Sad TV Segment

[Alarbman]

I was watching tonight's MSNBC "Captured", a forensic show regarding the LA Coroner's office. The first case involved a death by Bus. In the investigation that follwed,They were able to determine that the gentleman commited suicide by jumping in front of a MTA Bus, because of severe P. For those who think this disease is "purely cosmetic", they have a lot to learn.

Of coarse, this is what this site is all about - teaching people, helping people. I often think of the common "slogan" when I was little. "The Heartbreak of Psoriasis".

[wildflowerAnn]

Gosh, that is a sad script. If the character in the script had called the suicide hotline, seen a pyschologist, and read the book, 'Who Moved My Cheese?' things would have turned out differently. I've been like Hem & Haw these last 5 months; rather than Sniff and Scurry who realized quickly that there was no more cheese at the cheese station and quickly made changes to find new cheese. I thought about it long and hard this morning. I have severe psoriasis and the cheese station is empty! It is time to put on the running shoes and make the necessary changes in my life to accomodate this. Think I'll move close to a hospital.
Ann

[Alarbman]

Good Evening, WildflowerAnn. To clear things up, this was not a script. MSNBC "Captured" follows real cases, in real time. That's what made this so sad. This was an actual recent case.

[SuzanneT]

Alarbman, how true! I remeber this from my childhood as well "The Heartbreak of Psoriasis"! Wasn't it a radio ad? TV commercial? I remember how we laughed as kids............. I'm not laughing now, that's for sure!

Ann............... MOVE WITH THE CHEESE!!!!!!!!!! I just finished reading this. What a great little book! We're going through a lot of changes at work, and I just loved this! So, put on the running shoes,and find some new cheese! How are you doing? Are you okay?

Sue

[wildflowerAnn]

Alarbman, I don't have cable TV so I didn't know. Oh my gosh. That is just awful. That man could just not endure another minute of this, and I can understand why he felt that way. It is the Never Ending Nightmare.
Suzanne, I'm still itchy but less red so that is a good thing. :) Calling the dermatologist to ask for Atarax today. I have to work today and it is so hard when I itch so much. I spent the weekend reading the 'handwriting on the wall'. Now I'll be busy packing and having garage sales to get ready to move to a much smaller dwelling.

[mintona]

Hi ALL

This is a sad event of a person that could not see the light between life and death ,sometimes i think we all suffer the darkness that life brings , the balance of enjoyment and pain that any condition can bring , staying strong even through hard times, and good times , The balance in anyones mind can be easily turned given the right situation , where the only facotor ends in the the person say to him or herself.......im better off dead. Dark days when it happens and i feel for the persons family,and may god look after him.
all the best

Andrew

[Allie]

This is the sadest part of our treatments..... The fact our physicans do not make it mandatory for us to have a yearly psych evaluation, is crazy! The mental impact our dx is not addressed nearly enough by our Drs.

[PBChief]

I'm sorry, but the last thing I want is a dermatologist telling me "I would love to help you, but first you are going to have to see a shrink."

Not gonna happen. I go to a derm to have my skin condition dealt with, if I am having mental issues and wish to have those addressed, it is my responsibility to seek the correct care for that. Unfortunately some people will never seek that kind of help, even if they need it, but don't tell me that I have to see a shrink to get meds for my skin.

[Resist]

I am a firm believer in the concept of never giving up. No matter how bad things seem, a person should always keep up hope. It's easy to give up and be a victim, but hero's keep fighting.

Whenever I feel down, I remind myself how lucky I am to be living in the 21st Century. Imagine what life was like having Psoriasis 200 or 500 years ago. Today we have treatment options and a cure is around the corner. Think of the millions who have suffered with Psoriasis in years gone past with no real treatments. Think of all the children that were tormented by their peers back then because of this disease. All the misconceptions about what Psoriasis was back then. My worst day here and now, would have been a good day back then.

So we all have to decide, hero or victim.

[Alarbman]

I agree with resist-and I am an example of the "Old Shool". The only treatments were coal tar topicals, they sucked and in my opinion didnt work. If I had not discovered Dr Weinstine at UCI at 20 years old (PUVA), I don't think I would have "lasted" much longer. I also agree there still should be more attention paid to the mental side of our disease. I had none, most of the Derms were mean, no bedside manner, "Live with It". Remember, there was no Internet, No Tanning Beds, none of the modern meds of today. Coming down with this at 8 years old was horrible.
If my son had "P" (None so Far), he would have all of today's treatments & biologics, plus I would have him do the mental part also (Psyc, whatever). I think this is very important, I am scarred for life after what happened.....

[MichaelaCFP]

Alarb - my story is so similar to yours. Even though my skin is PUVA worn (from 17 years of severe P,) I am just so greatful that the treatment was available in my early 20's. At the onset, this disease caused me to be very reclusive and hide the feelings of "shame and Inadequacy" that I felt. Even though I experience a lot of skin cancers as a result of the PUVA nowadays, I am so glad that the PUVA was available to keep me from doing something like - committing suicide.

I am also very grateful that I stuck around and trudged through every next available ointment, pills, and now the biologics. Even though the disease hasn't changed much over the years, I am sure glad that my attitudes and treatment offerrings have changed. Thus, the disease has so little power over me nowadays, that I don't feel self conscience about doing things that a long time ago I would have shyed away from.

I am also grateful that their is more of an openness and understanding within society today regarding the disease (as well as all medical conditions) as if I compared myself with close friends around me, having P is a bit of a lighter aggravation that what a few of my friends deal with on a daily basis.

With P, I can do anything that I feel like doing, I am the only one stopping myself. By the way, today I have severe P and PA - and fortunately the Enbrel Gods are shining down on me this week.

Cheers and have a great day.

Michael