Psoriasis

[True Blue 32]

Do you have it? If so what do you use to control it?

[Goodsoulette]

I dont have it but a woman I used to work with did and the only thing that cured it for her was sunbathing. She even bought a sunbed to keep her free of it.

[True Blue 32]

I've tried most things to be honest. I've had it since i was five and i'm now 37. At one stage i was in the Skin Hospital in Edgbaston for three months i had it that bad.

Thankfully it is no longer as bad on my face and on my scalp as it used to be, but i still do get probably up to 70% coverage on my body unless i take tablets to control it.

I was originally on Cyclosporin for this and after three months i would be totally clear. The doctor would then take me off it, and three months later again i was back to square one. Thi continued for about a year, but after complaining of stiff joints they then took me off the Cyclosporin and put me on Methotrixate, this has started to work, but it makes me very nausious (sp?), and i've also found that i get Psoriasis appearing in places i have never had it before, such as on my wrists and the palms of my hands.

In years gone by, i've tried Homeopathic diets, Acupuncture, PUVA light treatment, and probably every single ointment the doctors can lay their hands on.

My real concern with taking both Cyclosporin and Methotrixate is the damage i could be doing to my body. I'd love to be able to find something else that doesn't have so many potential side effects.

I'm intrigued to find any other lotions and potions sufferers may have tried in the past that have been successful.

P.S. Sorry for the long post!

[bird_81]

I've had it for years, not as many as you though. It's a horrible thing to have so I really sympathise with you.The only thing that has guaranteed to clear it for me has been a sunbed, although this didn't work for my scalp. When I was younger i was told to try goats milk creams and soaps which worked for about a year so you could give that a go. Last year I had what i was told was psoriasis on my palms, I wasn't convinced as it didn't look like it and none of the numerous creams worked so I got a second opinion and found that it was actually a reaction to nickel, which I knew i was mildly allergic to, and apparantly the symptoms present themselves like psoriasis.
Try anything that you can as some things that don't work for others may work for you. Keep experimenting and good luck.

[devilwoman]

hi true blue, know how you feel, i'm in the same boat as you. used to be on methotrixate, but was taken off cos of kidney problems. i go into hospital for treatment 3-4 times per year for treatment, i am treated with dithranol, and scc for scalp.
have you ever had dithranol? its quite good but not a cure, thing is we have to face the fact that there is no cure for psoriasis, we can only hope for control for it. and sometimes people can go months or very occasionally years before it gets really bad again.

its a pain in the ass, but we have to grin and bear it and get on with life. : 0 )

[sophie_1003]

in an asian country...possibly thailand? theres this pool where loads of little fish live and because there isnt a lot else living in the pool theyve learnt to survive off whatever they can, including dead skin cells and if someone with psoriasis goes in the pool they will actually "nibble" the skin off the persons body! Sound like a joke but actually true, bit of an expensive way to do it as not sure how long it lasts but may be worth looking into!

[devilwoman]

yeh i've heard about that sophie, there was actually a newspaper cutting about it in the hospital where i go for treatment, i remember laughing and thinking , is it the first of april today?
but no , not a joke, its actually true.
my question tho
how do the fishes know when to stop? or will they continue eating you untill you're gone? lol

[Emoire]

Hi, i get psoriasis from time to time, particularly when I am stressed or worried about things and have found some success using this cream http://www.taylor-jackson.com/m-folia_story.ht m - it's quite expensive though but might be worth a try.

[Presario]

I have psoriasis, tried several different treatments, nothing really worked for me except the sunshine, which, living in the UK don't really get enough of lol. I find sunbeds time consuming and expensive so I have now decided to embrace my psoriasis and do nothing about it. I wear clothes that I like regardless of whether they cover my areas of psoriasis or not. I am simply not bothered what people think. I am happy with how I look now. It comes and goes depending on how stressed I am and can appear anywhere on my body. I think you guys should all be like **** it. If people like you/ love you they shouldn't be put off you because of "poorly" skin!

[pussnboots]

I have had psoriasis for 38 years but I'm one of the lucky ones as it is only mild. I read an article about it and it recommended a herb called THEMBA which can be bought at Herbal International based in Guernsey if you go on their web site it will give you more information.

[patsyann]

Hi True Blue 32.I am also a fellow sufferer.I have had it for nearly 50 years and have also had all sorts of different treatments which worked until my skin got used to them and then off it would go again.My very worst was my elbows and scalp.I have been using exorex lotion on prescription for 3 years now and have kept it pretty much at bay providing I use it every day and also a good moisturising ointment .I rub a liitle lotion on my scalp about 5 mins before I shampoo with any shampoo that I am currently using.Obviously I dont use the ointment on my scalp.If I get any really bad patches on my body I use the lotion then.It is worth a try.It can be bought over the counter but is expensive.Also of course the Sun helps but we need it all year.

[True Blue 32]

Thanks for all the comments. Yeah i have tried Dithranol, but unfortunately it didn't work for me.

I'll certainly take a look at the link that Emoire posted, it's got to be worth a go.

To be honest i really don't give a damn what people say nowadays, but up until probably 6 years ago i was completely different and always covered up my skin.

I think this was mainly down to having a real hard time at school in years gone by. Psoriasis is far more widely recognised nowadays, than when i was at school, so thats a good thing.

The sun also helps my skin improve, so lets hope we have a good summer.

I've never really tried using alternative methods to control my Psoriasis other than the Homeopathic diet and acupuncture, so i'm definately going to try one or two different things.

It's good to hear other sufferers remarks, and it's good to know that other people understand what you go through by being a sufferer.

All the best and i hope we all remain as Psoriasis free as possible!

[petes_dragon]

Hi,

I too have suffered from Psoriasis, however, I have been clear since I was 17 (30yrs old now!) after a course of sunlight treatment & touch wood it has nevr come back!

My whole family has psoriasis & we were used as a clinical trial 2yrs ago to prove/disprove a genetic link.....both my parents and my sister have it, also my grandad and 2 out of 4 cousins!!

Unfortunately, I am the only one in the family who has had it but then cleared up and had no further outbreaks - as you have said everyone else gets rid of it for a little while then it returns.

My sister is probably the worst, she was also in hospital for almost 3 months for intensive treatment as she gets it on the palms of her hands an the soles of her feet, causing them to crack open and therefore difficult to walk etc. She can't have the drug treatment as she only has one kidney, so they won't take the risk of causing damage!

We have all tried the different treatments that you have listed, with similar results - my dad recently tried the m-folia but again found it good for a while but it came back fairly quickly.

Sorry, I haven't really offered much help - good luck for the future and I hope you find the treatment that suits you best!

A xXx

[andy15star]

Hi i have had it since i was 13 and i am now nearly 19 unfortunatley it will never go away as it is hereditry but there is some things u can use to control it dont have it that bad as i have a few patches here and everywhere. but i get more when im stressed or unwell.I went to the docs and he prescribed me a steroid cream called betnovate also double base and a coal tar paste these did control it but it could be different for anybody else as there are many types of psoriasis.

Also what causes it to appear more is that if you are stressed or unwell .If you have it bad as my uncle does i would suggest to be transvered to a dermatologist and she what happens there.apparently psoriasis has something to do with having a low immune system so try and give yr immune system a boost and i always apply loads of moisturiser and that seems to help

hope this has been some help
love laura xxx

[papia]

For years I have tested so many techniques to help my Psoriasis, and some things have helped more than others. Some things I have done have worked very well. Many other people have different stories on what helped them the most. For more informations, visit
http://www.mypsoriasistreatment.com/