Ramblin on

[Sparky]

Got the p 8-9 yrs ago after a bout with chicken pox. Was 32 at the time and wondered what was common catalysts for p and if others derived this in same manners?
Have been really distressed with the situation and are trying to come to terms with this. Seems like I get depressed and frustrated not understanding what is happening fully, but mainly get tired of it all and wore out. I was searching for a support system as this one is on the web through searches on p and NPF and now realize that I am not alone and am probably a very lucky individual.
My condition is not debilitating or apparent but is embarrassing and seems to be more of a mind focus as of late. Does this p typically get worse?
It involves scalp, back, elbows and dots on legs, drives you nuts on the itch factor.
Can't wait for summer, hydration in pool daily and sun is a great relief. Will the sun and chlorine typically worsen the p over time?
Currently a junkie of dovenex, and clobetasol as topical and dermasmooth on the scalp. I am finding that these regimens are hard to keep and seems that the effectiveness is less over time. Will the use of these products become pointless over time? ( I don't maintain well )
Other than the derm I have never talked to anyone about p and have been fervently reading all I can about it in NPF mag and now on the message board.
Is there a support group in KC?
To date I have always considered myself to be indestructible, tough, self supportive and just plain stubborn and do not need help from anyone. Time has tempered this and I now see the value of networking.
I know now that this system is in fact a very important two way street as information seems to go both ways and can help in many ways not known.
I appologize for the lack of brevity, this is the first time to log on.

Thanks, Brad

[Kristy]

Brad, you will find this sight very helpful in so many ways. Keep reading the message board and you will learn alot(Ihave). Dr.'s see many patients and I find it much more helpful to post a question here or do a serch on this sight and find answeres that even my Dr. didn't know. From my own personal experience I have found that the P. will overcome all topicals eventually. It is an irratic disease and you never know what will and will not work for any individual. I have found that after taking a rest for several months on topicals that don't seem to be effective any more, that I can return to them after a break with some luck again. As I have read here a hundred times, there is no known cure for this. If you find something that controls it to a bearable point then it is working. Anyway, a big welcome to the message board. From one rambler to anouther good luck.

[jeffreys]

Brad,

I know where your coming from, one tough guy to another. I am 34 and have had this for 12 years. Theres alot of good treatments out there for it and some better ones for the future.
Anything you want to know about various treatments , I have most likely been there. THis message board is great. Many informative and great human beings.
Psoriasis doesn't discriminate. It could hit anybody but with support,mental toughness,and knowledge you will kick its ass.
Jeff

[timba]

Hi, I got the big p about one year ago. i had it all, the itch pain, flakes, blazing
red of my face and body. cuts on my feet
and hands but the worse, the absolute worse,
was the feeling I could not do this alone.
I needed help bad. Desperation made me sit
down with a computer and learn how to use it
because I needed a support group. I had to
know I wasn't the only one with this horror.
I am now on cyclosprorin and as the dermatologist says I am turning the corner.
It is far from gone but I am getting my physical strenght back. Work was becoming so difficult that the derm stated that maybe it was some to take some time off. Couldn't,
wouldn't. I have given up so much already
I was a pretty woman who dressed nicely, wore
make-up and wore jewelry. Now, I have been
reduced to a woman that wears only vaseline and old clothes because the creams and lotions ruin my clothes. I have bcome isolated and lost the energy to do extra things. There are other people with some terminal diseases and I have to remember that when I am having a bad moment. Go to the computer and ramble on. It helps.

[Angef]

Oh Brad, I can sympathize with you. I beleive my p started with repeated bouts of strep. It is an autoimmune disease, not a skin disorder. So I beleive any illness that compromised the immune system can lead to an outbreak of p. Oh and the itch!!! It never seems to stop. My derm did give me some medicine (oral) to calm the itching so at least I could sleep at night. Its not practical during the day though. My p does seems to get better during the summer months. I does seem to worsen and get better. Did you know that stress will cause your p to worsen? A lot of p sufferers take antidepressants to help with that. There are many products on the market that we can try and I do beleive that we are close to a cure. I went on methotrexate for about 8 months and it cleared my p completely. It is easy to get down about this condition. I have sat with bottles and jars of creams before me and done the enny menny thing because it seemed that one did as much as another. If you find a product that works for you stick with it and use it religiously no matter how much trouble it is. We are all in this together. Never feel like you are all alone. God Bless!
Ange

[Sparky]

I really want to thank all the warm hearted people on the board. I have read over each article several times and find it very soothing. Again thanks and may the very best be yours. Brad

[slg]

WARNING!!! Do not go into a swimming pool. Chlorine will make the p worse. I was a camp counselor last summer and I got my derm to write a letter stating that I can't swim for that reason. I did get in the pool once to make my campers happy and regretted it from the minute I got the first spot wet.
I learned that psoriasis casues a visious cycle. You get depressed about having it, which triggers stress which makes it worce and then you start all over again. You need to find a treatment that works and stick with it. Through the web you can do research about the different treatment options. If what you are doing now does not work, make an appointment with your derm and let him/her know that. Eventually you can become immune to the topicals. I did not get results until I told my derm that I was not using the creams the way I should and that I needed to clear up. We found a different treatment option and I have made sure that I get what I want from my new derm. Not only is this your physical well being at stake but your mental health as well. Read my post about "be your own advocate" for more details.
Shana