UPDATE:

I honestly didn’t expect the response this has had so far — thank you so much to everyone who has donated or shared, it’s already made a huge difference, and treatment is working well!

When I first set this up, I was only thinking about covering the immediate cost of treatment while I’m here. As I’ve continued, it’s become clearer that I’ll need to continue treatment long-term once I return to the UK.

Based on my treatment plan, recovery is expected to take around 5 years, with sessions gradually reducing over time. A rough breakdown looks like:

• First 6 months (weekly): ~£5,200

• Next 6 months (fortnightly): ~£2,600

• Following 6 months (every 3–4 weeks): ~£1,400

• Next 6 months (every 6 weeks): ~£800

• Years 3–5 (spaced out maintenance): ~£2,800

Treatment total: ~£12,800

There are also additional ongoing costs such as travel to appointments and managing my environment (e.g. air purifiers), which add to this over time.

Because of this, I’ve updated the goal to £6,000 to help cover the next stage of treatment as I continue recovery.

I’m so grateful for the support so far — it genuinely means a lot

Hi I’m Rosie!

I’m currently at a specialist clinic in Thailand undergoing treatment for something called Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).

TSW is a condition I developed after 28 years of using prescribed steroid creams for my skin. It’s something that is still massively under-researched and often not properly recognised or treated by many doctors, particularly in the UK. I’ve been dealing with this over the past 10 years.

Topical Steroid Withdrawal is what’s known as an iatrogenic condition — meaning it’s caused by the very medication that was originally meant to help. Over time, I was prescribed stronger and stronger steroids, along with multiple immunosuppressants, chemotherapy medication, until eventually my skin could no longer function normally without them.

When that happens, the body struggles to regulate itself, and the symptoms can be extreme. For me this has included burning skin, nerve pain, skin cracking, hair loss, intense redness, oozing, constant shedding, infections, unable to regulate my temperature, insomnia, and periods of depression. At times it has also affected my mobility and ability to function day-to-day, simple tasks such as being able to wash and dress myself.

At its worst, I’ve been bed-bound. There were times I genuinely didn’t recognise my own body, and it felt like I was losing control of my life. I’ve had to take time off work, and it’s had a huge impact on my mental health, social life and ability to do normal activities. It’s something that doesn’t just affect your skin — it affects every single part of your life. Long term, this is something I will have to stay vigilant of and manage carefully.

After a long time researching, I came across CAP (Cold Atmospheric Plasma) therapy, used in a clinic here in Thailand. There are currently only three clinics in the world.

CAP is a medical technology used to support skin healing at a cellular level — helping reduce bacteria, calm inflammation, and stimulate repair. It’s often used in Thai hospitals to speed up healing for chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, and is now being used to treat people going through TSW.

I’m now around 14 treatments in, and for the first time, I’m seeing real progress. I regaining my independence and mobility, and I’m no longer in the most severe stage of the condition. My skin is starting to stabilise, and things that once felt impossible are becoming manageable again.

This treatment is working. However, I am only part way down the road of recovery I’ve been advised by doctors that my healing timeline is around 5 years. Over that time it’s critical I continue treatment, although the frequency should reduce gradually as my skin improves.

Right now, I need weekly sessions, which cost £200 each.

It’s taken a huge toll on me physically, mentally, and emotionally. There have been periods where I’ve felt completely overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected from my normal life. Living with this condition isn’t just about the skin — it affects how you feel in your body every single day. There are times when I feel an immense amount of pressure about how I am going to fund my ongoing treatment. Therefore I am raising funds to help me maintain this progress.

Over the next three months, I will continue with weekly treatment while I’m in Thailand. After that, the plan is to gradually space the sessions out as my skin improves — moving to fortnightly treatments for around six months, then every three weeks, then monthly, and so on. Although the frequency reduces over time, ongoing treatment is critical for my skin to properly heal and to maintain the progress I’ve made. Continuing treatment is essential for me to fully heal and maintain the progress I’ve made.

I am extremely worried about what will happen if I have to stop treatment too soon. I’ve experienced how severe this condition can become, and I don’t want to go back to being bed-bound, in constant discomfort, and unable to live a normal life.

TSW has already taken a lot from me — my time, my independence, my ability to work, and so many everyday things most people don’t think twice about. For a long time, it felt like my life was on hold.

For the first time, I feel like I’m getting a part of my life back, and I’m doing everything I can to keep moving forward.

I’m raising funds to help me continue this treatment and give myself the best possible chance at fully recovering.

Any small amount of support, whether that’s donating or simply sharing this, would mean so much to me. Thank you so much, Rosie. X

Cost breakdown

CAP treatment: £200 per session

Current monthly cost (weekly treatment): ~£800

Remaining 3 months in Thailand: ~£2,400

Following 6 months (fortnightly treatment): ~£2,400

Ongoing treatment beyond this will continue as sessions gradually space out over time.