Guttate Psoriasis "runs it's course"???

[Coldzero0]

I've been recently diagnosed with GP and have been lucky enough to find a pretty cool Derm who is going to help me out.

My question is this. On EMedicineHealth.com it says "This type of psoriasis usually "runs its course" and goes away without treatment in a few weeks."
Is this true? I asked my Derm and he said that is soemtimes the case but he doesn't really know for sure because the people who decide to wait it out don't come back.

I am planning to treat it...just looking for a little hope that I wont look like this the rest of my life. It would be nice to know my body is also working on the problem while the meds or UVB is.

here is a link to the site

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/guttate_psoriasis/page4_em.htm#When%20to%20Seek%20Medical%20Care

-Shawn

[DottieD]

Hi Coldzero,
Welcome to the Board! There are a lot of people who have good information to share with you.

I have had psoriasis since I was 10, but it was always the plaque type. That is, until this summer when I had to have chemo for breast cancer. After several treatments I developed a severe reaction, getting the guttate form of psoriasis all over my body. (I had to discontinue the chemo early). It took about 6 weeks for me to see any improvement at all in my skin, despite a week of taking steroid pills and several weeks of methotrexate. It did seem that this skin problem just had to run its course. Then apparently the inflammation started going down, and I have been slowly but surely getting better. I'm still not back to being the way I was, and it's been 2 1/2 months.

I can only suggest that the length of time the guttate psoriasis stays with you may depend on the severity of the reaction that caused it. Don't get discouraged if it takes longer than a few weeks.

Good luck to you! DottieD

[kj422]

I have been living with GP (gutatte P) since about 1998. I could only wish that it would have taken a few weeks to go away. I think that there are times in our lives when it "goes away" or calms down, but unfortunately, I'm pretty sure it is here to stay.....at least till they find a cure. I would reccomend looking on the comp. and alternative board and look for Barney's Formula. This has REALLY helped me and many others. Good luck!!! You can always PM me to chat more about GP!!!

[ouchyk]

Hi,

Here is some information about guttate, I would run any " alternatives " by your dermatologist before trying, even the most simplest of formulars thought to help by well meaning folks can harm you if mixed with meds.

http://www.psoriasis.org/about/psoriasis/guttate.php

Karen

[lucygirl211]

Hi Shawn,
You might get lucky and have that happen to you, it happened to me when I was first diagnosed. I had GP all over my lower legs and arms (sore throat and a sunburn triggered it when I was 19); I saw a derm and he gave me a coal tar cream and I applied it every day, was outside a lot (summer) and it was gone in 2 months. I was clear and only got a tiny spot on my knee once in a while in the winter.

Then 12 years later, another sunburn and bam! GP that progressively got worse over the next 2 years and now I have all the time on my legs and arms, and bad on the back of my head--very flaky and itchy! It is frustrating that I got rid of it once and I hope that I can again...but it's been 9 years this time....BUT I just keep trying (anything I can) for another remission! My Mom had large plaque on her knees and elbows and after a few years it went away and now she has nothing at all. She doesn't know what she did (meds, diet, etc?)

I hope you find a treatment that works for you and it goes away quickly and doesn't get worse. It is possible. Stay positive and stay with a good derm who is up on new meds, etc and who LISTENS to you. Also, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!!! That is *so* important!

:)

[takook]

I must be one of the strange ones. I am having great difficulty getting my Guttate P to clear up this time. I have been strep postive for 2 months and on antibotics for the same amount of time off and on. My Guttate has not cleared up and I don't believe it will on it's own. I will never believe in the saying "it needs to run it's course", ever. Maybe I am a little negitive about it, but this outbreak has been taking it's toll on me. I am happy you found a cool Derm, wishing you the best!

