Latest news with #Karyn
Edinburgh Live
28-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Scottish mum says she has PTSD after withdrawal symptoms from prescription cream
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Scottish mum who has used steroid creams for 40 years said they have "ruined" her life - causing her skin to be crusty and in pain. Karyn Flett has used topical steroids to control her eczema for most of her life, since she was 10 years old. The 54-year-old from Thornton, Fife, has relied on repeat prescriptions to treat her condition. She stopped using them three years ago, but has noticed her symptoms getting much worse. Karyn suffers from topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), which left her skin raw, oozing and cracked. Despite receiving support from the NHS, she feels dermatologists are not open for discussions related to TSW. She said the visual aspect of her skin has given her PTSD and spent bed bound and house bound for three years due the "excruciating" pain. Karyn said: "It has affected my life in every way. My skin has always been an issue all through life. "It has ruined my life in every way - I have had to give up my beauty business that I have built over 16 years ago and had to stop working three years ago. "It is absolutely excruciatingly painful. The visual aspect of it has given me PTSD. I no longer even share a room with my husband anymore because it was triggering to have any body heat next to me." (Image: SWNS) Topical steroids are used to treat a range of skin conditions and is one of the most prescribed medications by GPs. But when prolonged use of steroids is stopped, some patients experience symptoms worse than their original condition, known as topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). Karyn believes that the creams have given her steroid induced eczema and that has been the cause of her eczema worsening through her adulthood. She said that people know how to use the creams however she claims that they "are not designed for long term use" and people are "using them as instructed by their dermatologist". She said: "I just basically had allergies - grass and pollen. I only had a small irritation patch that had come up so of course the first line was being given topical steroids. "Throughout history, like it happens to nearly everyone, the steroid creams do not get to the route of the problem. (Image: SWNS) "The problem would have been better to have been treated naturally and just avoiding allergens and irritants and moisturising." Her skin worsened and she had widespread burning, red sleeves and an increased allergic response. When she applied her topic steroids her skin would burn and would start to go into a "frenzied itch". It was when she realised it was red skins syndrome, also known as topical steroid addiction (TSA). In August 2022 she cut the creams from her life but she then quickly had to stop working as her health rapidly deteriorated. "My body shut down within days," Karyn said. I have spent nearly over a year being bed bound unable to move from bed. I have needed to be cared for. "My husband has had to take time off work at times. My youngest is a nurse she was ready to move in with her boyfriend but delayed that a year so that she could care for me at home." Patients and doctors are increasingly calling for more research into the treatment. And Karyn says her and more people are suffering debilitating reactions that are far worse than their initial condition. "Topical are definitely not safe - they have no safeguarding," she added. "I feel if I stopped my steroids maybe even ten years ago I think I still would have had a topical steroid withdrawal because I think I have been caused a skin condition by reapplying the creams. "As soon as the creams are removed the body goes into breakdown and needs them again." Despite her skin being better now due to the use of a strong immunosuppressant, often used for transplant or cancer patients, the medication can comes with tremendous side effects and therefore she will be out of it in the next months. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Karyn reiterates that TSW healing is not "linear" as it continues throughout months and years. She said: "I expect to maybe revert back to being unwell once I'm tapered off the immunosuppressant in July. "I'm just having symptoms managed but the drug that I'm taking is severe with awful side effects that can come with it, hence I can't stay on it. My dermatologist doesn't let me." Karyn found a community of people suffering from similar symptoms on TikTok. She said she receives messages from people all around the world with the same symptoms and struggles as her. "There's babies suffering from this and young people suffering from this," she added. A new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) determined that dermatitis resulting from TSW is distinct from eczema and is caused by an excess of an essential chemical compound in the body - called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a form of vitamin B3. Karyn hopes this new study brings some changes to the world of dermatology and that it is discussed in parliament. According to the National Eczema Society topical steroids are recommended by the NHS for treating eczema flare-ups and have been used for over 70 years. To follow Karyn's journey on topical steroid withdrawal check her Instagram on flawless_by_karyn_f and TikTok on @kflett3
