Advice from Someone in the Trenches of TSW

If you’re going through TSW right now, I want you to know something: healing is not linear, and neither is your worth tied to how “normal” your skin looks.

There will be days when you feel like giving up—when the itching, the burning, the shame, and the isolation feel unbearable. But please, hold on. Your body is fighting hard to restore balance, and every flake, every tear, every sleepless night means you’re one step closer to freedom.

Don’t let doctors or anyone else make you doubt your experience. Advocate for yourself, find a supportive community, and give your body the grace and time it needs.

Rest when you need to. Cry if you must. But never stop believing that you will get through this.

You are not broken. You’re healing.

Stay strong. You’re not alone.

TSW Advice: What Not to Do (Learn from My Mistakes)

If you’re in the middle of Topical Steroid Withdrawal, here are a few hard lessons I learned the difficult way—so maybe you don’t have to:

1. Don’t jump into every “miracle” product you see online.
   I know the desperation. But layering on creams, oils, or trendy treatments can often make things worse. Simplicity is key—let your skin breathe.

2. Don’t isolate yourself completely.
   It’s easy to withdraw from everyone when your skin is flaring. But isolation feeds depression. Find one safe person, or join a TSW support group. You don’t have to suffer in silence.

3. Don’t expect doctors to always understand.
   Sadly, many still don’t recognize TSW. Don’t waste your energy trying to convince those who won’t listen. Save that strength for healing.

4. Don’t compare your healing timeline to others.
   Everyone’s journey is different. Some heal in months, others in years. This is not a race—it’s survival, and your body is doing its best.

5. Don’t blame yourself.
   You didn’t fail. You were following medical advice, like anyone would. Your strength is in choosing to face the storm now. That takes courage.

Healing from TSW is brutal, but it’s also a rebirth. Avoid the traps, trust your process, and hold on. You’re not alone in this.