TSW, first Bioresonance, then TCM
“I have been using steroids for 3 years. I started TSW in March 2013 and I went to bioresonance therapy from March 2013 to June 2013. Going for that therapy help quicken the flaring process so there’s a flare almost every week. Within these few months is I am oozing a lot from the neck, face and all the limb nodes.
My meals are all home cooked food and due to my self conscious I didn’t step out of the house until mid August. I only went out once a week for the bioresonance therapy and straight back home. The therapist intro me to the ITSAN group and Olive, and I knew Grace through Olive.
During December 2013 I was invited to a support group gathering, so from there I know Mark the physician. He used TCM to treat me and other patients with same condition as me from the Facebook help group.
Physician Mark treated me using different like acupuncture, some moving the qi method and a Chinese herb bath. Technically its like soaking my affected area in Chinese herbs. The soaking method have done huge improvement to my skin. The soak took a lot of trial and error with Mark to make it suit my condition. I used the soaking method mainly on my face, hands and feet.
Before I knew Mark I also went to see Chinese doctor. He just gave me Chinese medicine to drink and acupuncture with electricity on the ears. It help me a little. When I first see Mark, he gave me Chinese herbs to take 3 times a day but after 3 months its reduced to twice a day.
Mark suggested that my mother should do juicing for me and I’m thankful for that. ^^ Supplements I’m taking now is 2 tablet of olive forte and 1 tablet of lacto gg in the morning. The end results up to today is that I think i completely stop oozing and itch was reduced by 75-90%. I now also feel better going out.”
– B. L., Singapore (Topical Steroid Withdrawal, Resolution of Unresolved Red-skin Syndrome)
TSW, Face Swell, Eye Swell
I had a very bad TSW ( topical steroid withdrawal ) flare in March. My face swelled almost beyond recognition and my eyes were very swollen. My limbs were oozing badly as I had blistery rashes. As I was due to travel in less than 2 weeks time, my hubby thought why not try TCM for my rashes as I was against steroids treatment. Mark’s name was mentioned in a TSW support group hence we decided to try him out.
I saw him every Wednesday weekly for about 6 weeks. Each week he would feel my pulse, see my tongue, ask me questions etc. I also opted for acupuncture treatment even though I hate needles , but the will to recover quickly won my fear over. He also gave me herbal powder to take and herbs to wash my oozing rashes.
I did everything he told me to, and about 3 days after I first saw him, my face recovered, no more swelling and oozing. My facial quick recovery gave me hope to press on with the brewing of herbs and taking medicines religiously. And I managed to go for my trip and not disappoint my friends again as I could not go for the trip last year.
Yay! I really need to get out of my house then. God knows how many times I cried over the suffering. My whole body was constantly itchy especially at night with painful burning sensation. I oozed so badly my semi dead skin stuck to my clothing and bed sheets.
Please don’t get me wrong. My recovery path was not a miraculous one but simply quicker than usual. I simply felt better each day and I also see improvements little by little each day after seeing Mark. TCM is definitely not a get well quick approach. But it does help a lot if one has the patience and determination to get well with its help.
Frankly, I was very disciplined with my diet then. I started my day with warm lemon water and manuka honey. Breakfast was oatmeal with chia seeds and goji berries. My meals mostly comprised of lots of raw fruits and vegetables (mostly organic).
I also took chlorella, spirulina, olive extract and probiotics supplements. Nothing synthetic, all natural. I didn’t eat any other meat except steam fish and occasional pork. I was always eating my food raw or I would steam or broil my food with garlic and sea salt seasoning . I also drank 3 cups of organic roobois tea a day.
I could carry on with my normal daily routines after 2 sessions with Mark. In my opinion , my healthy diet coupled with TCM accelerated my recovery. I have stopped seeing Mark as he agreed that I can heal fully with my clean diet alone now.
