A Serious question for all you out there....

[purpleroz]

Hi I am new to this group... I am 32 yrs old and have had P & PA for going on 12 yrs. At first it was misdiagnosed, then told other things....until finally I now know what it is, although due to divorce & such I have NO insurance. Over the last 3 years with the stress of divorce and such, my P has spread to those unmentionable parts of my female body (downstairs). My question is (if anybody can tell me) will it go up inside the private areas or will it remain like an unending yeast infection???? Please I am need of some advice here, other than thinking I am going crazy. I have the P on my scalp, under my breast, on my elbows, a patchy spot on my back, spots on my sides and belly and my ring finger and pinky finger on my left hand have deformed due to this disease. My feet are also starting to deform, and still they say I am too "young" for disability so onward I go.... hoping to find others who maybe can help me in times of depression. I do have a tube of "dovonex" that is almost gone that I save for the spot under my breast when it gets really raw and I just can't take it anymore, but that tube was $$$. Can I use it down below on the more sensitive areas?? Thanks for all and any help.

[MikeK]

Purpleroz,

Welcome to the Board! :cool: Sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time. :( The good news is that you've come to the right place. A lot of nice and helpful people post here. More important, it's great to FINALLY be able to ask questions, vent, exchange info, or even share some laughs with people who truly understand. :)

It's my understanding that Dovonex can't be used on "sensitive" areas of the body. However, the NPF, in their discussion of Dovonex, suggests:Be careful if using it on the face and groin areas; it can sometimes cause irritation.Here's a link to the complete discussion: http://psoriasis.org/treatment/psoriasis/calcipotriene.php. Here's a link to some additional information about Dovonex: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/dov1648.shtml.

I have psoriasis on my groin area. I use Protopic (www.protopic.com -- sorry about the pop-up). Other people use Elidel (www.elidel.com) to treat psoriasis on sensitive parts of their body. (BTW, both Protopic and Elidel are approved for eczema, but are often prescribed for psoriasis.)
Since you don't' have insurance, you might want to look into www.needymeds.com. It sounds like a scam site, but several people who post here have been helped by it. Here's link to a thread that has two www.needymeds.com success stories: http://psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=3979.

Hope this helps.

Good luck. Keep us posted and please don't be a stranger.

Mike

[kaynorth]

Dear Purpleroz

Sorry to hear you are going through it.

I don't know if this will help as I am in the UK but I am sure that you can get this product in the US (not sure about price - it is about £30 for 250ml bottle here.

It is called EXOREX. It is the lotion (they do a range of products) that I use all over my body - even downstairs. It is a coal tar base and some enzyme from bananas. It does make your skin feel tight and dry so I use emulsifying ointment ( cheap £3 for a large tub) or a good moisturiser after the Exorex has dried. It is the only thing that has cleared my P in 20 years - but like all these things - they don't work for everyone. It has no harmful stuff in it and is even suitable for babies. It will usually take 12 weeks to clear P - mine takes a bit longer as it is a bit more extensive than yours. Mine always flares in the winter but I usually can be clear by June.

Check out the website www.exorex.com. I think that is right -you may have to do a search.

Hope this helps

Love Kay

[pamiam]

Sorry to hear of your agony. I KNOW how you feel. I am 33. After giving birth 10 months ago, my P and PA went out of control. My scalp is the worse. But everyday it seems that I devolop a new patch on my face. I too, had it "down there" years ago and it went away. Now it is back. I have tried everything. I just stopped Enbrel today because it was making me so dizzy and my symptoms were just getting worse. My fingers, neck, and hip have awful pain. I have also developed some form of Alopecia-the worse thing that has ever happened to me. I can't get any help for it either. All my hair is almost gone, lashes, brows...
I did want to tell you-the last time it was so bad-IT DID GET BETTER. So, I am just praying it will this time too. I am sure it will for you too. Trust me, I know what it feels like to be hopeless. I had to give up my teaching job at age 33. Now, I haven't been out of the house in months because of my appearance. I know about stress and divorce. Thats what is doing this to you. No matter how bad things get I have to tell myself, "this too will pass." I have tried so many meds and given up on them. Maybe you will find something. (baby oil helps down there). If you ever want to talk I'm at sjennings@netburner.net.

Love and prayers,
Pammy

[fiddler]

And -- they tell us to get the lesions exposed to the sun! :)

As one who also has it where the sun doesn't shine -- I have found that Aveeno Diaper Rash cream works better than anything I've tried. It is in the baby/diaper aisle; but it works and is a relief. I use it at night and again after showering. If you try it -- only use the tiniest amount possible or it gets really pasty/gummy/grose! 'hope this helps. -- fiddler