Diet changes and psoriasis

[ChicagoScot]

I came down with inverse psoriasis in April of 2006. It took several months to nail down a diagnosis. I was prescribed Protopic Ointment 0.1%,30g (which initially burned the heck out of me and I had to discontinue use) and then Alclometasone Dipropionate Ointment USP, 0.05%. This ointment held the psoriasis at bay for a month or so, but then it returned. Next, I tried some of the herbal supplements I read about (e.g., grape seed extract, turmeric, zinc, etc.), but saw no improvement. Since I live in Chicago, I decided to try the Mavena Center (which recently moved from DesPlaines, IL to Arlington Heights, IL). This center uses salt baths (with salts imported from the Dead Sea) combined with light therapy. Popular in Switzerland and (I think) in Germany, they opened a center here in the States a few years ago. Since it was only 20 miles away, I decided to try it. I had read of many people's success with salt-water treatments. Unfortunately, after three or four treatments, my reaction to the high concentration of salt was rather adverse, causing my psoriasis to flare up considerably. I discontinued treatment. Where to next? I did more research, and ordered the book: "Your Healing Diet: A Quick Guide to Reversing Psoriasis and Chronic Diseases with Healing Foods," by Deirdre Earls, a registered dietitian. I figured desperate times call for desperate measures -- and the regimen Deirdre calls for was pretty desperate as far as I was concerned. She prescribes a diet that eliminates coffee, alcohol, red meat, pork and chicken, wheat, nightshade vegetables (i.e., potatoes, tomatos, bell peppers), citrus fruits, and dairy products. I didn't find her book particularly helpful in terms of recipes. She lists a whole host of products one can buy at stores that fit into the regimen, but you're not left with much of an idea of how to throw together any decent meals. Fortunately, I'm pretty resourceful in the kitchen and willing to try new things and do some recipe research on my own. The good news is -- I have been on this diet for about five weeks and have had no outbreaks. I don't know how this compares to the experiences of others, but this is a VERY long stretch of time for me with no outbreaks. I HAVE experienced some tingling and itching which often had been a precursor to outbreaks, but have had no outbreaks as of yet. I should also mention that I am applying Protopic ointment in the morning (I finally became tolerant to this ointment) and Alclometasone Diproprpiante at night. Eventually, in a month or so, I would like to try discontinuing these entirely, but right now -- I want to maintain my outbreak-free status and don't wish to risk it by discontinuing anything.

Like I said, the dietary changes are immense. Fortunately, I have a high tolerance for repetitive meals, so I eat grits for breakfast every day. Trader Joe's has a very tasty lentil soup with vegetables. I eat a can of this (the cans are huge!) every day for lunch with an apple. I snack on almonds and sunflower seeds throughout the day at work. On the weekends, I cook a few vegetarian entrees and re-heat these for dinner throughout the week. Over time, I'm beginning to eat a few forbidden items, with no adverse reactions. I figure it is ok as long as I make it an infrequent indulgence. I've had wheat a few times, a few alcoholic drinks, a few cups of coffee, and chicken. I had red meat last night (a first since I've been on the regimen). My deviations are typically when I go out to eat and are not the norm. Whenever I'm home or at work, I stick to the diet.

I desperately miss wheat -- no pasta - no toast. I REALLY miss coffee and used to consume three to four cups a day. I'm drinking Lipton tea and Rooibos tea instead (a red tea from South Africa that has a flavor I really enjoy and actually is touted as being good for skin maladies among many other things). I'm suprised at how much I don't miss the dairy. I used to drink a half-gallon of milk a week, lots of cottage cheese, lots of cheese, and Iused half and half in my coffee. Right now -- I'm not missing the eggs very much, either.

I'm experimenting with tofu and have found it's really ok. I experimented with soy and rice milk, and decided that while they're ok for some folks, I just don't like the taste. Overall, I'm shying away from prepared vegetarian foods (frozen and packaged) because I find the flavors to often be somewhat flat. Instead, I'm sticking with creating things out of lentils, garbanzos, split peas, tofu, lots of vegetables and the like.

