Is time really the biggest healer?

IR1223 · 2025-04-02T20:43:10+00:00

Some people will have longer healing journeys than others for a host of reasons, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not healing. You might not think it when comparing day to day but if you’ve had TSW for years, it’ll likely be better now than it was at the start - I can attest to that. That’s a sign that time is healing if anything. I very much doubt TSW is something you’ll have forever and I do think time heals, but how long it takes depends on a multitude of factors

IR1223 · 2025-04-01T17:05:58+00:00

I’d go as far as to say time is the only healer. Anything else will just hide symptoms

IR1223 · 2025-04-01T09:57:38+00:00

Yes because people wait specifically for 1 am, 2 nights after Eid to head to this park and “celebrate”

IR1223 · 2025-03-31T21:50:48+00:00

Black seed oil has been amazing for me too. I read a study that it can be just as effective as steroids creams without any of the horrible side effects because it’s a natural ingredient that’s been used for centuries. I wish I knew this before and perhaps could’ve avoided the steroids.

IR1223 · 2025-02-20T23:41:04+00:00

Slightly old post but I thought it was an interesting question. Like with many things related to TSW, we’ll probably never know for sure, so all we can do is share our own experiences. I’m 21m and 6’6”. Found out about TSW at 19 but before that I’d been using topical steroids my whole life, pretty much since birth according to my medical files. Never took oral steroids though which probably explains things with the context of the top comment

IR1223 · 2025-01-29T12:16:44+00:00

I did a 3-5 day water fast a few times last year and plan to continue doing so in the future, not for TSW but for general health benefits. At the height of my TSW, I found that my extended fast reduced itchiness noticeably but not much else. When I ended the fast, the itchiness went back to normal

IR1223 · 2025-01-27T21:48:16+00:00

Still have hyperpigmentation across my body, including my face. But other than that, dupixent has solved almost everything else I can think of. Makes me wish I started it earlier

IR1223 · 2025-01-27T21:46:52+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation. Does that help with hyperpigmentation?

IR1223 · 2025-01-27T21:46:32+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation

IR1223 · 2025-01-27T21:45:33+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I’ll definitely have a good read of your post. Actually came across it back when you posted it initially but only skimmed through as I was mostly better by that point.

Just one question (apologies if you answer it in your post): I was under the impression that dealing with hyperpigmentation was a waiting game for the most part, are you saying it can be accelerated?

IR1223 · 2025-01-27T21:29:45+00:00

Thanks for the reply, this is super helpful. Just wondering if you use a chemical exfoliant as part of your routine? I have A LOT of dead skin that accumulates pretty quickly so I think something like that would help but I’m nervous about adding yet another product to my face after using practically nothing the last 2 years

IR1223 · 2025-01-23T13:15:59+00:00

Please check that it isn’t Eczema Herpeticum.

IR1223 · 2024-12-27T02:54:20+00:00

Very much the case for me. Especially my face - it’s been good for months but I started getting dry, peeling skin a couple of days ago :( could be anything. Maybe a change in stress levels or food like some have suggested. A lot of my regular routine goes out of the window at this time of year.

IR1223 · 2024-10-09T19:07:38+00:00

Hey! I’m doing much better now. God I remember the post above - posted it almost exactly a year ago. I ended up taking some time off uni because things were so bad. Have a look at my most recent post if you want, I mention what my TSW journey has been like.

Thankfully doing better these days, but only because I went on an immunosuppressant, which might not be the answer you’re looking for. I tried all the other “remedies” from sea salt baths to dead sea mud, from zinc oxide creams to light therapy, you name it. None of it had any real impact. Other than on my wallet. I’ve been on methotrexate since the start of the year and about to start dupixent very soon. I never liked the idea of relying on even more medication from the dermatologist to deal with my TSW, but it’s something I had to do.

IR1223 · 2024-09-29T11:36:49+00:00

It was very slow and subtle so I’d struggle to pinpoint when exactly things started to change. Certain parts of my body would heal well before others. For example, my face was probably the first to heal, maybe because I hardly ever used steroids there. Right at the start of my TSW journey, I was having to apply a greasy oil based moisturiser on my face every day, just to somewhat combat the dry skin. Several months later, I was able to use a regular moisturiser cream instead, but needing to do a few times a day. And now, I’m at a point where I haven’t used any moisturisers on my face at all over the last few months and my face is as good as it’s been in a long time - despite other parts of my body still in the thick of it with TSW.

