UVB Treatment - Where to buy beds?

[emeraldcheral]

Ok, so I believe I need UVB Treatment, my derm doesn't, go figure. I know people who have less severe psoriasis and less of it on their bodies and have been recommended. But every summer my P nearly goes away and in winter it becomes extremely inflamed and painful. At any rate even if I were to get a 'subscription' for it, its very far away. So my question is to everyone is do you know where I can buy a bed, possibly used. I also read somewhere you can get small 'light boxes' that are cheaper and will just do a localized area of your body. I live in Canada, have seen many websites selling this stuff, but I don't know which ones are legit and also don't want to pay in American Funds if at all possible. I would appreciate any feedback anyone can give me. Thank you.

[twinieten]

This is from a past post, a resource list at NPF for people looking to buy or sell their phototherepy equipment. Maybe try giving them a call http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21582&highlight=resource+list

Also, just a little while ago, a topic here was about a company in Australia that sells home phototherepy equipment without a prescription. With you being in Canada, I"m not sure what "rules" would apply, or if you have to have a prescription. I don't know if anyone owns one and has an opinion about it. http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18029&highlight=uvb+company. Here's the actual web site. http://www.beatpsoriasis.com/pricelist.htm

Here's a guy looking to sell http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21976&highlight=sale, posted recently.

If you get a prescription, Daavlin and National Biological come to mind. My hand/foot unit is from National Biological. I got a UVA/Narrow Band UVB combonation unit so I wouldn't be tied down to one treatment. My son is doing UVA now, but I want him to switch to NBUVB later. They even have BBUVB and NBUVB combonation units available.

My son only has about 1% coverage, at most 2%, but it was severe enough to start PUVA. His problem areas were his feet, and his hand continues to be a problem. He started with a hand/foot unit in June of this year.

I think it's odd that your derm won't let you at least try! If fhe gives you a prescription, will insurence cover the cost of a machine? Is he resistent to giving you a prescription? Have you tried tanning beds?

HTH

[sarahincanada]

Ok, so I believe I need UVB Treatment, my derm doesn't, go figure. I know people who have less severe psoriasis and less of it on their bodies and have been recommended. But every summer my P nearly goes away and in winter it becomes extremely inflamed and painful. At any rate even if I were to get a 'subscription' for it, its very far away. So my question is to everyone is do you know where I can buy a bed, possibly used. I also read somewhere you can get small 'light boxes' that are cheaper and will just do a localized area of your body. I live in Canada, have seen many websites selling this stuff, but I don't know which ones are legit and also don't want to pay in American Funds if at all possible. I would appreciate any feedback anyone can give me. Thank you.


hey! Im in canada too and just purchased a UVB lamp this week from Solarc Systems www.solarcsystems.com. They are based in Barrie and the guy there Steve is really great. They supply bulbs to Womens College hospital which is where I did my UVB treatment. You do need a doctors note though, I would ask to be referred to a different derm, I got a note and dont have too much right now. I purchased the small hand held device for my elbows and hairline, you can expose only a small area due to these little 'shades' you put on the lamp.

A bit about me: had psoriasis all my life, 3 years ago after my dad died it really flared up and I had these small lumps all over my body. My derm kept giving me different creams, I dont have insurance and one cost over $100 and didnt work! I asked to be referred to someone else and this derm took one look at me and said 'you cant put creams over all that' and sent me to Womens Collage for the UVB therapy. I had to go 3 x a week for 3 months, the first month nothing was happening and all of a sudden it all went! I couldnt believe it, Ive never been almost all clear my whole life. A few stubborn areas stayed on my elbows. I stayed clear about a year and now some is creaping back, I cannot be refered back to the hospital as you need to have a lot on your body to go there, so thats why Im ordering the lamp for home. It really changed my life and I believe people with small areas should be able to use it thats why I say ask to see someone else (can give you my derms name if you want but dont know if you are near toronto). For my stubborn areas I recently had steroid injections and it completely cleared a loonie sized lesion on my elbow and it hasnt returned. So with the injections and the lamp Im set!

[RichJ]

hi emeraldcheral,
sorry i can't help much but 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 weekend all

richard

[belldane]

I have used www.solarcsystems.com for my bulbs. Steve there is great. He gives you a lot of info...more than any other co. that I contacted. :D

Talk to some other co. out there, but give him (Steve) a call all so. Tell him Patty from Louisisan said hi, if you do! :)

Patty

[craigador]

I began UVB 5 months ago, from 85% covered to about 5 % just on lower legs. Simply incredible. I purchased my unit 2nd hand, it is a daavlin, if you google Daavlin, you will find there website. If you are going to do outpatient I know that it can be time consuming, but it will be well worth it in the end.
best of luck.

[sarahincanada]

I have used www.solarcsystems.com for my bulbs. Steve there is great. He gives you a lot of info...more than any other co. that I contacted. :D

Talk to some other co. out there, but give him (Steve) a call all so. Tell him Patty from Louisisan said hi, if you do! :)

Patty


yes steve is great!!