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots mum with eczema says using steroid creams for 40 years 'has ruined life'
"It has ruined my life in every way - I have had to give up my beauty business that I have built over 16 years ago and had to stop working three years ago." A Scots mum who has used steroid creams for 40 years said they have "ruined" her life - causing her skin to be crusty and in pain. Karyn Flett, 54, has used topical steroids to control her eczema for most of her life, since she was 10 years old. The mum from Thornton in Fife, has relied on repeat prescriptions to treat her condition but stopped using them three years ago, but has noticed her symptoms getting much worse. Karyn says she now suffers from topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), which left her skin raw, oozing and cracked. Despite receiving support from the NHS, Karyn feels dermatologists are not open for discussions related to TSW. The mum said the visual aspect of her skin has given her PTSD and spent bed bound and house bound for three years due the "excruciating" pain. Karyn said: "It has affected my life in every way. My skin has always been an issue all through life. "It has ruined my life in every way - I have had to give up my beauty business that I have built over 16 years ago and had to stop working three years ago. "It is absolutely excruciatingly painful. The visual aspect of it has given me PTSD. "I no longer even share a room with my husband anymore because it was triggering to have any body heat next to me." Topical steroids are used to treat a range of skin conditions and is one of the most prescribed medications used by GPs. However, when prolonged use of steroids is stopped, some patients experience symptoms worse than their original condition, known as topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). Karyn believes that the creams have given her steroid induced eczema and that has in fact been the cause of her eczema worsening through her adulthood. The Fife mum said that people know how to use the creams however she claims that they "are not designed for long term use" and people are "using them as instructed by their dermatologist". She said: "I just basically had allergies - grass and pollen. I only had a small irritation patch that had come up so of course the first line was being given topical steroids. "Throughout history, like it happens to nearly everyone, the steroid creams do not get to the route of the problem. "The problem would have been better to have been treated naturally and just avoiding allergens and irritants and moistorising." Karyn's skin worsened and she had widespread burning, red sleeves and an increased allergic response. When she applied her topic steroids her skin would burn and would start to go into a "frenzied itch". It was only when she realised it was red skins syndrome, also known as topical steroid addiction (TSA). In August 2022 she stopped using the creams but she then quickly had to stop working as her health rapidly deteriorated. "My body shut down within days," Karyn said. "I have spent nearly over a year being bed bound unable to move from bed. I have needed to be cared for. "My husband has had to take time off work at times. My youngest is a nurse she was ready to move in with her boyfriend but delayed that a year so that she could care for me at home." Patients and doctors are increasingly calling for more research into the skin treatment. And Karyn says she believes that more people are suffering debilitating reactions that are far worse than their initial condition. "Topical are definitely not safe - they have no safeguarding," she added. "I feel if I stopped my steroids maybe even ten years ago I think I still would have had a topical steroid withdrawal because I think I have been caused a skin condition by reapplying the creams. "As soon as the creams are removed the body goes into breakdown and needs them again." Despite Karyn's skin being better now due to the use of a strong immunosuppressant, often used for transplant or cancer patients, the medication can comes with tremendous side effects and therefore she will be out of it in the next months. Karyn reiterates that TSW healing is not "linear" as it continues throughout months and years. She said: "I expect to maybe revert back to being unwell once I'm tapered off the immunosuppressant in July. "I'm just having symptoms managed but the drug that I'm taking is severe with awful side effects that can come with it, hence I can't stay on it. My dermatologist doesn't let me." Karyn found a community of people suffering from similar symptoms on the social media platform, TikTok. The mum said she receives messages from people all around the world with the same symptoms and struggles as her. "There's babies suffering from this and young people suffering from this," she added. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) determined that dermatitis resulting from TSW is distinct from eczema and is caused by an excess of an essential chemical compound in the body - called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a form of vitamin B3. Karyn hopes this new study brings some changes to the world of dermatology and that it is discussed in parliament. According to the National Eczema Society topical steroids are recommended by the NHS for treating eczema flare-ups and have been used for over 70 years.
