New to the forum - can anyone offer some advice for my P

[Mickey29]

Hi Everyone

This is the first time I've posted anything on here but felt the need to ask for help after a recent flare up.

I'm 29 years old and have had P for roughly 10 years and as most of you will know, it has tended to come and go during that time.

In October 2008 I had a course of light treatment that lasted 10 weeks. It completely cleared my P up and I thought (or should I say hoped) I was rid of it for good.

However, within the last couple of months it has made an unwelcomed appearance in all the usual places, mainly on my lower legs, arms, elbows and scalp. I can normally control the scales/flakes with Dovobet Ointment but I have concerns about its regular use as it thins the skin. Also, it has now reached the point where my patches of skin are just red. It doesn't appear to be getting any better from here.

Does anybody have any advice for controlling/reducing the redness of my patches. I would ideally like to reduce my usage of Dovobet so any advice would be greatly received.

Wouldn't you just know it...a flare up as we move into spring/summer

Thanks

Michael

[jotee]

Hi Michael,

Welcome to the forum! 

It is such a horrible feeling when the P starts creeping back after a time of clearance. Have you thought about having a few sunbed sessions at all? This could really help you while waiting for summer. The winter is just no good for us, and if you've responded well in the past to light, it might not be a bad thing to try..

Otherwise, could you give another steriod cream a go? For me personally, diprosalic works much better than dovobet (it does also thin the skin too but it might be worth trying something different).

I hope you manage to get it under control.

Jotee x

[Icklestar]

Hiya Michael,

You say you last had UVB in 2008? You could always go and ask to be referred for another course. I have one roughly every 13-14 months. There is only so much UVB you can have over a certain amount of time but there is no harm in asking. There are lots of new topical treatments also, that don't contain steroids. Ask your GP/Derm about whats new, and be careful about suddenly stopping using Dovobet as this can cause a flare. It needs to be gradual or replaced with something else. There is Dovonex which doesnt contain the steriod, betnovate. Hope you get it sorted soon

[Mickey29]

Thanks guys

I would love another course of UVB but it requires me to go 3 times a week for 10 - 12 weeks

With my current job it is really difficult to get the time out to do it. The hospital is a bit of a journey away and takes about 2.5 hours out of my day.

I'll speak to my doctor about other creams and see how I get on!

Michael

[261257]

Hi Michael,

I agree with the others, try and get some sun, even if it's the sunbed a couple of times a week. WORD OF WARNING - Wean yourself of Dovobet. Try using it less and less but don't just stop or you could get a major flare-up. Try replacing it with maybe Dovonex and a much less stronger steroid (ask your GP).

Good luck

Gal

[nickystaylor]

Hi I am new too & after suffering for 6 years on and off have recently had another flare up which is really starting to get me down. It's not as bad this time round as the firts time I had a bad case but it's bad enough!! I was thinking of trying a sun deb - would this work? Also someone told me I should try acupuncture - has anyone tried this?!

[Mickey29]

Hi Nicky

I tried acupuncture about 4 years ago and it didn't do anything for me. I spent a lot of money on roughly 12 sessions and I didn't see any improvement. However I have heard that it works for some people but I'd be sure you've tried everything else first as it is very expensive.

Michael

[nickystaylor]

Thanks Michael.

I know acupuncture can be expensive so I wanted to see if anyone else had got results this way before forking out all that money for it so it's good to hear your experience.

I currently use a scalp solution for my scalp psoriasis & then a lot of moisturiser and dovabet for the rest of my body but it's just not doing anything!! The mosituriser stops it been as itchy & dry which I am thankful for but it's not doing much else.

I am willing to try just about anything!! I have read becoming vegetarian works - has this worked for anyone else?!

[Icklestar]

Nicky,

a lot of people that first have Psoriasis find UVB really successful. Ask your GP to refer you to a derm and enquire about this.

[Cawtey]

I agree with asking to get your GP to refe you to the dermatologist.  They are the experts after all.

I was in the sam eposition as you with regards to UVB.  It was difficult to commit to 3 sessions a week as my job required me to travel.  Although the plus side was that I usually ended up in the Middle East where sun was aplenty!

Hang in there.  Spring is nearly here and Summer is just aroud the corner