I don't know if I can keep this up forever. I may try reintroducing some of the forbidden foods over time. But being psoriasis free has been a great incentive to keep me on the straight and narrow thus far. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Feel free to ask any questions if you like.

[Paco386]

Hi ChicagoScot,

I assume you're new to the board, so let me be the first to welcome you here. You've come to the right place to share your experiences with P, as I am sure MANY helpful members of the NPF family will come to this thread and lend you their support and ideas. When I first came to the board I was scared and uneducated about what P was doing to my body, but I have since learned to take control of my condition. I am not clear, but I am able to feel better about what I am going through knowing I am not alone. You will feel that way too I am sure.

I tip my hat to you and your ability to maintain repetitive meals. I have gone crazy just after a few days. I have eliminated nightshades but that is about the only change I have made diet-wise -- although I do eat pretty healthy. A lot of the foods I eat are on your "no eat" list above, like bread, chicken and dairy - so I will have to muster up enough courage to eliminate those long-term to see if a bigger difference is possible.

As far as "technical" management of P with medications and other treatments, there are much more knowledgable members here who can advise you better than I, as they seem to have more experience with this condition that I have right now. We all have the same goals - to be clear and pain-free and whatever information you can glean from everyone to help yourself achieve that goal is great, because as you know P varies in everyone as much as what works or does not work for them.

Continued good luck on your P management and new regimen - you've educated me some too! :)

[Dulane]

Scot,

You took a very courageous step and I'm so glad it is paying off. I hope that if you are careful and believe that you are seeing progress...that you can start re-introducing some more wholesome foods.

The goal is to heal inside and then hopefully the triggers will become less sensitive over time.

There really are some good recipes out there. Things get easier over time. But I hope you can start adding back more foods soon. Without flaring, that is!

At least you can see what an anti-inflammatory diet does for you. We should dig up one of our old healthy recipe threads. In fact...do a search here for healthy recipes.

Unfortunately...with the 'new-improved' forum we got this summer...a healthy recipe could be barbecued spare ribs. That WOULD cause me to flare.

:p

[RichJ]

hi scot,
welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you

have a good night all

richard

[keano]

Chicago Scott

Instead of wheat why don't you try some gluten free grains like quinua (great flakes to make ouatmeal, I chop an apple in it and some cinnamon), millet, buckwheat.

I also back some buckwheat muffins that are deliscious and gluten free. I constantly change the recipie but my latest one has been:

3/4 cup buckwheat flour
1/2 cup millet flour
1 cup buttermilk
2 full Table spoon Flax seed
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup watter
1 chopped apple
1 tablespoons cinnamon
3 tsbp Olive oil

[ChicagoScot]

Thanks so much for the heartfelt welcome. You folks are the first I've ever talked with who have psoriasis (and yes -- I am new to this board). I don't know anyone among my friends, family or co-workers who has it. Anyway - it's comforting to talk with others who have also been dealing with this. I'll keep you posted on how the diet goes. As you can imagine, there's a part of me that thinks sooner or later this isn't going to work, and I'm going to have another outbreak. But so far, so good! P.S. Thanks for the recipe!

[nomobties]

I too am a Chicagoan. I too know of no one here with this illness. Welcome and the best of luck to you.

[Jillian1507]

Welcome ChicagoScot to the boards. You'll love it here. It's nice to feel not alone and be able to ask questions without feeling silly. I'm currently trying a change in diet as well (mostly for my scalp p, although I do have a mild case of gp right now as well, mostly on my back). I have seen improvement and have been following this since the beginning of September. My hair stylist told me this week that my scalp looked 100% better - YAY for me! I still have a way to go, but I'm praying and keeping hope that it will forever go away! Good luck in your regimen and keep us posted on your progress!