STV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
'My eczema medication looked so innocent - but it was hell in a tube'
Topical steroids are among the most commonly prescribed medications by GPs They are used to treat a range of skin disorders and for the vast majority of patients they are safe and effective But some people say they have suffered adverse reactions far worse than their original condition Patients and doctors are calling for more research into topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) Karyn Flett from Fife has used steroid creams to treat her eczema for years She stopped using them three years ago but has noticed her symptoms get much worse Karyn found a community of people suffering from similar symptoms on TikTok Karyn Flett has used topical steroids to control her eczema for most of her life. The 54-year-old from Thornton in Fife has relied on repeat prescriptions to treat her condition. But she says she didn't get any help from the NHS when she stopped using the creams three years ago and her symptoms worsened. 'You basically get no sleep whatsoever,' Karyn told Scotland Tonight. 'You've got mass insomnia and you're scratching. It's a deep bone itch, it's like a neuropathic itch. It's nothing like an eczema itch. You tear like you're trying to get down to the bone. It's absolutely relentless. 'You have a thermal dysregulation that happens to your system and you can't control your temperature. 'There's also a part where you don't have the ability to sweat, and this makes you feel like you're just burning from the inside – it's excruciating. STV News Karyn Flett. 'It's something that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. I do come from a loving family, but there are times when I was pushed to the limit. I don't want to be here, to be honest. 'I just regret the very day we walked into that doctor's office and I was given those little tubes of cream. They looked so innocent. But as far as I'm concerned, it's absolute hell in a tube just waiting to unfold.' Topical steroids are among the most commonly prescribed medications by GPs. They are used to treat a range of skin conditions and many Scots have used them at some point in their life. However, patients and doctors are increasingly calling for more research into the treatment. Some people say they're suffering debilitating reactions that are far worse than their original condition. Finding answers is proving to be extremely challenging. There is no medical pathway for topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), because it isn't a clinical diagnosis. Therefore, no formalised treatment plan exists for those who present with the condition. Karyn found a community of people suffering from similar symptoms on TikTok, where she met Anna Chrystal, a maxillofacial surgeon from Aberdeen. Anna had also used topical steroids to treat eczema, adhering to the guidelines and under her GP's care. STV News Anna Chrystal. 'I used a 1% hydrocortisone cream,' said Anna. 'It didn't react in the same way that it normally did. It took it away, but the second I stopped using the steroid cream, it just came straight back. So I went to my GP and we increased the potency.' Unfortunately for Anna, her health has been devastated. She was completely debilitated at her lowest point. 'I was oozing, weeping, bleeding and itchy to my bones from head to toe,' she said. 'I was having to be bandaged on my limbs and my neck two or three times a day, and I wasn't even able to feed myself or get to the toilet without help.' Anna has also had to come to terms with being unable to perform her dream job as a surgeon despite training for years. She said: 'I spent a large proportion of my life washing my hands and wearing gloves, and that's just not something that I'm going to be able to do going forward. STV News 'So I'm having to pursue other areas of medicine that are not specialised in maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine and look at something a little bit less hands-on.' Both women are now on strong immunosuppressive drugs, often used for transplant or cancer patients. They have shared their experience of being dismissed by specialists and health professionals, as TSW is not a recognised medical condition. Anna said: 'I'd spoken to dermatology colleagues (about TSW) when I was a medical student and they all made it clear that they didn't think it was the entity it was being portrayed as on social media, and that it was just people with worsening eczema.' But Dr Ian Myles of the National Institute for Health has provided some hope to the TSW community. Earlier this year, he completed some research after learning about TSW from his patients – but he couldn't find anything of substance about the condition. He said: 'There was a tonne of information on Google and those other search engines. But if you looked at the medical literature, there wasn't really anything other than a few articles arguing back and forth about whether or not the disorder existed.' STV News Dr Ian Myles spoke to Scotland Tonight. Dr Myles realised he needed to take the next step with his own research. In a study of 16 participants, patients presenting with TSW showed an overproduction of niacin at a cellular level. Crucially, niacin is not present in patients with eczema. He said: 'When we started the project, I told the patient advocates that either their disease is going to look very, very similar to severe eczema and it'll be hard to tease it apart, or it will look so obvious that we'll all be angry that no one bothered to look earlier. 