March 9, 2025 • 19 mins
For four and a half years, Becky Bouterey has been battling withdrawal from topical steroids. Becky began using topical steroids to help manage her eczema that she has been dealing with since childhood.
In this episode, Toni chats with Becky about her life since she stopped using topical steroids, and her upcoming treatment that's taking her to Thailand
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We need to Talk Conversations on wellness with coasfm's Tony Street.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Hello, welcome to We need to Talk. We need to
talk steroids today. They're a wonder drug that can literally
save lives. I've personally been taking them for over ten
years now for my autoimmune condition. But they don't come
without side effects. People endure things like high blood pressure,
wait gain, insomnia, bone thinning, among other things. But sometimes
people react to these steroids, and in Becky Bouteret's case,
(00:29):
she's been suffering badly with a condition called topical steroid
withdrawal for the past four years. The symptoms include redness,
are burning, sensation, itchiness, and peeling. It's got so bad
that she's now at the point where she's considering going
overseas to get help because there's nothing that seems to
be able to be done here in New Zealand. Becky,
(00:50):
when I saw your photo, I just I nearly cried
because I just thought that poor woman, you have been
through hell the last four years.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, been pretty fair reflect to say the least. Yeah,
how did I not recognizing myself too?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Oh my gosh, Like, how did this come about? And
when you told me you'd been like this. Having this
for four years, I couldn't believe it.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Yeah, So I've had exner my whole life since I
was a young child, and I used steroids on and off.
So growing up, Mom didn't use them on my skin
too frequently because the doctors always well not to use
them for too long, so we.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Didn't use them too often.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And my skin I was with an X meth kid Like,
I kind of just put up with like that exner
and the symptoms that came with the a lot of
the time. And then throughout intermediate, high school and university,
my skin was gorgeous, like I really like you never cook.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
I had each SMA.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I might get a little bit of flea out from
time to time, but then it kind.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Of got worse in my adult years.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
So in twenty fifteen, I had a flear and that's
when I kind of started using this steroids a bit
more regularly.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
When you say steroids, can we just clarify here, you
mean like creams that you put on your skin.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Yeah, Fajer quarter zone that you put on your skin.
So I used pati quorterzone. And then when it got
really bad is in twenty eighteen, I put chlorine in
the water here in christ Church.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
And that's when things just flipped for me and I
had the biggest.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Reaction to the chlorine where I couldn't even shower. It
was just burning my skin. And I went to a
local dorm here in christ Church and she put me
on a really really long and intense protocol for steroids.
So I was on both topical and oral and I
was on that.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
For months and did it help.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Oh my gosh, my skin looked incredible. It was like insane.
It was the most gorgeous my skin had ever looked.
And then when I stopped the protocol, I was having
more regular fliers and I think they were steroid and
juice flears because I got a filter from the house
which eliminated the chlorine issue. And then, yeah, I use
(03:03):
them a bit more regularly, probably a few times a week.
Put a hydroquorterzone on my face and then a lacon
which is one hundred times stronger than the hydro quarter zone.
I was using it on little parts of my body.
And then in about twenty twenty, around COVID times, I
noticed that my skin was just getting worse and the
(03:24):
steroids stopped working.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
And at that point what did you do At.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
That point, I went to the doctors and they said, well,
we need to put you on stronger steroids.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
And I was like, well that that didn't downright. I
was like, because I ended up back in this situation,
like when does it? When does that stop?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
And just through a whole heap of research myself, I
came across.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
I came around a few.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Profiles on Instagram, and I was getting a thing called
redskin syndrome.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
So my skimmer present.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Normal color during the day, and then all of a sudden,
my whole face, like around here was just and it
was for that thing.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
And I was like, it looks like some burnt they
worked an office. I wasn't some burnt.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
And then I was just so much research and that
kind of came across someone and she was she was
sharing her journey on Instagram on top call Cereid withdrill
and talking about the redskins syndrome and all the signs
and there, and I was like, I felt like I
was talking in the mirror.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
I was like, this is exactly my possession. And my
skin was.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Just weeping and oozing, and I was breaking up duck
and my pillow because my face.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Was and yeah, that's kind of Then I made.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
The cause like I need to stop these steroids, like
they're not even helping, and you know, I can need
to go through the withdrill from them.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
And here I am four and a half years later
to going through it.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
I just I just look at you, and I just
I can tell how desperate you are. I'm so sorry.