[berice0]

Hi,

I am new to the board and I am so happy to find information on nutrition and psoriasis from real people, not books.
I have been trying to research this for months.
For the past two weeks I've tried to stick to a diet with no caffeine, wheat, dairy or yeast and although my psoriasis has not abated there is less itching.
Only time will tell. I've had psoriasis for 10 - 12 years and until menopause it was controlled with topical steroids. These have been ineffective for the past year and the Psoriasis is simply spreading.
So I'm trying diet.
Thanks for keeping a thread going on this.

Barbara in Minneapolis

[DottieD]

I wrote a summary of Your Healing Diet by Earls a few months ago. I've just bumped it back up for those who are thinking of trying her diet.

[lpagano]

Hi Chicagoscott, just wanted to welcome you. I myself am one of the drug people, but I admire your ability to stick with the diet.

[berice0]

French Meadow Bakery in Minneapolis makes wonderful breads and many are yeast & wheat free. They ship all over the country.

www.frenchmeadow.com

[peppermint]

Hi Chicagoscot and Welcome and Thanks for telling your story...and I totally applau your dietary changes and will power. I have been trying to do the same for months now but cave in for sweets after a few days.. How are you doing with your diet plan and are you clearing up at all? Thanks and have a great holiday!

[Courtney6]

Hi there. I have been reading so many postings today. I just joined. I am 32 and have had P since I was 5. The last 2 years i have had some really bad flare ups and currently its very bad. My doctor has been talking to me about taking Amieve, I am not sure. I have been eating Gluten free for the last month and it seems to help a little. The more I look up about which foods i should eat and not eat I get more frustrated. I would love to hear about anyones success stories with diet, food etc. My biggest frustration is trying to hide my P at all times.

[nina2002nina]

Hi there. I have been reading so many postings today. I just joined. I am 32 and have had P since I was 5. The last 2 years i have had some really bad flare ups and currently its very bad. My doctor has been talking to me about taking Amieve, I am not sure. I have been eating Gluten free for the last month and it seems to help a little. The more I look up about which foods i should eat and not eat I get more frustrated. I would love to hear about anyones success stories with diet, food etc. My biggest frustration is trying to hide my P at all times.


Hi Courtney,

I am 99% clear from diet/supps and Glycerin. I first took out Gluten and Milk products. I saw big improvements and then found out I was intolerant to eggs and soy. I stopped eating those for the most part and also started to avoid others (not 100%) like corn, nightshades, yeast and so on. I try to eat less red meat. I took out all soda and limited myself to 1 cup of coffee a day. I am also taking several supp's like Glutamine, Antiphlogistic, Curcumin, lot's of Fish oil, Querciten, zinc, Vit D, a whole food multi vitamin, and now I am adding Biotin and maybe a probiotic. I used to take some supp's that helped me get clear, but I no longer need them and they are Neem and Detox Support.

Eating is hard, but I try to think about it like this: A meat, potato or rice, and a vegetable is considered a decent meal. If I think about it like that I don't feel like I am suffering as much. I am also getting better at cooking and that helps. I also drink s Rice protein drink sometimes. I go off the diet from time to time, but the P starts to come back and some other issues too. The diet is tough, but life is a lot easier and a lot less painful without the pustular psoriasis all over my foot and hands. :0)

[one minute sunshine]

Does anyone know a good place to go on the Dead Sea? I read they are closed in January but this is the only time I can go. The links on the NPF website just seem like a regular dead sea travel site and it doesn't really tell you where the clinics are.

[JayBee]

due to the time of year and where the sun is relative to the earth january is not an ideal time to go. may-september is probably the optimal time frame. that said, you don't really need a clinic but it is important to pace your sun exposure.

Does anyone know a good place to go on the Dead Sea? I read they are closed in January but this is the only time I can go. The links on the NPF website just seem like a regular dead sea travel site and it doesn't really tell you where the clinics are.

[MadCat]

I have been on this diet for about five weeks and have had no outbreaks. Eventually, in a month or so, I would like to try discontinuing these entirely, but right now - I want to maintain my outbreak-free status and don't wish to risk it by discontinuing anything. Being psoriasis free has been a great incentive to keep me on the straight and narrow thus far.