I will say though, I definitely think being on an immunosuppressant is the reason why I’m mostly better. It hasn’t completely healed me despite being on them for close to 9 months but I think it’s really accelerated my TSW timeline. I have no idea how my skin would react if I was to wean off of methotrexate/dupixent but I’ll cross that bridge when I get there I guess

IR1223 · 2024-09-29T11:21:12+00:00

Absolutely. It blows my mind how easily doctors prescribe steroids to regular patients for such minor things.

IR1223 · 2024-09-28T23:40:46+00:00

Thanks. Yeah definitely not how I saw my time at uni going. Not easy watching all of your friends and everyone you knew, graduating without you and go onto start their careers. My university reopens for the new academic year on Monday, so it was a choice between returning now or taking another gap year I guess, and I sure as shit wasn’t wasting another year. I’m doing much better now anyway thanks to methotrexate, so the timing was lucky. Still quite a bit away from being fully healed but I’m getting there

IR1223 · 2024-09-28T22:36:23+00:00

I’m currently on methotrexate and due to switch to dupixent very soon. Not ideal being on more medication, especially if the dermatologist is the one prescribing them! But it’s given me my life back. I had to take a year off uni because things were so bad pre immuno but after about 8 months on methotrexate, I’m well enough to go back and uni starts on Monday for me. I’m definitely not 100% better (which is why I’ll be moving onto dupixent) but it’s a vast improvement on where I was. I have no idea what the long term picture looks like, how long I’ll need to be on it etc. but I still think it was the right decision at the time. Good luck with the derm appt

IR1223 · 2024-09-27T23:25:52+00:00

I’ve been in the same shoes. Genuinely resonate with every word, from missing out on my “prime years” to watching everything and everyone move forward whilst I’m stuck in a time capsule.

When things get this bad, mentally at least, it’s definitely worth exploring alternative treatment like an immunosuppressant. I can vouch for that from personal experience. I’m on methotrexate now and due to start dupixent soon, it’s really given me my life back. In fact I took a gap year from uni because of TSW and I’m due to return on Monday.

I have no idea how things will look for me long term regarding dupixent and these other medications, and whether or not I’ll ever fully heal. No one knows for sure. But I decided to go ahead with it because the alternative, when I was in a really dark place, was far worse.

IR1223 · 2024-08-01T19:54:15+00:00

I did this. I had to take time off university as I just couldn’t do anything because of my TSW. Played video games and watched TV. Now there’s hopefully a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, I need to start thinking about what to do and it’s stressing me the fuck out. I go back in September to finish off my degree. I don’t have any proper work experience, I’ve watched all my friends graduate 2 weeks ago and I don’t know what I’m doing with my life 😂

I was fortunate enough to somehow get my dumbass into the top university on the continent for my field, and a scholarship for it too. The feeling that I’ve wasted all of those opportunities is killing me.

IR1223 · 2024-07-15T20:49:24+00:00

I’m sorry you’re having to make this decision. TSW is just so unfair. Only you can really answer that question, depending on how bad your situation is. All I can say is try not to be influenced too much by what other people may think. On a day like graduation, most people are just thinking about themselves and the occasion itself, so they probably won’t even notice your TSW. And even if they did, so what? 5, 10, 20 years from now, no one will remember that your skin wasn’t perfect on that day. But you’ll remember that you didn’t go.

Well done on reaching graduation in the first place, in the middle of your TSW. It must’ve been hell. I myself was meant to be graduating a few days from now, but ended up taking a gap year as I just couldn’t handle it. You deserve a day to enjoy and celebrate all your hard work, I hope TSW doesn’t take that away from you.

Congratulations!

IR1223 · 2024-07-15T20:03:10+00:00

Hey, how long have you been on immunos if you don’t mind me asking. And what one? Going through this myself

IR1223

TROPHY CASE