So what have you tried to help?
Speaker 3 (04:53):
I've tried literally everything under the sun. I've tried naturopathy.
I've done gut pierce. I've done lots of gut healing.
I've done allergy and sensitivity testing. I've tried supplements.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
I've done different diets, creams.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
I've tried homeopathy, Chinese medicine, even I've.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Done at Punctuary.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Even brought a big led red light panel for home
to do light therapy. I even brought it for really
Swaarner to try help. But I mean, in this condition,
I can't really use it. I've tried immuno supresence, but
they gave me awful side effects. I've done limp emphatic
messages to try help my lymph system. I've done hypnotherapy,
(05:41):
Reikie healing, and I've put it how her filter on
the house, Like I've literally tried everything like you name it,
I've most likely tried it.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
But there is a bit of a glimmer of hope, right,
So you've found somewhere you can go.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Yes, So they the Treatments Center over Season Island. Unfortunately
they don't do this treatment here. It's called cat therapy
and it's a plasma machine and they put it on
your skin and what it does is it reverses skin thinning.
So my skin's been sopinned from using the steroids, and
(06:17):
that really takes years and years to reverse. So like
I'm constantly going through the flea as it's like it's
just still normal part of the cycle with story withdrawal.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
But this machine that they have, the treatment that they
do over the air.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
It thickens up your skin barrier by increasing your skin
proliferations and scale turnover. So yeah, it's a really effective
treatment for top or steary withdrawal.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
And I've spoken to a number.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Of people one key we actually who went about a
year and a half ago and had the treatment, and
I've all said it's changed their lives and they've got
their lives.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Back from it. So it's something that, yeah, I want
to give a crack.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
How long does that take to sort it out?
Speaker 4 (06:58):
That five months?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
I hope to be over there for five around five months,
and I'll be getting weekly treatment.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Can you describe what life has been like for you
the past four and a half years.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
It's been how it's been really uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
So usually before all this immer very outgoing, bubbly, active person,
and I'm always on the go, and I've always you know,
I'm very happy naturally, and naturally I've always been a
happy person. I've been quite lucky in that regard. But
the past four years it's consumed my life condition because
I'm constantly fearing him like this, I kept the moment
(07:40):
I can barely left my neck. Not sure if you
can see, but I've got like little under there from
the current fear.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
I'm actually coming out of fear at the moment. So
this is the best I've locked in about the past
three and a half weeks. You can probably see it,
like all in my arms.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
It looks so nasty, it really is.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
It's hard to daily paths. Yeah, and it's just been uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
It's taken over my social life, Like I you know
the amount of events I've missed out on weddings, birthdays
and just social things like I can't do a lot
of daily things, like.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
At the moment, I can't go to the gym.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I struggle to do things that involve bending my fingers
because I've got it all on my hands and like
bending my arms very uncomfortable. Yeah, it's frustrating because I
just want to wake up and have the freedom to
go about my day and do the things I want
to do.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Like I love to get up and just go to the.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Gym and then get into work and you know, just
do what all the people do.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Can't really do that at the.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Moment of the process that you've gone through and all
of the remedies that you've been prescribed, what part of
that process has gone so wrong? Do you think, I think.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Just using the steroids. But I mean, growing up, I've
always been told just I think it's just Western medicine
a bit.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
You know that with the it's that this is the
way I am, I'm born this way, there's nothing I
can do about it, and that these steroids will fix you.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
This is your answer.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
So that's always been what's been planted in my head
and what I kind of knew to believe, and it
wasn't actually until twenty nineteen. I started a new job
and I kind of have had gut issues and everything too.
And I was at my desk and I was hunched
over one day and one of my colleagues came up
to me and.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
He's like, big spot's wrong. Why you're hunched over?