Hello

Just an idea……….

Instead of classing it as a diet, class it as a new lifestyle change instead.

Psychology it worked for me.

The word diet sounds too restrictive, like you are denying or staving yourself. And that feeling is sure to bring out your inner child rebel.

If you treat your “diet” in your mind and verbal words, as a "healthy lifestyle change, that will nourish your body and heal your P", it may be easier to stick with.

Of course, if you have fantastic willpower it won’t matter.

But I know when I first cut out meat, dairy, bread, pasta etc…..and started raw vegan, I certainly use to struggle too.

Through consuming high percentage raw vegan foods, plus lots of daily vegetable juicing (and avoiding processed foods, meat, dairy, bread, pasta etc)…..I am 100% clear of P and have been for about nine months now.

In the past I never wanted to give up certain foods and so I had P pretty much my whole life.

Now I think........would I rather have eat whatever I want but still have P or would I rather stick with the new healthy lifestyle and not have it.

I am sure you can guess the correct answer on that one!

The great thing about raw vegan is the overwhelming choice of available meals. I actually have less of a repetitive lifestyle food wise now, than I did before.

And I also hate to break your bubble, but once you go back to your old food habits, the P will eventually return. It may not return immediately, but it will return over time.

I honestly believe (from my own experiences over nearly 39 years) that you will have to change your food choices permanently, if you want to see a permanent change.

Anyway good luck to you. I don't come to this board very often now that I am clear. But I would love to hear how you get on, so I will check back from time to time. So hope you will keep us updated.

EDIT: I have just noticed that the original post was from 2006, so I suppose there is not much point checking back. But would loved to have known how the OP got on.

[frommyvalentino]

Congrats on the outbreak free! And good luck onthe diet thing. I would NOT be able to do that.

[Naturally]

ChicagoScot-

I'm also very new to this site - about a week - but I'm finding out all kinds of things here! It really helps to know that other people are looking for a positive way to deal with p, too! I also completely changed my diet and eliminated gluten, sugar and dairy with very good results. After about 6 months of very strictly following it I let Thanksgiving be my reason for goofing off and am seeing a bit of a flare up, but now that the holidays are over I'm back on the good foot and expect to see things get better again. It seems like I can have a "treat" every now and then without any negative consequences... but it does seem harder for me to get back on track after I do it!

Sounds like you're doing great! Good luck to you and keep up the good work!

[Brian H]

ChicagoScot-

I'm also very new to this site - about a week - but I'm finding out all kinds of things here! It really helps to know that other people are looking for a positive way to deal with p, too! I also completely changed my diet and eliminated gluten, sugar and dairy with very good results. After about 6 months of very strictly following it I let Thanksgiving be my reason for goofing off and am seeing a bit of a flare up, but now that the holidays are over I'm back on the good foot and expect to see things get better again. It seems like I can have a "treat" every now and then without any negative consequences... but it does seem harder for me to get back on track after I do it!

Sounds like you're doing great! Good luck to you and keep up the good work!
There are lots of degrees and types of P., but my plaque on feet, shins, elbows, hands, and knees, and (butt-) inverse P., are controlled very well with just regular, and then later as-needed occasional, glycerin application. I eat lotsa pasta, spaghetti sauce, and use tomato-based BBQ sauce as a condiment instead of ketchup ('cause I like hot stuff). I eat bread, meats of any and all kinds, and dairy - about a gallon a week, plus various cheeses. My coffee consumption ranges between 1½ and 3 pots a day, some of it decaf. I supplement, especially in winter, with D3, when I think of it, generally 2000+ IU a day.

Decades ago I had some UV and steroid treatments, which worked, but came across the Glycerin info after the P. eventually returned and began bothering me (about 6 years ago), and have used nothing else since then. Sometimes I mix it with Vaseline for my soles, which get thick pads instead of flaking. Takes a few days, but the pads thin and fade if I remember to persist.