Donate to Joseph's Life-Changing Treatment in Thailand

Hello, to both friends and family who know me, and possibly strangers. It's surreal that I'm writing this, but here we are. My name is Joseph Staton and for the past fifteen months, I have been battling a health condition known as topical steroid withdrawal.

Long story short, I've had eczema my whole life, and was experiencing a flare up leading up to my wife and I's wedding (July 2023). I was prescribed a strong steroid ointment, and applied it for a few weeks. Well, the rash kept getting worse and I kept applying the steroid, and this continued for about 3-4 months.

When I went back to the doctor, I explained my issue and was prescribed a stronger option: oral prednisone. On my third course of this oral steroid I began to grow skeptical. Clearly, these steroids aren't helping the issue, and they certainly aren't solving it.

I began researching and stumbled upon a condition called TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal). It is exactly what it sounds like. I was in disbelief that I could be in such a withdrawal considering (what I thought to be) minimal use, but upon further research, I realized I was in withdrawal.

So, the summary on this condition, TSW, is that the withdrawal from topical steroids can take 3-5 years, and sometimes longer. Some people heal sooner than 3 years, but that is the average. But, 3-5 years of what? A brutal experience. Anyone who knows me knows that I do not like exaggerating. But simply but, this withdrawal has been the hardest thing both my wife and I have ever been through. To name some symptoms:

Now, the good part is, there is a solution! A treatment has been developed in Thailand that has so far made its way to three countries called Cold Atmospheric Plasma Therapy. Simply put, it's a machine that produces a small current to zap the damaged skin cells, killing any infections and also speeding up the skin's thickening/regeneration process. This treatment has been effective in thousands of people.

I stumbled upon this clinic and treatment by joining a Facebook group of over 30,000 people suffering from this condition. I am thankful to have this option to receive treatment, but it also means it will cost a good amount of money and time.

I will probably have to be in Thailand for 3-4 months at minimum, which means some stretching financially. This is where I humbly ask you for your support.

Sarah and I will have to keep paying our lease in the US, and some other recurring bills on top of our expenses in Thailand. We estimate that our trip, not counting expenses back home, will total close to $8,000. If you can contribute even a small amount to help out, it would mean the world.

To my friends and family, you have probably seen a bit of how hard this has been. Sarah and I are both mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. TSW has caused me to withdraw from church, social outings, and pretty much anything. A lot of days I don't even want to get out of bed due to the pain.

Enough is enough.

Sadly, the treatment I will be receiving is not yet available in the US, as the FDA has not approved the device, and Topical Steroid Withdrawal is not a widely recognized condition. In fact, most doctors will prescribe you more steroids if you go to them with these symptoms. TSW is not even on their radar, and thousands of people are suffering from this every day.

I am currently working on Ohio recognizing this condition, and two other states already have passed resolutions doing so: Florida & Maine.

Again, thank you for reading my experience and if anyone has any questions, please reach out. Your prayers and support are appreciated more than you know.