[gamecock1982]

lucygirl221:

Wow! Its really interesting to hear a story like yours since it is pretty much EXACTLY like my story! I was also diagnosed when I was 19 (2000). Got it to clear up with a simple triamcinoline ointment application for a month. I was completely clear for 7 years! I got sunburn this past summer (early June) and now have a flare thats really bad at the sites of where the burn was worse. Now I cant seem to get that same remission that I had 7 yrs ago.
I know that it is possible and WILL happen again for us. Just gotta hang in there :)

Coldzero0:
When I was in remission the first time, I would periodically get a tiny spot or two. I rarely treated these with anything b/c they were so tiny and always seemed to eventually go away on their own in a few weeks. Having said that, if you are in the middle of a flare up (a lot more than one or two spots)...I dont think they go away on their own. But there is an excellent chance that you can get it to go into remission once you find the treatment that works for you.
Good Luck!

[princesstwinsmom]

Gosh, I wish mine had "run its course" and cleared up. It just kept getting worse until I started methotrexate in March this year - now it's completely gone.

Good luck to you!

[twinieten]

When I had my first gp flare, I used the steroid creams and it cleared up in about 2 months time. I haven't had a real flare since then. I'll get a few spots now and then which will clear up on their own in a couple of weeks. With my son, if we don't treat the p (mostly plaque) as soon as we see it, it gets worse pretty quickly.

[Coldzero0]

I just went and picked up some Clobex spray for my body. I am stopping by the Derm today to take a blood test for methotrexate. I'm not sure if i am going to go on it yet bot thought it best to prepare just incase. In the mean time I am going to use the spray and start UVB treatment. I have been using a cream form of clobex on my scalp for the last few days and cannot tell if it is helping at all....I'm not sure how long this stuff takes to kick in. It seamed like in the past when i used fluocinonide it would act pretty quick....but i think i have built up a tolerance to that cream.

anyways thankyou for all of the responses so far...it helps to not feel alone :)

-Shawn

[gamecock1982]

I use clobex spray too. It works really good. I have a problem with my guttate coming back once I stop using the meds...but perhaps if you ween yourself off of it even after you clear, you wont have a relapse.
I really hope it works for you too.
Good Luck and ... no, you are not alone :)

[cboles]

I just went and picked up some Clobex spray for my body. I am stopping by the Derm today to take a blood test for methotrexate. I'm not sure if i am going to go on it yet bot thought it best to prepare just incase. In the mean time I am going to use the spray and start UVB treatment. I have been using a cream form of clobex on my scalp for the last few days and cannot tell if it is helping at all....I'm not sure how long this stuff takes to kick in. It seamed like in the past when i used fluocinonide it would act pretty quick....but i think i have built up a tolerance to that cream.

anyways thankyou for all of the responses so far...it helps to not feel alone :)

-Shawn My Guttate (really bad) cleared up in about four days except for my hands and scalp. I have some ourbreak since I stopped Clobex. A spray is really good for Guttate because it is so widespread. I was just spreading other steroid creams all over. My derm has mentioned Embrel but I'm hoping to avoid that. If my hands would clear up, my gp is now something I could live with. I thought Clobex a miracle for me. Good luck with it but if you have as good a result as I did , you might want to taper off. I just stopped when the bottle was empty. CArolyn

[mattellie]

I have been waiting since about 1979 for my guttate to run its course :rolleyes:

I was also told p would clear in seven year cycles - I have my fingers crossed hoping it will be fourth time lucky :D

[Coldzero0]

So...I started using the spray yesterday and now my spots are more pink than red and all seem to have a little more scale on them than normal...I'm not sure if this is good or bad...any input?

