and thought I'd share my story.
I'm 21 now, and my psoriases started when I was 14. It was probably stress triggered, and it started on my scalp as a couple of itchy spots that slowly spread across my scalp right after I found out my family was moving country.
It took me a couple of years to go to the doctor, because I just assumed I had dandruff. When I finally went to a dermatologist, he told me that it was untreatable, gave me a life time supply of coaltar and said that because it was on my scalp, I would probably never get it elsewhere.
Over the years it's grown, I have it on my knees, elbows and forearms, and a patch on my back. They are all plaque psoriasis except for a patch of guttate on the side of my calf. I used to have it across my forehead but - touch wood! - a stint on methotrexate cleared that up and it's been gone for over 6 months, which I'm thrilled about.
I ended up ditching my old, unhelpful dermatologist who seemed to think that I just had to deal with it. I've been on methotrexate for about 5 months, but came off as I was travelling for 6 months last year. It seemed to be working up until I came off it, and now I'm home I'm considering going on it again, but I wasn't a fan of the nausea and mouth ulcers I was getting. But it is a small price to pay for a potentially psoriasis free life!
I'm trying to go on a health kick first - loose some weight, eat healthy etc etc. My dermatologist is great, but she has told me that it probably won't help. I just want to give it a shot before I put heavy duty medicines into me again. Has this worked for anyone? But once I've tried being healthier for a while, if it fails I'll probably give the methotrexate another whirl, because it worked wonders on my face and knees. My elbow plaques are the worst, so they'll need some time before they budge. How has methotrexate worked for you guys?
At the moment I'm just doing the whole on/off thing with steroid cream and moisturising a LOT to keep it at bay
I'm so glad I found this forum, and I look forward to talking with you all
Erica