Speaker 3 (09:28):
And I was like, oh, just as there's just like
regular for me, you know, just always better saw tummy.
And he's like, no, that's not normal, and he's like,
you need to go see a natural path because I
kind of explained, like he knew I was having skinn
issues and stuff too, and he said, go see a
natropath and try and work out like your sensitivities and
what you're reactive to and you know, do if I'm
(09:49):
gut here and stuff. And I was like, Okay, this
sounds untruting you. I'll give that a crack. So I
did that, and then that's when I started working out
my sensitivities. I did a bunch of allergy testing and
sensitivity testing, so I worked out my triggers in environmental
ones and everything. So I wish I had a home
on that stuff.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
I many years ago before using the steroids, but I
just I just didn't.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
If anyone is in the position where they are using steroids,
I highly highly recommend trying to work out your triggers
as to why you're using them in the first place.
So for example, like if it's in your diet or
you know your child's flearing, are they having like the
top five reactive foods like dairy, gluten, eggs, nuts, and soy, they.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
Are like the top five. So I would highly.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Recommend trying to maybe avoid the imagesity if you know
it's the difference, and even something in your environment could
be triggering you. So if you've got chloring in the water,
which is a big thing that set me off and
actually put me in this big crappy situation on the end,
if you've got curing in the water, try getting a filter.
You know, anything else in the environment like dust mites
(10:57):
or even peet dander an offer. Yeah, just try work
out be your own investigator and try to work out
what's causing the fleas, because you don't just flear.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
People don't just be exmith. There's always something behind it.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
It could be stressed, Yeah, it could be you know
those things I mentioned.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
And it seems really cruel because there are a lot
of people that use steroids and they don't end up
like you.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Yes, I know, yeah, and you.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Have no idea why you specifically and do you even
know other people that have got this in New Zealand?
Speaker 3 (11:29):
I do, actually, well I've graced through the girl that
recently went over to the treatment.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
But since coming out of my story, it is incredible the.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
Amount of people that have message to me and have
commented and just said, oh my goodness. I have had
someone of myself or someone close to me, like a child,
a family member or a friend go through their sex
same thing, and they're like, I can empathize with you
because I know exactly what you're going through, and that's
been quite I just support and.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Just knowing I'm not the only person that's been really
nice to hear.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
And then also I actually have an old flatmate and
he contacted me a few months ago and he's like, oh,
when you lived with me, actually he mentioned he was
using steroids and I was like, oh, don't use them,
many like get off them if you can.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Like kind of sensitive too, and then he was like, oh,
I'll be fine.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
But then recently he contacted me and he's like, I'm
so addicted to the steroids.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
I can't stop.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
And he's like, I can't go thirty minutes without using them,
and then my skin just fly.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
Is Oh, he's.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Putting off the withdrawal because he's seen me, and he's
obviously petting people online who have come out about it,
and he's just dreading hiving to do the withdrawal.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
So without this treatment, are you saying you'll be constantly
like this? Is that where you're heading.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Everyone's different and the time frame depends on how much
you've used in the period of time. So I don't
know how long I'll be going through it for like
youually it gets better as you know, as time goes on.
(13:07):
But the past year and a half has been really tough.
Like I've had little bits of normality in between, but
it just hasn't lasted long and it's just constantly.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
Heaving the flares.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
And yeah, so going overseas, in this treatment it's beat
it up by five times.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
So every treatment you have it will speed up the
process by five weeks.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Wow, Well, gosh, you just do anything.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
I'm just desperate at the stage, I'm like, it's taken
over my life, and I'm like it got to the
point where, like, mentally I can handle quite a lot,
but I'm like, mentally, it's got to the point where
I actually can't take this anymore. Like I'm ad, I'm depressed,
and I'm not naturally like that, so I'm like, I
need to do.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
Something about it.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yeah, and good on you for researching yourself. What's me
a little bit angry is that you couldn't find any
answers here in New Zealand, Like who is there to help?
Speaker 4 (14:05):
No one, there's no one, Like the doctors and the Jews.