[tymbersmom]

Hey I am not on here very much anymore. I was diagnosed with guttate in april after a severe strep throat infection. I have done uvb helped alot by the way! Taken Methotrexate. Changed derms because he was a jerk! Imagine that! Anyways found a new derm and with a few setbacks I am doing very well on Enbrel! By far enbrel was the fastest acting med I have taken and more importantly it gave me my life back. Like I said uvb helped alot but I got impatient and tired of going it was very time consuming for me. When my guttate cleared it went from the bright red color to more of a pink color and then I was left with hypopigmentation that has finally started to blend in. Just thought I would share my expirence if I can be of further help please feel free to pm me anytime. Good Luck to you!!! Robyn

[gamecock1982]

For me, mine goes in this cycle: starts out as really red bumps...turns into really red spots, turns more pinkish, begins to scale a little, then fades away. So, if you are anything like me...you sound like you are clearing. I always welcome the flaking b/c I know that I'm getting better and that my lesions are going away. Thats just me though.
Good luck!

[Coldzero0]

Thanks for the reply Gamecock. It does look a little bit better today...although i can almost always say that during the day...at night it always looks a little worse. But the itching is def better :) I'm going to have my 1st UVB treatment.

[bsavanigilbert]

Two of my children have gp and are very hesitant to do meds because of side effects. Scalps seem most difficult for both, however my 30 year old daughter had no gp at all during pregnancy--no way to bottle that! Anyway, light boxes have been God sends along with some diet concerns, and we all hope no tolerence-build up as with oinments. Hope this helps:) For my 22 yr old son I'm trying to research removal of tonsils to improve gp on forhead and cheekbone area. Keep sharing info and stay positive and healthy.

[gamecock1982]

Cool...I hope that the clobex keeps on working for you. Let us know how the UV treatments go. I have also considered that...but I'm pretty fair skinned and have been leary about it. I sure hope that you clear up soon. I think you will. Take Care.

[BrendaK]

I think I've had gp for about 3 or 4 years, and I just didn't know it.

For the past 3 or 4 years, every winter, I get one dry, stubborn spot on my face. No amount of cleaning, scrubbing, picking, lotion, anything, would get rid of it. I've always had dry patches on my scalp (which I thought was dandruff), and dry elbows and knees.

Usually the dry spot, "dandruff," and dry knees and elbows would go away after winter. I just shrugged and cursed Indiana winters for it. Now I know that it was gp, and I guess it used to run its course on me...?

But then I went on Effexor, and the p came out of the woodwork. My little dry spot came back and brought a truckload of friends. Thankfully they've stayed off the face (and other noticeable parts), and clobetasol seems to now be keeping them at bay.

So, to answer about "running its course," yeah, but I don't think it'll ever truly leave.

Bren

[Coldzero0]

Well after using Clobex for 2 weeks and having great reults...I have run out and can't afford more (after insurance it is still 175$ for me...and GP is back. Yesterday i noticed a few spots on my back. Now about 25% of it is covered. I'm also starting to notice spots on my chest again and the back of my thighs...also a few new spots on my face(I'm using Devonex for this). My derm gave me a box of talconex samples to use but it does not seam to work very well for me...also very oily. He also suggested using my clobestol solution in a spray bottle...that is what I am doing now...I'm scared for tomorrow morning. I am on my 2nd week of UVB...i missed one week because I was in Chicago.

I just found out I will be going to work on the road within the next month or so for about 3months...which leads me to think that MX might be the way to go. It will be hard to find UVB at that point and easier to just get blood tests done at the dr. I hope Mx works...I'm going to keep doing UVB in the mean time (hopefully overlap) ...but this is all adding up cost wise pretty quick.

any suggestions on what to do in the next 6 weeks? maybe cutting out alcohol all together might help....maybe improving my diet...

I want to start going back to the gym but am afraid the exercise/perspiration will agitate the P.

I wish i could afford more clobex...would have been nice to start using it after the week break.

anyway..sorry for rambling on...I hope everyone is having a good night.

