Confused

[cbenji]

I to, am very new to psoriasis. My regular Dr. could not help me and refered me to a derm. However, there are no openings for new patients until the end of April! So, I went to Urgent care and begged to see a derm. He has prescribed serveral ointments, one being Noble forumal with clob. Has anyone used this and what was your reaction? What I am confused about, is when you use a steriod treatment and it clears up, does the psoriasis come back stronger? So far I have not used the product, just the dovonex. Some of psoriasis is turning white with a red ring. This is a positive sign right?!
Hopefully things will clear up, I see my new derm at the end of April. Any advice?

[rhop]

Hi - I have not been through the endless ointments and treatments, but from what I've read here on this site for a year, yes, the p. comes back, often with a vengeance, when various treatments are discontinued. And yes, white with a red ring does mean healing. Good Luck, keep us posted, Rosemary

[kellyr]

Hello,

I am currenlty on Dovonex and Cormax (clobetasol). I have not yet had any adverse reaction to the steriod. Here's what I have found after using on and off for 3 1/2 years. At first, it made my lesions disappear. Over time, I'm not as responsive to it - but it does help.

A couple of tips for the clobetasol - use the minimum amount required. Basically, make sure it is a super thin layer that covers the lesion(s) only. Less is more. Do not use with any type of plastic wrapping. I put old cotton pants and t-shirt on after I put it on.

It sounds like the Dovonex is working for you. Dovonex did not work for me in the past - but I decided to give it a try again and this time, it's been pretty effective. I have not experienced complete clearance from these ointments - but, I have improved about 85%.

Another thing that I am doing - which I believe is helping my skin overall is taking oil supplements. You may want to try this in conjuction. Per day, I take:
2 grams of Borage Oil
2 grams of evening primrose oil
2 grams of flaxseed oil
2 grams of cod liver oil
2 grams of milk thistle

I'd like to hear from someone who is following a similiar regimine that has had good results.

Good luck with your derm. Keep us posted!

[Neesybird]

Hi,

I've been using ointments and steroid creams since I was a kid. They do make the lesions go away. By the way I'm assuming we're talking about plaque P here. Anyway, the rub (pardon the pun) is that the P does get used to it, so prolonged use will require your derm to steadily up the percentage over the years. Also, prolonged use does result in the thinning of your skin. I have spots on my pelvis and after using the cream for years have noticed veins that I couldn't see before. So my advice would be to ask your derm about the side effects, such as the thinning of skin, and to use the cream as little as possible. My presciption says to apply twice a day. I apply once a day until the lesion disappears, then once a week if I notice redness. I also suggest that once your outbreak is under control, to switch to a less potent (even over the counter if you can) ointment, and keep the stronger stuff around solely for the occasional severe flare ups.


Hope this helps.

laters,
Neesy

[PJ Leary]

Hello,

First, welcome to the forum ,there are many helpful and nice folks who post here.
This is a wonderful sight for gaining helpful information.

Since you said that you've just come down with p, I suggest you spend some time reading the previous postings on the board, there is a wealth of knowledge there.

I've had severe p for 20+ years, and have experience with many different types of treatment. I am concerned that the ER Dr who gave you the scripts was not experienced enough to offer the best solution.

Clobetasol is a very potent steroid, and should be used with caution. It is not a good starting place for the person with new disease in most cases. A more appropriate choice might have been a simple TAC ( triamcinilone ) cream.

When using the clobetasol, one needs to be very careful about the amount used and the exposure time. It should not be used for more than two weeks of continuous treatment as it can have an adverse effect on the adrenal glands.

I fully understand the frustration of having to wait several months for an appointment to see a dermatologist. However, in the meantime, there are many otc products available that can lessen your symptoms and make you more comfortable.

What you are going to learn, if you have not already, is that this is a disease that takes up a bunch of time for treatment, no matter which way you go. If you take that to heart now, it will be easier for you as you go along.

I urge you to research both this board and this website, and learn as much as you can. Always, feel free to post questions here, we will help as much as we can. The best thing you can do for yourself is to be well educated when you walk in the door for your first derm appointment.

Take care.

[chefess]

I too just started adding oils to my new intake of vtamins and such...fich oil capsuls and primrose capsuls (I'd have to go look at the size, but they'd be the standard size) I lloked at the milk thisle and the flax seed but since I think this flare is connected to the soy estrogen supplements I was taking (I have a lot of plant allergies)and the symptoms are starting to subside, I didn't want to chance the plant oils. I'd taken primrose oil before so I knew it wouldn't be a problem. I do think that this topic should be put in the "alternative treatment topic as it's related and could be of intrest to those that may just read that topic...just a thought.
WFIFD
Bonnie

[chaimFL]

Truthfully, if you are seeing good results with the Dovonex then don't bother with the steroids because they can be counterproductive in the long run.

Steroids as you said can cause a rebound flare and it can make the P spread....that I can tell you from experience. I like to tell people that Ultravate is a favorite cream of mine as it has caused some of my most memorable flares (trying to add humor to my misery).

This is why Dovonex is good.....it is not a steroid, and it will not cause a rebound flare. Of course the downside is that it works slower and most of the time not as well.

An alternative would be to use the Dovonex Monday - Friday and the Clobetasol Saturday and Sunday......this will limit the possibility of a flare and the problem of skin thinning, but will still give you some of the advantages of using a steriod.

A good natural solution (doesn't work for everyone, and tanning beds have been used as a substitute) is sunlight. UV rays act as immune suppressants (little known fact) and with frequent exposure ( 3-4 times a week) great results can be seen over time.....but it is very important not to burn as that can and will make things worse.

I hope this helps some....good luck and don't be a stranger!!

[makeitgoaway]

Originally posted by chefess
I too just started adding oils to my new intake of vtamins and such...fich oil capsuls and primrose capsuls (I'd have to go look at the size, but they'd be the standard size) I lloked at the milk thisle and the flax seed but since I think this flare is connected to the soy estrogen supplements I was taking (I have a lot of plant allergies)and the symptoms are starting to subside, I didn't want to chance the plant oils. I'd taken primrose oil before so I knew it wouldn't be a problem. I do think that this topic should be put in the "alternative treatment topic as it's related and could be of intrest to those that may just read that topic...just a thought.
WFIFD
Bonnie

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