'So I knew that was a possibility, but it was, I guess, a little surprising just how overwhelmingly clear the signal was. Once you know [about] the niacin overproduction, you can then sit down and explain every other symptom the patients have that are not found in regular eczema.' He's calling for more research into TSW so clinicians can find out why most people can use topical steroids safely, but others – like Karyn and Anna – are so badly affected. STV News Steroid creams. 'I hope the debate about whether TSW is a real disorder is over,' he said. I hope that other research groups will use the diagnostic criteria to enrol patients in their own studies. I really hope this is the opening conversation about better understanding and better research.' Scotland Tonight asked to speak to health secretary Neil Gray or an NHS dermatologist about the issue but no-one was available. A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: 'When used correctly, for many people, topical corticosteroids are a safe and effective treatment for skin conditions.' Dr Tony Bewley of the British Association of Dermatologists agrees that topical steroids are safe and the best course of treatment for the vast majority of patients. 'Topical steroids used appropriately under supervision in an appropriate way for appropriate patients are usually very safe indeed,' he said. However, Dr Bewley treats patients with TSW and has called on colleagues to do more to understand and help those presenting with symptoms. He said: 'Sadly, I think that the message about the difference between topical steroid withdrawal and other forms of skin problems – including the skin problem for which the topical steroid was originally given – I think there is confusion about that. 'I think there are some people who just haven't even heard of this, but also that healthcare professionals have a bit of a wake-up call and understand that this is an important problem. 'We need to understand it and work with our patients.' Watch the full report, Scotland Tonight: My Skin, My Story, at 8:30pm on STV and the STV Player. 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NZ Herald
11-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Mick On Monday: David Ellis joins legends in Hall of Fame
'For me to be inducted alongside so many of the legends of New Zealand racing is a privilege,' Ellis said. The honour comes at a time when the Te Akau business has never been busier, even though Ellis was adamant two years ago he was going to buy less horses. Maybe he meant less than his age, which he narrowly accomplished. Now 71, Ellis purchased 70 horses this season. 'We spent $18.9 million on horses and have about $1m worth of shares left to syndicate. 'It is funny, over the years we have had so many good horses among the last ones we syndicate every season. 'But the business is thriving and we are lucky to have so many great staff and I couldn't do it without Karyn [his wife], who has taken the business to another level.' While Te Akau look set to win yet another domestic premiership, it feels like their expansion into Australia has reinvigorated Ellis with the new Cranbourne stable more than doubling in size in the last year. 'We started this season with 28 horses in training at Cranbourne and will start next season [August 1] with 70 horses there now that our second barn has been built.' Already dubbed the 'King of Karaka' because of his huge spending at New Zealand's home of yearling sales, Ellis is spending up large at Australian sales too and says the make-up of a horse's ownership is a key driver in which country those yearlings are prepared in. 'Some owners want their horses trained closer to where they live so they can see them race more often and that plays a part in where the start their careers,' says Ellis. 'For example, we have a lovely Wootton Bassett filly out of Avantage [named Avantaggia] who cost us A$2.1 million and she is back here in New Zealand. 'She won a trial at Pukekohe recently and will start her career here in September and be set for the 1000 Guineas,' Ellis said. 'But some horses might start out here and then head to Australia when the targets there suit them.' That will be the case for one of Te Akau's brightest stars, Return To Conquer, who was unbeaten in four starts here and having now secured his New Zealand Group 1, he will head to Australia. 'He will go to Cranbourne and be set for group races over there with the main goal to secure an Australian Group 1 which would make him an incredibly valuable stallion. 'So we probably won't see him here next season but Hostility, who we paid big money for at the Ready To Run last year and is already Group 1 placed, he will be one of our 2000 Guineas horses here.'