Peace-Shawn

[gamecock1982]

Hey Shawn,

I'm sorry to hear that your p is coming back. I've had the same problem too. I've been fighting this current outbreak of gp since June. It was my first bad outbreak in 7 years. I still believe that after a while it will go into remission on its own (at least I hope so).
I know its strange to alot of people on here, but triamcinoline ointment cleared my skin to 100 % when I got my very first outbreak of gp. It went away for 7 years...up to this past June when I got a REALLY bad sunburn. I dont know if the topical did it or if it just went into remission on its own. Who knows. It hurts to think about it now, though, since it doesnt seem to be going into remission as fast this time.
My p will stay gone as long as I am using the clobex. But within a few days to a week of stopping application, it comes right back. Mine doesnt seem to get any worse, it just comes back in the same exact locations that it was before. Almost like the clobex was just hiding it all along.
Regardless though, I will stand by clobex until it stops working or until I can finally get my insurance to cover Enbrel or until I try out UV treatment :)
I really hope that you can find something that works for you. I understand about the Taclonex. Its hard to go to an oily topical after using something as easy to use as clobex.

About working out, I find that it helps my p. I used to workout everyday (light weight training and jogging) and I would get a little sweaty...but right after my workout I would shower and moisturize and I would feel GREAT and so would my skin. In fact...working out releases natural endorphines that make you feel good about yourself regardless and release stress too. And remember, if you feel good...you look good too ;) I believe that ultimately helps p a bit. I never had a problem with my p when I worked out. But since I've fallen out of my routine...I am having a problem with it again. Perhaps there is a link there....

About the alcohol, I quit all together back in June thinking that drinking was the problem. I never really showed any signs of improvement, so I quit not drinking :)

HOWEVER, if you are going to try MX out..you need to stop drinking anyway as that could hurt your liver. On the plus side, a good friend of mine with STUBBORN plaque p (seriously...nothing helps her) tried out MX a while back and she was clear while on it. Unfortunately, it came back when she stopped...but everyone is different. It could be just what you need to send your p into a long remission. And that is truely what I hope for you and everyone else, a LONG LONG LONG remission. One that lasts until there is finally a cure!!!!

Take Care,

Jess

[BrendaK]

I don't have any great advice. My work is also going to start requiring that I travel a little more, and I'm not looking forward to it. There's nothing like a full night of boozing clients and then having to go back to the hotel room and applying ointment (when all I really want to do is open the door and fall onto the nearest soft surface). Not to mention that I FedEx my medicine to my hotel beforehand because I'm afraid of airport security! :)

The clobetasol still seems to be working ok for me for now (except on the scalp), and it's $15 for a big tube with my insurance. I can't believe that one of your medicines is $175 with insurance - crazy.

Good luck!

[Brian H]

Hey Shawn,

I'm sorry to hear that your p is coming back. I've had the same problem too. I've been fighting this current outbreak of gp since June. It was my first bad outbreak in 7 years. I still believe that after a while it will go into remission on its own (at least I hope so).
I know its strange to alot of people on here, but triamcinoline ointment cleared my skin to 100 % when I got my very first outbreak of gp. It went away for 7 years...up to this past June when I got a REALLY bad sunburn. I dont know if the topical did it or if it just went into remission on its own. Who knows. It hurts to think about it now, though, since it doesnt seem to be going into remission as fast this time.
My p will stay gone as long as I am using the clobex. But within a few days to a week of stopping application, it comes right back. Mine doesnt seem to get any worse, it just comes back in the same exact locations that it was before. Almost like the clobex was just hiding it all along.
Regardless though, I will stand by clobex until it stops working or until I can finally get my insurance to cover Enbrel or until I try out UV treatment :)
I really hope that you can find something that works for you. I understand about the Taclonex. Its hard to go to an oily topical after using something as easy to use as clobex.

About working out, I find that it helps my p. I used to workout everyday (light weight training and jogging) and I would get a little sweaty...but right after my workout I would shower and moisturize and I would feel GREAT and so would my skin. In fact...working out releases natural endorphines that make you feel good about yourself regardless and release stress too. And remember, if you feel good...you look good too ;) I believe that ultimately helps p a bit. I never had a problem with my p when I worked out. But since I've fallen out of my routine...I am having a problem with it again. Perhaps there is a link there....

