18 year old with guttate psoriasis - WHY DO I LET IT CONTROL MY LIFE?

[Noelo5]

When i got the UVB treatment it cleared my skin completely, ya wouldn't even taught i had p. At the time i taught it was a miracle. I was clear for around a year cause i got the treatment in the winter and when the summer came i went out in shorts and t shirt, and also went swimming in the beach, the salt water is great for the skin. when the winter came the p came back, so went back to the hospital for more treatment. Just remember to keep putting the moisture on at lest 2 times a day, cause its important.

let me know how ya get on?

all the best.

Noel
 

[Mii]

Thanks Noel.  So you are saying that the guttate P cannot be cured.  I heard from my doctor that this type of P is self-limiting.  Wonder it is a life long battle...

Mii

[hayliex]

hi ruby,

 i think u are very brave and reading what u have wrote u remind me alot of me at your age. ive sufferd since i was 11. so i know how hard it was being a teenager with this. i hated the fact all my friends could wear what they wanted and i couldnt. sweating through the summer covering yourself up is horrible.

it got me down alot and i went off the rails abit, my friends and family were brilliant and very understaning as my mum suffers herself but no no extreme only a bit on her elbow and knee.

it seemed so unfair that i had to suffer so bad, but i learned to cope and not be ashamed i kept on at my doctor for diff treatments now ive found the perfect 1 for me.

i have a child and a boyfriend who is great about it, boyfriends in the past were ok, at first i was to ashamed to tell them and used to hide it till they asked, but when u meet someone who likes u for who u are they will accept anything if they dont they are not worth it.

ive had loads of treatments over 12 years if you would like to know what ive used ask me just ask then maybe u could ask ur doctor to try them out xxxx

[Mii]

Hi Hayliex,

May I know which treatment you've found perfect for you?  Or could you give us some advice on those treatments you've tried?  Thanks a lot!

Mii

[Scruff]

Hi Ruby and welcome along to the forum. When you first get p, it can take a very long time to get your head around it. I can't remember not having p, but it doesn't mean that I don't have those moments when I ask, "Why me?". Accepting p is a big step. I know it can sound flippant, but accepting it is such a huge battle. Once you have, you can move on and learn what you can and can't do. I try not to let having p stop me from doing what ever I want, I just know I need to take extra care. Sun block in the summer, moisturiser all year round, learning to cope with stress and minimise flares. It's hard, it takes time, but you'll feel better for it in the long run.

Scruff

[thibeaus]

I'm new to this, basically just decided to find somewhere online that i could share my feelings about psoriasis because i've been feeling so down about it recently, it's constantly on my mind and im fed up of it controlling my life and my emotions. I wish i was a strong enough person to just be able to say fu*k it, i dont care what people think and be able to accept my skin how it is but i just cant... i hate it so much, it feels so unfair that i have to live with it forever. (im sorry if this sounds stupid and shallow and whatever, im not really looking for any replies i just need to get all of this of my chest because i cant talk to anyone about it, im too embarrased, none of my family understand how horrible it is to live with psoriasis, and i dont want to tell any of my mates because i can barely look at my skin let alone let other people look at it)

anyway, i just want to be able to act like an 18 year old and do the things my mates get to do, its horrible in the summer, constantly thinking up excuses why im not going swimming, and always having to cover up. I've got guttate psoriasis, which is like teardrops (ironic) scattered over my body rather than one area. I have it on my legs, my arms, my stomach, my back and its slowly progressing onto my chest and im pretty sure i felt one appearing on my face, oh and my scalp.

im not really sure what the point of this post is, i dunno, i guess i just want to hear from other people with it, because atm i feel so ugly and its really effecting my life, ive had a really short temper for the past couple of years since i was first diagnosed with it and have gotten quite depressed, my mum encouaraged me to go to counselling and my counsillor made me realise what it is thats been making me so angry: its the psoriasis. i feel so bitter that my life is controlled by this horrible condition, and then i am angry at myself for being so superficial because i feel like i should just get over it and accept my body how it is. i am sure that ina  few years, when ive matured a bit more and come to terms with it that i will learn to live with it, but right now it's so hard as an 18year old, when all my friends and everyone around me is perfect looking and i just feel so horrible all the time. it's also harder right now because teenagers are judgemental and a lot less understanding than mature adults who aren't so shallow.

dunno, i guess i want to no what are reactions you've had from people when telling them about your psoriasis? and if you had it when you were a teenager did it stop you from having relationships with people? how did boyfriends/girlfriends react? etc

sorry about how long this is !

Hey Ruby

I've had p since i was 14 (i'm 23 now), and know how you feel hun.

You ask about how to cope when it comes to relationships, i tried hiding it for a long time and then realised turf it if they don't like me for me then i don't want any more to do with them. I met my now fiance just over 4 yrs ago (and at the time i was at my worst skinwise - it really couldn't all be hidden) but i'm still with him, he did't respond negatively he didn't really say much to be honest, he just accepted that it is the way i am.