A side note : my diet isn’t as strict as I am out and about now. I am also constantly meeting my friends and family as I have been missing out on my fun for too long. I’m no longer flaring badly despite me eating almost everything and anything. So I guess TCM does help strengthen my immune system.
Mark is a modern Chinese medicine practitioner who doesn’t resemble those Chinese doctors you would see on tv. He is constantly asking for updates of my condition via email and he’s quick to respond if you have any questions for him.
I was with another famous TCM practitioner prior to seeing Mark. She’s good at what she’s doing however she always has the “I know best” attitude which I detest. So I quit seeing her after 2 sessions.
Mark although is younger, definitely make it up by his willingness to listen and understanding his patients’ needs. His consultation is always one to one, so you will not be rushed during the consultation.
Good luck to everyone! And recover quickly!
– G. C., Singapore (Topical Steroid Withdrawal, Management of Flare)
TSW Tapered Withdrawal Strategy
I started seeing Mark in Jan’14 with the intention to taper off steroid usage (TSW) as I was too afraid to go cold turkey, having tried for one month in Mar’13. I was really exhausted from my various attempts at tampering through all sorts of supplements. As such, I went in for the TCM sessions as almost my last lifeline.
We spent some time correcting my body constituition (both heat and dampness as I understand it) over the next few months. Mark also treated me for my knee pain and wrist injury at the same time, which I could see results in about 2 weeks.
At his advice, I started eliminating wheat from my diet and I could see an improvement in the intensity of the inflammation through the skin. I mean, I hardly see TCMs advising patients to stay off wheat..they usually say no cold food, no heaty food, no chilli etc etc…. he was definitely the nonconventional TCM doctor.
And the fact that I could speak English to him helped a lot! I didn’t have to understand those Chinese technical jargons typically used by TCMs.
With the herbs and weekly acupuncture sessions, there was a dramatic reduction in itch and I could sleep better. The flares were also getting less hot and intense but were still spreading, starting from my legs to my abdomen, back and neck.
He was also checking in constantly on the progress and the response to the herbs. This enabled him to give advice on dosage etc etc…
In May’14, we started doing bleeding on the inflamed areas and they helped TREMENDOUSLY. The first spots we did were on my back and on that same night, it felt much cooler to sleep, I didn’t feel as if I was sleeping on a permanent heatpad…
I could see the results that immediately and was bought over by the bleeding idea. Though painful, I felt it was worth it. I increased my visits to 2x a week to deal with the inflammation through acupuncture and bleeding and it managed to help me reduce steroid usage, which was my end objective.
In Jun’14, I felt I was ready to go off steroids 100% with the results of bleeding and acupuncture. We upped the dosage of the herbs and the arrangement worked seamlessly!
It is going to be a long journey ahead but I know Mark will be there to support and help in all the ways he can.
– S. A., Singapore (Topical Steroid Withdrawal, Tapered Withdrawal with TCM Intervention)
TSW, comes from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore for Treatment
“I’ve been using steroids for more than 10 years, with daily usage on my face and decided to stop using since Jan 2015. Like every other patients who go through TSW (topical steroid withdrawal), I get flares all over my face and body, oozing and swelling face for few months and itchiness that disturbs my sleep routine.
Found Mark through recommendation and started seeing him since May 2015. Acupuncture treatment works very well for me! It calms down the flare after treatment, when each time it flares up, it becomes less severe.
Of course, with the help of the herbs that Mark prepares based on my condition, my skin is finally healing! He also did helped me to “remove blood” on inflamed areas such as shoulder, inner arms and back of my knee, the results are very good too.
Mark has the patience to listen to my problems and he is also a very detailed person. On each treatment, he works on different areas and he is never in a rush job in the treatment and consultation.
Other than acupuncture and herbs, Mark also recommends me to remove certain food from my diet which I find it very helpful. After each treatment, he checks on my condition closely through online consultation whereby I will provide him daily update on my condition.
