Hi
Y'know, I'd almost forgotten about the board until I had the reminder through about the big day on 29 October.
I've had psoriasis since I was about 9 or 10, although not diagnosed until I was 11 or 12 - it was thought I had a bad case of dandruff .....
I'm now 46, done a fair chunk of the usual, betnovate, dermovate, dithranol, coal tar, Puva etc, including a two week hospital stay when I was about 17. Puva worked a treat when I was about 35 - two or three visits to the hospital for about eight weeks (thank goodness I could get there early and into work a teeny bit late) - but, man, did I look good that summer! Lasted to about Christmas, when the little red spots started drifting back ..... Dead Sea Salts helped in containing it, but nothing cleared it. I've been diagnosed with both guttate and plaque psoriasis, on torso, scalp, legs and arms (um, what does that leave)?
Dovabet was tried for a while but did nothing. So my GP (who is an angel) sent me off to St Mary's Paddington (London) again - this would be about March 2003 - and I was prescribed (and I'm looking at the tub now) Coal Tar Solution BP 10% w/w in 1/4 strength Betnovate Ointment. Cleared every spot and flake on me within four weeks. Fabulous!! I'm fully aware of the dangers of Betnovate - use once a day and apply thinly.
Anyway, it worked for me. Psoriasis is now creeping back, after a good 18 months free. I've had this long enough to know that some things work for a bit, then stop, so this might be the end of my "P Holiday". Shame. It was luvverly!
My son (16) has been diagnosed with Psoriasis on his hands - gets pus filled lumps come up (hasn't happened for about a year, thankfully).
Anyhow - sorry if this rambled, or sounded as if I were gloating at any point. I've really enjoyed wearing black and sleeveless tops, but it's more than a fashion thing. I've watched home videos of myself, scratching at my elbows or my back - daft, innit - the things you don't miss!
So - anyone got one of them blue and orange ribbons that I can wear?
Ta for letting me offload.
AnnT
