My history, Michelle

[Michelle_H]

Hi Guys,

I've only been a member for a few hours and I already feel better about myself.  I've read some of the histories of members and it makes me think realise that there are so many more people with p and I can't feel sorry for myself.

I have had p since I was 12 but it didn't flare up until I went to university when I was 18.  Since then I have had guttate p all over my body.  I have tried betnovate, UVB and many alternative medicines but nothing seemed to work.

I worked in a restaurant part time when I was in college and people started asking my manager to send down another waitress as they thought I had a contagious disease.  With comments like that, I just got worse and became so paranoid that I wouldn't leave the house.  My mother (who blames herself for giving it to me) brought me to my local GP who knew nothing about p.  He gave me a steroid injection, Kenalog, which worked wonders.  It only stayed away for 6 months and each time I received the injection, the remission got lesser.  I just couldn't handle it coming back so I continued to take it even though I noticed my skin was getting slightly transparent and I began to bruise at the slightest touch.  The side effects began to become a problem as well, so I have decided to stop taking it.  

I'm not sure what else to do since I have tried the creams and tar and UVB and although they help a bit, never seem to relieve it that much.

Any ideas?

[Dani]

Hello Michelle,

HUGE welcome to the forum and big congrats on being our 1000th member

[SAUCY]

hi michelle
welcome 2 the mad house  
i have not heard of the"kenalog"glad it brought u some relief, but like all p treatments they soon lose there effectiveness

keep readin the boards theres tips and advice all over them, hopefully u find something 2 help

[Koala]

Hello Michelle, a big welcome to you. Sorry I'm afraid I can't offer any advice about treating guttate p as I use betnovate (when I can find the time to do it all properly ) which doesn't really work for me either! Have you tried Dovonex? It works quite well for some I hear. Do keep trying anything you can get your mits on as different people have success with different treatments.

Interesting about that injection, I might ask about trying that as I haven't heard of it before. Thanks for sharing

Best Wishes

Carla  

[Guy]

Hi Michelle

I have used a lot of steroid stuff in the past and made the decision to cut all steriod use now.  
Steroids can help I think but they can really damage and weaken the skin - as you've experienced.  I also think that the skin can recover to a great extent it just takes time though.
I use Dovonex and although it takes quite a time to work it does eventually.  Other than that I use Exorex coal tar lotion and at the moment I'm having a course of UVB.

One thing for sure is that people here have discovered that its a good idea to keep changing the treatment toi avoid the skin getting accustomed to it and not working anymore.

Guy  ((:y

[jackgray]

Hi and welcome Michelle

I have also tried a lot of treatments and have to say I am with Guy on

I have used a lot of steroid stuff in the past and made the decision to cut all steriod use now.  

I have used steriod creams the most on my knees and elbows and have recently found that even resting my elbows on a desk can be agony as my skin is so thin.

There are a lot of treatments out there and one thing might work great for someone but not for someone else - it is a bit of trial and error - but keep trying you will find something that suits you.

Jackie  [smiley=later.gif]

[Scruff]

I've recently started having problems with my knees & elbows getting a bit delicate  
I usually alternate my Dovonex with a tar based cream to give the skin time to recover.
Scruff

[mellifera]

Dovonex,  coal tar baths and UVB  nearly cleared my guttate psoriasis in 9 weeks.  Now I only have it on my scalp and elbows, with occasional 5p size spots now and again. (usually when stressed)  Welcome to the board Michelle.