Wow, that flare was way worse, way longer, and took way longer to recover from than I was expecting. I am not fully recovered, but I'd say I'm back to 95% and at a level I can live with permanently if that is in the cards. I am thinking that maybe that may be case for me as I recall something I have not mentioned before. When I was very young, likely like 10 or so, I had radiation treatments on my wrists and the top of my feet. Well, guess what areas are the still giving me grief.
Also, as a very young child, before age six, I lived in Richland, Washington and am considered a "Downwinder"; those that were exposed to Iodine-131 releases from the Hanford nuclear reactors. Iodine-131 settled on grasslands, was eaten by dairy cows, and ended up in the milk supply. Iodine-131, when ingested, ends up in the thyroid gland and can damage it. Several years ago I had half of my thyroid removed after a cancer scare. It was benign, but what is left of my thyroid is toast and I take thyroid hormones daily.
I mention all this because it may help explain why my TSW is lasting so long for me and to give a little hope for long-term topical steroid users going through TSW. Your recovery may be much quicker than mine.
No pictures, as I look terrible, but only because I am 62 years old. Haha! I am hoping to improve that with diet and exercise changes, especially since my last check-up indicated changes are needed. Nothing serious, just a few indicators pushing limits.
Now if we can just survive our current presidency. I don't like to get political on this blog, but I must give, especially to anyone reading this that is not from the US, an apology for our current, and hopefully short term, president. Trump is an embarrassment to any rational free-thinking human being, and he does not deserve to be near my daughters, let alone to be the most powerful leader in the free world. TSW is fueled by stress, and he is not helping one bit.
Hugs from Texas!