About the alcohol, I quit all together back in June thinking that drinking was the problem. I never really showed any signs of improvement, so I quit not drinking :)

HOWEVER, if you are going to try MX out..you need to stop drinking anyway as that could hurt your liver. On the plus side, a good friend of mine with STUBBORN plaque p (seriously...nothing helps her) tried out MX a while back and she was clear while on it. Unfortunately, it came back when she stopped...but everyone is different. It could be just what you need to send your p into a long remission. And that is truely what I hope for you and everyone else, a LONG LONG LONG remission. One that lasts until there is finally a cure!!!!

Take Care,

Jess
I've been using Glycerin USP with great success, and recently saw some background info that indicates exercise boosts natural glycerin levels, as it is a breakdown product of your fats (triglycerides) which get burned during your sweaty exertions! It seems that your skin cell layers normally "float" in glycerin, and it gets refreshed by exercise -- or by direct application.

It will penetrate the skin just fine, or it can be taken orally, though I have no personal experience with dosage for that.

[andrewhmoore]

Hey all,

I had a severe guttate p outbreak 2 years ago, and couldn't get it under control until I (1) treated an underlying strep infection with antibiotics, and (2) took for MTX for about 3 months.

Steroid creams and pills were not effective for me, and, I think, may have had a rebound effect, making the p more ferocious. And about that underlying strep infection, I didn't even have a sore throat at the time - I had had one 6 weeks before! The sore throat went away, but I guess the strep bacteria stayed in my body and got stronger.

It took me from October of 05 until mid-January of 06 to clear on MTX, and I had some residual dark patches, almost like bruises, underneath my skin that took another year or so to fade. So far, I'm pretty much clear (and winter is over, yay!), but I do notice a few spots now and then.

I've changed my life in the following ways:

1) I use a moisturizer every day, even when it's warm and muggy.
2) I try to keep extremely good dental hygeine, to keep my throat healthy and strep resistant (floss, brush, and use listerine religiously, and change my toothbrush frequently)
3) At the first sign of a sore throat, I go to the doctor and get a strep test. Then, without waiting for the results (which can take up to 3 days), I start taking antibiotics (which my wonderful NYC dermatologist and GP will give me, knowing my situation). If the test comes negative, I stop taking the antibiotics.

So far, so good. The only word of caution I have is that sometimes I think the MTX gave me a mild case of "chemo brain" - I sometimes forget things, and seem to make more typos than I did before MTX. : O On the other hand it might just be normal aging (scary in itself!).

I hope this helps you. I've always found these boards to be helpful. Remember, you're not alone!

Wishing everyone peace and health,
Andrew

[northerngal]

Shawn - I had a major GP flare in mid March. My doctor (whom I saw on March 26th) prescribed HALOG cream. It's a pharmacy mixed compound of tar, sal. acid and a steriod. Stinks like heck but in 12 hours I saw improvement. Speak with your doctor about this when you have an opportunity. It's now April 21st and my GP is GONE and I only have about 10-12 mild spots that are clearing.

Hang in there :)

[livia]

Hi, I just joined and am trying to figure out how to use the message board, I don't know how to create a post or a thread other than replying to an existing one. So here I am, I hope this works lol.

I developed a pretty severe case of guttate psoriasis in the beginning of December, and it took about 3 months to begin to clear up. Sunlight was, by far, the most effective treatment. Now, 2 months later, it's almost gone but I still have scars all over my body from the spots - Andrew had mentioned on this board that he had dark spots for about a year afterwards, that sounds like what I have. I'll get an occasional new spot here and there but thankfully that's all so far.

I've read that many people who have had an outbreak of guttate psoriasis will develop plaque psoriasis. I haven't been able to find much information about people with an outbreak of guttate psoriasis who have another guttate outbreak later on. I'm worried about that. Has anyone on here had guttate psoriasis more than once, and what was the second trigger?