They're just not educated on this stuff.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
I've had a coup so many type of doctors who
are aware of it, and they're like, oh yeah, like
they recognize it's a thing, but others don't. Like last year,
I went to the Doom because I was I was
just juggling so much. I just could barely move. I
was waking up glue to my sheets, and I was like,
I need a bit of assistance. And she started googling
the symptoms of the theory of jewel so she didn't though,
(14:37):
But there's just no help pretty here. Like you can
go on immunosuppressants but suppress the symptoms. And the nice
thing is that they can eat into the withdraal period.
But they come with side effects and I tried that
for a few months and I got a bad side
effects the to come off them. So yeah, this treatment
over in Thailand, the cat treatment is.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
The most promising thing and it's effective.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
It's not like I go over there, I pay all
this money and get the treatment and it's like it
could work. It's it's it will work, it will it
will put me in a better position. I might not
be one hundred percent, but even if I'm fifty percent
better than I am, and that's going to be a
huge improvement.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
What sort of money are we talking to get it done.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
I'm looking at to do five months there for the treatment,
including accommodation and flights and visas. I'm looking at around
twenty five to thirty thousand dollars, So it's a lot
of money.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
But at this point, you're you're doing anything right.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
I was, Yeah, I'm like, I just got my life back.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
And one of the things that's really like, I've follow
people's journeys over the years who have had the treatment,
and I've seen them before, I've seen them during, I've
seen them after, and all of them have just raved
about it and said, this has been life changing. And
I've seen the proof of the pudding. I've seen their skin,
and i've seen you know, their condition improved. But I
looked after my niece over Christmas time, or my sister
(16:04):
and brother and I had a wedding and I really
want children.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
One day and I was looking after we eat Makebawn.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
I was struggling like I was on the flea, and
I was just like the clear was so minor computer
what I am at the moment.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
But I was just like I realized. I was like
I could not have kids in this condition, Like it
would be so tough, Like I.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Struggle daily just on my own, and I was like,
I can't want children.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
So I was like I need to do something about this.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
And I was just like thinking, like do I go
to Chaila, do I just bite the bullet, just go
over and you know, do this, and like it seems
a dream to go there for five months.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
You know, I'm leaving my partner, I'm leaving my friends,
my family, but I just need to do it.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
You've got to think about your quality of life and
at the moment, if you can't even leave the house,
then this, you know, it's your only option. Speaking of
your friends and family, how are they coping with this?
Because having to watch you go through this day and
day out must be terrible.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Yeah, it's been. It's been tough on them to witness.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
And the thing is, I just haven't been able to
do a lot, which is a hard thing.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
Like a very supportive enough.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
They've been able to help in terms of like helping
around the house with cleaning and like the lawns and
you know, different things, running errands for me, So that helped.
That definitely helped where they can. But yeah, they want
to see the end to this for me, so all
hopeful and excited about the thought of me getting the treatment.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Getting Bicky back.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
And I absolutely give up to you too for sharing
your story because it's not an easy thing to do.
And like you say, when you share your story, you
find these actually other people and you might be helping
other people just even consider their steroid use to make
sure that it's the right thing for them as well.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Yes, definitely.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Yeah, Well, when I was like thinking about it, I
was like do I go out there and do I
hear my story? And I was like, you know, it's
pretty vulnerable sharing my especially in the state that it's been,
and I was just like, no, I'll share it. And
I did it, and I'm so glad I have because
if it even just helps one person not end up
in my position, then that's all.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
When I would hate to see anyone else go for this.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Yeah, I feel like anyone that listens to this is
going to go. You need to get to Thailand. Can
you just let us know how we can support you.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
So there's a give a little page up there, and
if anyone is in the position.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
To donate or would like to, then I would honestly
massively appreciate any donation, no matter how small. And I
was going to say a huge thank you to everyone
who has donated to make it a little that you
are incredible and I see each and everyone that comes
through and appreciate everything.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Well, Becky, I'm not going to say if when you
go to Thailand, all the best and I'd love to
talk to you when you come back, get that frame
months done and hopefully you'll be a much happier human.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
Yes, would be incredible.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
We need to talk with Coast FM's Tony Street. If
you enjoyed the podcast, click to share with family or friends.