I’ve started off with weekly consultation with Mark, followed by 10 days gap after 1-2 months. Now (after 3 months), the follow up consultation is on a monthly basis. It is definitely worth the trip to travel from KL to Singapore to seek for his consultation.
– GLGOH, Kuala Lumpur (Topical Steroid Withdrawal, Facial and Perioral Dermatitis)
Whole Body TSW, using Ciclosporine
Very lucky that my TSW is not taking too Long with help of Mark. Words cannot describe how thankful and Glad I feel to be able to meet someone’s treatment which suits me well.
I am suffering from Eczema since baby. It goes from bad to worst as I grow older especially after I become a Mother. Was being told that I have 2 chance to recover :- first when manses is here during puberty or after you delivered a baby. Unfortunately after both stages my situation only turns terrible!
I have been taking steroids for life. Oral creams japs you name it.
After I delivered my 1st child my condition flare badly. I went to see dermatitis and undergo treatment with phototherapy (3x a week) then I stopped steroid but continue with MTX. I gets better during then. After I stopped discharged and delivered my 2nd child, everything back to square one and went worst of my life. I then went back to the same doc and undergo the same treatment thinking I will get better like last time. The fact is disappointing.
The doc then asked me to change Med to cyclosporine but it can only take for 1 year. But he guaranteed I will be pretty and nice. I start asking myself, so what’s next? When cyclosporine lost effect on me, what’s next then??? The end of the world??
I then check and read up on TSW. I went cold turkey with prednisolone. My face starts swelling up badly and starts oozing after day 3. From some recommendation of other TSW warrior I contacted Mark and decided to turn to TCM. What can be worst than now? That’s what in my mind back then.
Mark came by as a saver to me. I cried badly during some session of the acupuncture or blood released. Pain is the word during my weekly session but importantly result is shown. He is patience detailed and have passion in his job.
He customised herbs to individual need and check on me often and requested me to update him as often I can. My herb was changed weekly to suit my body need.
After seeing him, everything gets better, the peeling off and oozing stopped and left with some redness only. Itch level is reduce tremendously and sleep gets better.
I had frequent chills and body ache earlier on and needed Panadol weekly but Mark’s treatment cut it off. He also at the same time helped me on my migraine and manses. Which doc treat you for everything at the same time?
Also he support breastfeeding so I can continue giving the best to my Son. Best part of it is I start losing weight.
Eczema cannot be cured. But I want to bring you to the stage where you able to self manage, know ur body well and how and what to do when you face your next flare (if there is any). This is what Mark tells me. And this is where I am now.
His treatment might or might not suit you. Give a try else you will not know. Everything works both ways. You need to trust him in order for him to help you. Good luck and all the best!
– J.T., Singapore (Facial and Peri-oral eczema, Topical Steroid Withdrawal)
TSW, Facial Eczema, using MTX
Mark has good experience with managing eczema through herbs, diet and acupuncture. He provides good support to patients- we could write to him for advise/ feedback throughout the week.
My situation: Prior to July 2015, I was managing my eczema through western medication (MTX, topical steroid creams and Protopic). I had to stop this treatment due to elevated liver readings caused by the MTX.
Subsequently, from Aug 2015, I turned to TCM Mark for help to manage my worsening eczema- redness (inflammation)/ peeling skin/ chills/ swells/ oozing.
I was given herbs to help with alopecia (hair loss), reduction of inflammation in the body and on the skin, and to dry up wounds. Healing was gradual.
About 3 weeks after coming for treatments, redness had reduced from 10/10 to 7/10. Swelling had reduced to 3/10.
By 7 weeks, skin started feeling thicker/stronger.
By 9 weeks, traveling to Taiwan for work was more manageable. But still feeling weak.
By 13 weeks, body still feels cold but sweating more.
By 16 weeks, energy is now good and can travel more frequently.
Only thing that remains is sleep not good, otherwise, the recovery is slow but is happening.
– R.L., Singapore (Facial Eczema with Red Skin Syndrome)