Also, I've been wanting to get a tattoo, but I'm rethinking it now after reading about the Koebler effect. Most of the stuff I read was about people with plaque psoriasis though, so I'm wondering if anyone has information about guttate psoriasis and tattoos. Could a tattoo trigger a guttate outbreak, or would it cause a plaque even though I haven't had any plaques before? And if it did cause a plaque, would that make me more prone to future outbreaks? Would it be better if I waited until this outbreak is 100% gone to get a tattoo, or would that not make a difference?

I appreciate any feedback, thanks everyone.

Anna

[JCEEZ]

I"ve had gp, since about August of 07. I was living in Japan at the time as an English teacher and drinking A LOT. Got back home in Feb, havent drank at all, but still got the gp. It's much much better, but I'd still freak people out if they just saw it as it is now. I've gotten on anti-biotics, didn't do much, a bunch of steroid creams, dovonex... it takes like 30 minutes to get it on all over, with help from my Mom, for my back and hard to reach spots. I get a good amount of sun and do UVB. This is horrible, I want it to go away now! I am still hesitant to take MTX or pills, cus I think having a liver biopsy is kinda worse then psoriasis, but thats just me. I don't have insurance, so I got the dovonex from Canada for like $100 (or $400 here). On Barney's formula now also, but again, its better, but still bad.

=(

[RichJ]

Hi, I just joined and am trying to figure out how to use the message board, I don't know how to create a post or a thread other than replying to an existing one. So here I am, I hope this works lol.

I developed a pretty severe case of guttate psoriasis in the beginning of December, and it took about 3 months to begin to clear up. Sunlight was, by far, the most effective treatment. Now, 2 months later, it's almost gone but I still have scars all over my body from the spots - Andrew had mentioned on this board that he had dark spots for about a year afterwards, that sounds like what I have. I'll get an occasional new spot here and there but thankfully that's all so far.

I've read that many people who have had an outbreak of guttate psoriasis will develop plaque psoriasis. I haven't been able to find much information about people with an outbreak of guttate psoriasis who have another guttate outbreak later on. I'm worried about that. Has anyone on here had guttate psoriasis more than once, and what was the second trigger?

Also, I've been wanting to get a tattoo, but I'm rethinking it now after reading about the Koebler effect. Most of the stuff I read was about people with plaque psoriasis though, so I'm wondering if anyone has information about guttate psoriasis and tattoos. Could a tattoo trigger a guttate outbreak, or would it cause a plaque even though I haven't had any plaques before? And if it did cause a plaque, would that make me more prone to future outbreaks? Would it be better if I waited until this outbreak is 100% gone to get a tattoo, or would that not make a difference?

I appreciate any feedback, thanks everyone.

Anna
hi anna,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you have meet some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you. maybe some one will come through and help with your ?

have a good night all

richard

[Baytoven]

Obviously this audience is gathered of P patients that have suffered long enough to seek out an internet forum for support, so I wouldn't expect to find many people that fit that question here. It would be a rare person that bothered to get it accurately diagnosed if they only had it for a few weeks (how long did it take for all of you to get your first derm appt?) which leads me to wonder if those whose GP ran its course in a few weeks were accurately diagnosed in the first place. I suspect that for those who cleared in a few weeks, there was a trigger that was removed from the environment.

[Kage]

Get into the UVB both :) I go here http://www.daseattle.com/ and am seeing Dr. Clive

inshort: I had my 1st gp breakout last dec.

Stared uvb treatments 3x a week, altered my diet(no gluten, dairy, nighshades lots of info on the boards) and am now down to 1x a week.

All of my GP dots are gone, the Plaque P I had on my hands, elbow ect have diminished to almost non existent. I do have some left on my face but with the sun coming out and dovenex, i should be fine. Its decreasing.

I no longer itch, Im back to shortsleves and shorts are in my future for the summer, Whoot!

it's a commitment to go 3x a week , taking the time out of your day can be difficult but for me it was well worth it. Also you get a little tan, and being bald in Seattle its nice not to be pasty white ;)