To get in touch, email we need to talk at Costonline,
dot co, dot MZ
We need to Talk Conversations on wellness with coasfm's Tony Street.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Hello, welcome to We need to Talk. We need to
talk steroids today. They're a wonder drug that can literally
save lives. I've personally been taking them for over ten
years now for my autoimmune condition. But they don't come
without side effects. People endure things like high blood pressure,
wait gain, insomnia, bone thinning, among other things. But sometimes
people react to these steroids, and in Becky Bouteret's case,
(00:29):
she's been suffering badly with a condition called topical steroid
withdrawal for the past four years. The symptoms include redness,
are burning, sensation, itchiness, and peeling. It's got so bad
that she's now at the point where she's considering going
overseas to get help because there's nothing that seems to
be able to be done here in New Zealand. Becky,
(00:50):
when I saw your photo, I just I nearly cried
because I just thought that poor woman, you have been
through hell the last four years.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, been pretty fair reflect to say the least. Yeah,
how did I not recognizing myself too?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Oh my gosh, Like, how did this come about? And
when you told me you'd been like this. Having this
for four years, I couldn't believe it.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Yeah, So I've had exner my whole life since I
was a young child, and I used steroids on and off.
So growing up, Mom didn't use them on my skin
too frequently because the doctors always well not to use
them for too long, so we.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Didn't use them too often.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And my skin I was with an X meth kid Like,
I kind of just put up with like that exner
and the symptoms that came with the a lot of
the time. And then throughout intermediate, high school and university,
my skin was gorgeous, like I really like you never cook.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
I had each SMA.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I might get a little bit of flea out from
time to time, but then it kind.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Of got worse in my adult years.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
So in twenty fifteen, I had a flear and that's
when I kind of started using this steroids a bit
more regularly.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
When you say steroids, can we just clarify here, you
mean like creams that you put on your skin.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Yeah, Fajer quarter zone that you put on your skin.
So I used pati quorterzone. And then when it got
really bad is in twenty eighteen, I put chlorine in
the water here in christ Church.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
And that's when things just flipped for me and I
had the biggest.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Reaction to the chlorine where I couldn't even shower. It
was just burning my skin. And I went to a
local dorm here in christ Church and she put me
on a really really long and intense protocol for steroids.
So I was on both topical and oral and I
was on that.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
For months and did it help.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Oh my gosh, my skin looked incredible. It was like insane.
It was the most gorgeous my skin had ever looked.
And then when I stopped the protocol, I was having
more regular fliers and I think they were steroid and
juice flears because I got a filter from the house
which eliminated the chlorine issue. And then, yeah, I use
(03:03):
them a bit more regularly, probably a few times a week.
Put a hydroquorterzone on my face and then a lacon
which is one hundred times stronger than the hydro quarter zone.
I was using it on little parts of my body.
And then in about twenty twenty, around COVID times, I
noticed that my skin was just getting worse and the
(03:24):
steroids stopped working.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
And at that point what did you do At.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
That point, I went to the doctors and they said, well,
we need to put you on stronger steroids.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
And I was like, well that that didn't downright. I
was like, because I ended up back in this situation,
like when does it? When does that stop?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
And just through a whole heap of research myself, I
came across.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
I came around a few.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Profiles on Instagram, and I was getting a thing called
redskin syndrome.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
So my skimmer present.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Normal color during the day, and then all of a sudden,
my whole face, like around here was just and it
was for that thing.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
And I was like, it looks like some burnt they
worked an office. I wasn't some burnt.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
And then I was just so much research and that
kind of came across someone and she was she was
sharing her journey on Instagram on top call Cereid withdrill
and talking about the redskins syndrome and all the signs
and there, and I was like, I felt like I
was talking in the mirror.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
I was like, this is exactly my possession. And my
skin was.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Just weeping and oozing, and I was breaking up duck
and my pillow because my face.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Was and yeah, that's kind of Then I made.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
The cause like I need to stop these steroids, like
they're not even helping, and you know, I can need
to go through the withdrill from them.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
And here I am four and a half years later
to going through it.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
I just I just look at you, and I just
I can tell how desperate you are. I'm so sorry.
