Help Grace receive treatment to get her life back!
Papamoa Beach, Papamoa
Dear family and friends
Or for those who don't know me I am Grace and I am going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). TSW is a horrific iatrogenic condition, meaning it is caused by medical treatment.
Put simply TSW is a drug withdrawal unlike any other.
For more information please head to www.itsan.org
Daily I suffer with burning skin, a bone-deep itch, oozing, crusting, nerve pain, and inflamed redness, after using steroids as prescribed by doctors and dermatologists for eczema, for 22 years.
The creams were not working, so I was prescribed stronger ones. Eventually they stopped working and I was prescribed oral steroids and after those failed to work I started to do some research. In 2020 I discovered that I had Topical Steroid Addiction (TSA) so I quit all steroids; both topical and oral. I have been suffering from TSW for 3 years in the hope that my body will recover from the damage. I have tried every diet, non-steroidal cream, light therapy, gut repair, supplement, herb, and naturopath available in NZ.
I have become so unwell that I struggle to work and don't have much of a life outside of it. I try to sleep to help me heal, but I have not had a comfortable full nights sleep in 3 years.
So, I am raising funds to go to Thailand where I can receive Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) treatment. This is proving very successful for TSW sufferers.
I would live in Thailand for 4-6 months and receive excellent care at every stage of the healing process from Jay at The CAP Clinic.
Funds will be used towards flights, accommodation, and treatment costs.
Update - Post CAP Treatment 17 April 2024
Hi everyone!
I will try keep this short...
I have now been back from Bangkok for about 5 weeks.
There was a lot of anxiety leaving the safety of the machine, the great team at the clinic and the knowledge and support from Jay (clinic director).
However, I am stoked to say (aside from an eczema herpeticum infection a couple of weeks ago) I am doing extremely well!
I still have approximately 6 years of withdrawal to get through, but I now have the best knowledge for how to get through this.
I can absolutely say I would not be where I am today without the support of all of you who donated to help get me to Bangkok for treatment and for that I will be eternally grateful.
Grace McMillan (yes we got married!!!)
Thank you so much Susan. After a not so great day yesterday you have made my week. Thank you so much. X
Thank you so much Sarah and Brendon! Hope all is well back home. X
Thank you so so so much! Your very kind donation will go very far! X
Thank you so much Judith! You are very kind. X
Thank you so much Maree!!! X
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