I'm really new to PHO to but even within these couple of weeks i have found that it is much easier to talk with those who understand what thoughts go through our heads, like everyone else has said you made the first difficult step and that was opening up about your feelings., your very brave in doing this

all the best

thib xx

[flecksable_flyer]

I didn't get P until I was in my 30's, but I have had knee trouble since I was 12 and spent most of high school on and off crutches. I'm definitely not what you would call pretty, and on top of that my brother, who was in a grade ahead of me, was "socially unacceptable". Smart as a whip, but no tact, social graces or manners whatsoever. Add to that the fact that I moved a LOT (I graduated from my 21st school), life in high school for me was the pits, and I couldn't wait to get out. Fortunately I met my best friend in Kindergarten and we are still friends today; closer than sisters.

Coping mechanisms I have found that help are:

1) If you have a talent or interest, no matter how small, go for it. For me, it started with reading, went on to needlework, and dog training, and then on to training horses. You never know where your life may lead. Its something that no one can take from you.

2) People who make fun of you have low self-esteem and do it to make themselves feel better. That's why they travel in packs. You rarely see just one bully unless he's 7 feet tall, weighs 350 pounds and is a body builder.

3) Learn to accept yourself for who you are no matter what. Even though I'm no raving beauty, I think I managed to snag an extremely handsome man! I've never worn make-up, dyed my hair, and only shave my legs if I absolutely have to. My ex married me because I am an interesting person. He didn't divorce me because of my P (actually, I divorced him), and we were happily married for over 20 years. Looks aren't everything. I've seen a lot of beautiful women who open their mouth and ruin a package.

4) Try volunteering. I loved volunteering. Helping others (human or animal) makes you feel better about yourself.

5) If you're truly depressed, you might try seeing a counselor. They can help you with your feelings and give you other coping skills. Finding a youth group (founding one would be even better!), or if you're lucky enough, getting to one of the Flake Breaks would do you wonders! Nobody would care what you looked like and you could all do this face to face and talk about treatments and tips that would make your life easier.

Oh! And Welcome to PHO!

Sabra & Surrido

[babyblue]

I didn't get P until I was in my 30's, but I have had knee trouble since I was 12 and spent most of high school on and off crutches. I'm definitely not what you would call pretty, and on top of that my brother, who was in a grade ahead of me, was "socially unacceptable". Smart as a whip, but no tact, social graces or manners whatsoever. Add to that the fact that I moved a LOT (I graduated from my 21st school), life in high school for me was the pits, and I couldn't wait to get out. Fortunately I met my best friend in Kindergarten and we are still friends today; closer than sisters.

Coping mechanisms I have found that help are:

1) If you have a talent or interest, no matter how small, go for it. For me, it started with reading, went on to needlework, and dog training, and then on to training horses. You never know where your life may lead. Its something that no one can take from you.

2) People who make fun of you have low self-esteem and do it to make themselves feel better. That's why they travel in packs. You rarely see just one bully unless he's 7 feet tall, weighs 350 pounds and is a body builder.

3) Learn to accept yourself for who you are no matter what. Even though I'm no raving beauty, I think I managed to snag an extremely handsome man! I've never worn make-up, dyed my hair, and only shave my legs if I absolutely have to. My ex married me because I am an interesting person. He didn't divorce me because of my P (actually, I divorced him), and we were happily married for over 20 years. Looks aren't everything. I've seen a lot of beautiful women who open their mouth and ruin a package.

4) Try volunteering. I loved volunteering. Helping others (human or animal) makes you feel better about yourself.

5) If you're truly depressed, you might try seeing a counselor. They can help you with your feelings and give you other coping skills. Finding a youth group (founding one would be even better!), or if you're lucky enough, getting to one of the Flake Breaks would do you wonders! Nobody would care what you looked like and you could all do this face to face and talk about treatments and tips that would make your life easier.

Oh! And Welcome to PHO!

Sabra & Surrido

This wins Post of the Month in my book, Sabra & Surrido, it's incredibly well written, uplifting, engaging, empathic, and it really paints a picture of your life as a teenager, not a 'woe is me' one but rather achieving and reaching your full potential, despite the odds stacked against you.  You've definitely got the gift of creative writing and should in your spare time, get your head down.  I'll be your proof reader and Public Relations Manager ... will even get you on Oprah, Dr. Phil and Montel's show !!!    .

On a serious note, Thank You for this.  It reminds me of the reason we are here; to support and offer advice which you do wonderfully well. 
 
Hugs,
BB

[flecksable_flyer]

This wins Post of the Month in my book, Sabra & Surrido, it's incredibly well written, uplifting, engaging, empathic, and it really paints a picture of your life as a teenager, not a 'woe is me' one but rather achieving and reaching your full potential, despite the odds stacked against you.  You've definitely got the gift of creative writing and should in your spare time, get your head down.  I'll be your proof reader and Public Relations Manager ... will even get you on Oprah, Dr. Phil and Montel's show !!!   .

On a serious note, Thank You for this.  It reminds me of the reason we are here; to support and offer advice which you do wonderfully well.  
 
Hugs,
BB

You get me on a talk show in the UK and I'd be happier. I've never been there, but I've been all over the USA. Let's talk  

Seriously Noel, feel free to message me and we'll set up a time to talk. I'm 5 hours behind you, but we'll work something out.

Sabra & Surrido

[michael p]

Hi, Ruby and welcome.
u r not alone!
i'm here with you in China.