So what have you tried to help?
Speaker 3 (04:53):
I've tried literally everything under the sun. I've tried naturopathy.
I've done gut pierce. I've done lots of gut healing.
I've done allergy and sensitivity testing. I've tried supplements.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
I've done different diets, creams.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
I've tried homeopathy, Chinese medicine, even I've.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Done at Punctuary.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Even brought a big led red light panel for home
to do light therapy. I even brought it for really
Swaarner to try help. But I mean, in this condition,
I can't really use it. I've tried immuno supresence, but
they gave me awful side effects. I've done limp emphatic
messages to try help my lymph system. I've done hypnotherapy,
(05:41):
Reikie healing, and I've put it how her filter on
the house, Like I've literally tried everything like you name it,
I've most likely tried it.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
But there is a bit of a glimmer of hope, right,
So you've found somewhere you can go.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Yes, So they the Treatments Center over Season Island. Unfortunately
they don't do this treatment here. It's called cat therapy
and it's a plasma machine and they put it on
your skin and what it does is it reverses skin thinning.
So my skin's been sopinned from using the steroids, and
(06:17):
that really takes years and years to reverse. So like
I'm constantly going through the flea as it's like it's
just still normal part of the cycle with story withdrawal.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
But this machine that they have, the treatment that they
do over the air.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
It thickens up your skin barrier by increasing your skin
proliferations and scale turnover. So yeah, it's a really effective
treatment for top or steary withdrawal.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
And I've spoken to a number.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Of people one key we actually who went about a
year and a half ago and had the treatment, and
I've all said it's changed their lives and they've got
their lives.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Back from it. So it's something that, yeah, I want
to give a crack.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
How long does that take to sort it out?
Speaker 4 (06:58):
That five months?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
I hope to be over there for five around five months,
and I'll be getting weekly treatment.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Can you describe what life has been like for you
the past four and a half years.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
It's been how it's been really uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
So usually before all this immer very outgoing, bubbly, active person,
and I'm always on the go, and I've always you know,
I'm very happy naturally, and naturally I've always been a
happy person. I've been quite lucky in that regard. But
the past four years it's consumed my life condition because
I'm constantly fearing him like this, I kept the moment
(07:40):
I can barely left my neck. Not sure if you
can see, but I've got like little under there from
the current fear.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
I'm actually coming out of fear at the moment. So
this is the best I've locked in about the past
three and a half weeks. You can probably see it,
like all in my arms.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
It looks so nasty, it really is.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
It's hard to daily paths. Yeah, and it's just been uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
It's taken over my social life, Like I you know
the amount of events I've missed out on weddings, birthdays
and just social things like I can't do a lot
of daily things, like.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
At the moment, I can't go to the gym.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I struggle to do things that involve bending my fingers
because I've got it all on my hands and like
bending my arms very uncomfortable. Yeah, it's frustrating because I
just want to wake up and have the freedom to
go about my day and do the things I want
to do.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Like I love to get up and just go to the.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Gym and then get into work and you know, just
do what all the people do.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Can't really do that at the.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Moment of the process that you've gone through and all
of the remedies that you've been prescribed, what part of
that process has gone so wrong? Do you think, I think.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Just using the steroids. But I mean, growing up, I've
always been told just I think it's just Western medicine
a bit.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
You know that with the it's that this is the
way I am, I'm born this way, there's nothing I
can do about it, and that these steroids will fix you.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
This is your answer.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
So that's always been what's been planted in my head
and what I kind of knew to believe, and it
wasn't actually until twenty nineteen. I started a new job
and I kind of have had gut issues and everything too.
And I was at my desk and I was hunched
over one day and one of my colleagues came up
to me and.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
He's like, big spot's wrong. Why you're hunched over?
Speaker 3 (09:28):
And I was like, oh, just as there's just like
regular for me, you know, just always better saw tummy.
