** New Recruit **

[mosschops]

Hi Everyone

Just had a good read before deciding to register but once I read all the kind, helpful things that people have to say I couldn't resist! A real wake up call that I am not the only person out there who looks like this and feels so frustrated 

I'm a 32 year old mum of 2 beautiful girls, with the most fantastic supportive husband. I've had P on and off for about 15 years - tiny patch on my face, 2p piece size on my elbow and that was all! Due to my dad being a sufferer for 40 years, my GP always gave me Alphosyl HC cream (now that is going back some years).

Had nothing for years really, forgot I had it, then unfortunately my husband had a TIA (mini kind of stroke) 18 months ago and since then you wouldn't believe my body. GP put initial flare up down to 'stress' due to hubby being poorly but he made a full recovery, under went key hole surgery and is now fighting fit yet I can't get rid of this & am also suffering from Psoriatic Arthritis.

Only found this site tonight cos I was trying to find more info on Methotrexate as just been prescribed by derm. So much info available I'll be reading all night long....

mosschops     

[jotee]

Hello Mosschops,

Welcome to the forum!  You're not alone; we all know how it feels to look like this and be so frustrated! I'm sure you'll find lots of useful threads on MTX here too.

Good luck with your research.

Jotee xxx 

[Joan J]

Hello and welcome from me too.  You will finds loads of useful info on here and make a few friends too.  I am glad that your hubby is okay - P has a way of creeping up when you think it is all over.
Keep readding and posting - it is great even if you just want a bit of a gripe - best support I have ever found regarding psoriasis
Joan
 

[mosschops]

Thanks Joan

Think that is just my problem. Want to have a moan & to complain but you do it to family & they try to support & lift your spirits yet try as they might they can't comprehend how you actually feel about it. That sounds stupid seeing my dad has suffered for 40 years but he feels guilty - guilt that I am like this & suffering more than him when it came from his genes & any comversation in front of him about it brings more frustration!

Don't want to sound shallow to anyone out there but the thing that gets me down most is how I look to other people! Healthy skin looks great, you glow etc etc. Red, flaky itchy skin & suddenly I feel like less of a woman (sorry if that comment offends anyone). Totalyy change of life style - new clothes covering my body, change of hair style to cover horrendous scaly scalp. I'm not me anymore, I'm hiding what I have cos I can't deal with it & can't deal with anyone else asking me about it 

I hope when I'm having a bad spell I can vent my frustration here without it affecting & upsetting my 2 little girls  :'(

[NCU]

Hi Mosschops, I completely agree that this site is an amazing place, it makes you feel less alone and can put things into perspective. I'm a 31 yr old mum, unlike you though I'm missing the supportive husband! I've had a really rubbish time with my p which only cropped up in july last year but is now clearing thanks to cyclosporin. I'm just looking into dietry changes that could effect it, think I've abused my body for too many years!!!
Hope you find all the info you're looking for on here.  

[NCU]

Ah, I so know how you feel, would be great to not care what other people think wouldn't it but if I think I look hideous then how anyone else could see anything different I'm not sure. It really is the worst thing, drags you right down but hopefully it will clear for you and you'll feel better about yourself again, I'm starting to now. At one point my son wouldn't come near me because of how I looked, people would stare and ask about my hands as they were so bad but hard to cover. One day my mum had a paper cut and sat and moaned to me about how sore it was for ages! Couldn't help but find it amusing since I couldn't walk at the time my p was so bad and I was shedding everywhere and generally looked like hell and stank of different creams. I think if I hadn't laughed I may well have cried! Which in fairness I have done on occasion.
But onwards and upwards for us, it's going to get better and when we have beautiful skin we will be grateful for it unlike others that take it for granted! Count down to summer now, I'm determined to be able to wear what I want! 
XXX

[Joan J]

I totally understand - I had P since I was 7 - I am 51 now - I posted once that I would never wear short sleeves etc - and some people were affronted - some are happy to show their skin , but I am not - it is ugly and I would not want it on sight.  That is the good thing about PHO - we all think and deal with it in different ways - but we all care about each other and respect each others views and ways of dealing with it.

The fact that your hubby has suffered a serious illness probably makes you feel a bit guilty about moaning about your skin - but you are a woman and all women want to be gorgeous - so yes it is a big deal - you will find things in common with people on here , things you thought only you have experienced or felt like.
Enjoy the forum and the company
Joan

[mosschops]

Just been put on MTX & it is certainly helping skin & PA but I as hoping it would continue getting better until it actually disappeared. After reading lots of different things on here I'm not sure it actually will disappear but I want (need) to get to apoint where I'm happier with myself cos my girls are very aware of how I feel & how I now look.

Bless them, they keep telling me I'm 'a beautiful mummy' even when I have that much Sebco in my hair, red patches all over my face & flaky skin on my body that I'd give the star from a horror movie a run for their money for the starring role!   

Bless them...they mean it when they say it, although when I'm dressed & have carefully applied make up to hide the redness they tell me I'm extra beautiful. Sometimes for a little while I actually feel it too. Would love to get back to not hiding...

[Wrdaws]

Welcome to you hope you've found this forum as helpful as I have and good luck to you as well

[TJB]

Hi mosschops, welcome to the family!
You will get loads of support and understanding here.
Tracey