And he's like, no, that's not normal, and he's like,
you need to go see a natural path because I
kind of explained, like he knew I was having skinn
issues and stuff too, and he said, go see a
natropath and try and work out like your sensitivities and
what you're reactive to and you know, do if I'm
(09:49):
gut here and stuff. And I was like, Okay, this
sounds untruting you. I'll give that a crack. So I
did that, and then that's when I started working out
my sensitivities. I did a bunch of allergy testing and
sensitivity testing, so I worked out my triggers in environmental
ones and everything. So I wish I had a home
on that stuff.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
I many years ago before using the steroids, but I
just I just didn't.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
If anyone is in the position where they are using steroids,
I highly highly recommend trying to work out your triggers
as to why you're using them in the first place.
So for example, like if it's in your diet or
you know your child's flearing, are they having like the
top five reactive foods like dairy, gluten, eggs, nuts, and soy, they.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
Are like the top five. So I would highly.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Recommend trying to maybe avoid the imagesity if you know
it's the difference, and even something in your environment could
be triggering you. So if you've got chloring in the water,
which is a big thing that set me off and
actually put me in this big crappy situation on the end,
if you've got curing in the water, try getting a filter.
You know, anything else in the environment like dust mites
(10:57):
or even peet dander an offer. Yeah, just try work
out be your own investigator and try to work out
what's causing the fleas, because you don't just flear.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
People don't just be exmith. There's always something behind it.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
It could be stressed, Yeah, it could be you know
those things I mentioned.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
And it seems really cruel because there are a lot
of people that use steroids and they don't end up
like you.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Yes, I know, yeah, and you.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Have no idea why you specifically and do you even
know other people that have got this in New Zealand?
Speaker 3 (11:29):
I do, actually, well I've graced through the girl that
recently went over to the treatment.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
But since coming out of my story, it is incredible the.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
Amount of people that have message to me and have
commented and just said, oh my goodness. I have had
someone of myself or someone close to me, like a child,
a family member or a friend go through their sex
same thing, and they're like, I can empathize with you
because I know exactly what you're going through, and that's
been quite I just support and.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Just knowing I'm not the only person that's been really
nice to hear.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
And then also I actually have an old flatmate and
he contacted me a few months ago and he's like, oh,
when you lived with me, actually he mentioned he was
using steroids and I was like, oh, don't use them,
many like get off them if you can.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Like kind of sensitive too, and then he was like, oh,
I'll be fine.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
But then recently he contacted me and he's like, I'm
so addicted to the steroids.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
I can't stop.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
And he's like, I can't go thirty minutes without using them,
and then my skin just fly.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
Is Oh, he's.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Putting off the withdrawal because he's seen me, and he's
obviously petting people online who have come out about it,
and he's just dreading hiving to do the withdrawal.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
So without this treatment, are you saying you'll be constantly
like this? Is that where you're heading.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Everyone's different and the time frame depends on how much
you've used in the period of time. So I don't
know how long I'll be going through it for like
youually it gets better as you know, as time goes on.
(13:07):
But the past year and a half has been really tough.
Like I've had little bits of normality in between, but
it just hasn't lasted long and it's just constantly.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
Heaving the flares.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
And yeah, so going overseas, in this treatment it's beat
it up by five times.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
So every treatment you have it will speed up the
process by five weeks.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Wow, Well, gosh, you just do anything.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
I'm just desperate at the stage, I'm like, it's taken
over my life, and I'm like it got to the
point where, like, mentally I can handle quite a lot,
but I'm like, mentally, it's got to the point where
I actually can't take this anymore. Like I'm ad, I'm depressed,
and I'm not naturally like that, so I'm like, I
need to do.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
Something about it.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yeah, and good on you for researching yourself. What's me
a little bit angry is that you couldn't find any
answers here in New Zealand, Like who is there to help?
Speaker 4 (14:05):
No one, there's no one, Like the doctors and the Jews.
They're just not educated on this stuff.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
I've had a coup so many type of doctors who
are aware of it, and they're like, oh yeah, like
they recognize it's a thing, but others don't. Like last year,
I went to the Doom because I was I was
just juggling so much. I just could barely move. I
was waking up glue to my sheets, and I was like,
I need a bit of assistance. And she started googling
the symptoms of the theory of jewel so she didn't though,
(14:37):
But there's just no help pretty here. Like you can
go on immunosuppressants but suppress the symptoms. And the nice
thing is that they can eat into the withdraal period.
But they come with side effects and I tried that
for a few months and I got a bad side
effects the to come off them. So yeah, this treatment
over in Thailand, the cat treatment is.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
The most promising thing and it's effective.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
It's not like I go over there, I pay all
this money and get the treatment and it's like it
could work. It's it's it will work, it will it
will put me in a better position. I might not
be one hundred percent, but even if I'm fifty percent
better than I am, and that's going to be a
huge improvement.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
What sort of money are we talking to get it done.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
I'm looking at to do five months there for the treatment,
including accommodation and flights and visas. I'm looking at around
twenty five to thirty thousand dollars, So it's a lot
of money.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
But at this point, you're you're doing anything right.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
I was, Yeah, I'm like, I just got my life back.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
And one of the things that's really like, I've follow
people's journeys over the years who have had the treatment,
and I've seen them before, I've seen them during, I've
seen them after, and all of them have just raved
about it and said, this has been life changing. And
I've seen the proof of the pudding. I've seen their skin,
and i've seen you know, their condition improved. But I
looked after my niece over Christmas time, or my sister
(16:04):
and brother and I had a wedding and I really
want children.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
One day and I was looking after we eat Makebawn.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
I was struggling like I was on the flea, and
I was just like the clear was so minor computer
what I am at the moment.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
But I was just like I realized. I was like
I could not have kids in this condition, Like it
would be so tough, Like I.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Struggle daily just on my own, and I was like,
I can't want children.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
So I was like I need to do something about this.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
And I was just like thinking, like do I go
to Chaila, do I just bite the bullet, just go
over and you know, do this, and like it seems
a dream to go there for five months.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
You know, I'm leaving my partner, I'm leaving my friends,
my family, but I just need to do it.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
You've got to think about your quality of life and
at the moment, if you can't even leave the house,
then this, you know, it's your only option. Speaking of
your friends and family, how are they coping with this?
Because having to watch you go through this day and
day out must be terrible.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Yeah, it's been. It's been tough on them to witness.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
And the thing is, I just haven't been able to
do a lot, which is a hard thing.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
Like a very supportive enough.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
They've been able to help in terms of like helping
around the house with cleaning and like the lawns and
you know, different things, running errands for me, So that helped.
That definitely helped where they can. But yeah, they want
to see the end to this for me, so all
hopeful and excited about the thought of me getting the treatment.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Getting Bicky back.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
And I absolutely give up to you too for sharing
your story because it's not an easy thing to do.
And like you say, when you share your story, you
find these actually other people and you might be helping
other people just even consider their steroid use to make
sure that it's the right thing for them as well.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Yes, definitely.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Yeah, Well, when I was like thinking about it, I
was like do I go out there and do I
hear my story? And I was like, you know, it's
pretty vulnerable sharing my especially in the state that it's been,
and I was just like, no, I'll share it. And
I did it, and I'm so glad I have because
if it even just helps one person not end up
in my position, then that's all.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
When I would hate to see anyone else go for this.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Yeah, I feel like anyone that listens to this is
going to go. You need to get to Thailand. Can
you just let us know how we can support you.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
So there's a give a little page up there, and
if anyone is in the position.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
To donate or would like to, then I would honestly
massively appreciate any donation, no matter how small. And I
was going to say a huge thank you to everyone
who has donated to make it a little that you
are incredible and I see each and everyone that comes
through and appreciate everything.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Well, Becky, I'm not going to say if when you
go to Thailand, all the best and I'd love to
talk to you when you come back, get that frame
months done and hopefully you'll be a much happier human.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
Yes, would be incredible.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
We need to talk with Coast FM's Tony Street. If
you enjoyed the podcast, click to share with family or friends.
To get in touch, email we need to talk at Costonline,
dot co, dot MZ
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