Out with the New and in with the Old... BYE BYE PORIASIS

[RTFTAT]

hey hows it going....

Well this will be a first for me on this, I am 34years of age and I have been going through years of treatment. I am on metotrixate but its gotten to the point where I feel the side affects and long term affects are not worth it.  
 
I've had psoriasis for almost 20years   , i have never shared this with anyone, my family just found out 5years ago, my friends still have no clue, therefore they call me the ice queen, because I've been single for so long, turning guys down when they ask me out to lunch or dinner. I tell them I'm not interested, I'm too busy, I'm married to my job... but now that I'm getting older my friends fell my excuses are getting ridiculous, and I agree with them (if only they knew  :'( )....

I've been looking at other alternatives, natural remedies and psoriasis clinics, I have an appointment this Saturday with a clinic, its a bit pricey, just under or over, borderline $500  but I was guaranteed this will be the first and last time I spend any money on this illness  

 I've been told that, I'm looking at a recovery period of 2months   .  It sounds too good to be true I know (my condition is critical),  I have tried everything, from lighting treatment to steroid an tablets, all three of them in one go the medication has been government funded which is cheap, but if I had to compare almost 20years of affordable medz that not been affective to 2months of a one off payment that is natural, I'll take the chance  

I'll keep you all informed with how things go and if i can rid myself from being dependant on this drug.. wish me luck....  

WATCH THIS SPACE

MMMWAH!!  

[catfan]

Hi RTFTAT,

There are certainly many people here, most of us in fact, that know how you feel.  It is a very difficult thing to talk to someone about, even your closest friends, and/or family.  I think we feel like we don't want their image of us to be affected in any way, even though good friends and family would be extremely understanding in most cases.  Like me, you sound like you are able to mostly 'cover it up', and therefore not have to explain it to everyone, as unfortunately most people have no idea of what p even is, and they are never afraid to ask.  And for that reason, spare a thought for the many people who have extensive coverage, and are asked those questions, and given those looks every day.  I really admire those who don't let the p interfere with their every day lives, as we know how hard it is to just not worry about it, or to accept it. As far as dating, or being intimate, I understand that these times can be extremely embarassing and frustrating.  But just remember that anyone who does not understand, or doesn't want to be with you, just because of p, is not worth having as a friend.
I really hope this new treatment you are going to try works wonders for you.  However, I think we all know that anyone guaranteeing that a treatment will work, or that you will be clear in 2 months, is quite ridiculous. No single treatment works for everyone, and that is a fact.
If you are seeing a dermatologist, is there any reason why you could not try a biologic, like enbrel or stelara.  These both have fairly good strike rates, and enbrel has given me about 90% clearance.
Also, have you tried barneys formula (vitamin d and ibuprofen thread)?  This has given many people, including myself, some relief.  Changing diet and eliminating certain foods has also helped many.  While some of these may or may not work for you, they are well worth trying, and personally I would want to have some sort of idea what the treatment was all about, before parting with $500.  We have all spent thousands on treatments that simply don't work.
Anyway, let us know how you go, and what the treatment is all about if you decide to give it a go.
Good luck.

[RTFTAT]

Thanks for your response..

and yes I have tried all of that and although it controls it, it is only for short while before it comes back again and then spreads. I have always been able to cover my skin even through the hottest summers, i would wear a long sleeve tops, pants, hat with my hair and fringe down to cover my eyebrows, forehead, ears and neck, the hat covers my head and secures my fringe down, my psoriasis is 85-90% of my body, excluding, hands, only on my nail beds and nails but that is covered with nail polish,my cheeks, chin and nose are clear, but my head, forehead, eyebrows, the sides of my nose the inside and outside of my ears the back of my ears and neck are noticeable, so my hair stays down at all times. When I'm asked I say its allergies from food or the soap I used.
 
I've had this most of my life, therefore I know its not other people I'm worried about, its just my pattern that I've adapted to "NOT TELLING" I'm 34 now and still not telling, coming on here is my first step.

I have been advised by doctors an family to slow down, or cut down work, projects, conferences and other commitments but I refuse to do so because of this illness. It pushes me to extreme levels of wanting to succeed in other areas, (areas that I can control) this has been my life for most of my life, busy yet affective, sufficient yet isolated... but no one has ever felt sorry for me because of what I cant do or what I look like underneath all of this clothing. but I feel, if this treatment doesn't work then it is high time, I took a break, opened up let my nearest and dearest friends and extended family in. [/color]

Every treatment offered to me has affected my bowel motion, my kidney and  liver function, hair loss, my immune system, given me ulcers, put me on the operating table, lifted me up and broken me down, now after numerous years of silence and being dependant on chemicals, I've turned to natural approach of healing, maybe I should change my quote an not say bye bye psoriasis but I should be saying goodbye to the affects of psoriasis, because I know without the strong drugs, all of these affects will be gone.    

Bare in mind every treatment after treatment after treatment, given to me I was told I would see and feel the affects straight away, or in a few weeks with a run down on how it would work. Not once did I think that was ridiculous. I am being as optimistic as I can be, and not to worry I did the research before making the appointment. I do thank you for your comment thou and I'm glad you have found something that works for you, altough it didn't work for me I'm glad it served its purpose with many other people.

hopefully what I go through may do the same for others? well never know till we try 

[babyblue]

Hi RTFTAT

I, like catfan, am intrigued and wonder what this 'miracle' treatment is.  You obviously have exhausted many avenues to provide relief and like many of us, are sick of unpleasant or downright harmful side effects of conventional meds.

As catfan remarks, many of us have similar experiences.  I, last year, spent every day with ten post-grad students and not one of them even suspected I had P.  The fact that I had uvb just before taking up that challenge helped, but as it returned (and thankfully never appeared on my face or hands) I, like you could hide it. 

Of course we all wish you luck with this new regime although I would advise a note of caution along the same lines as catfan; anything that promises clearance within two months is too good to be true, particularly as you have had this condition for such a long period of time.  I have tried every lotion and potion by alternative practicioners, herbalists, chinese med practicioners, skin therapists, etc all to no avail. 

I'll certainly watch this space for your regular updates.  You are like so many of us with P., the 'ice maiden' remark has a certain resonance;  I liken myself to  Garbo, 'I want to be alone' .... wonder if she had P as well !!


Wishing you every success on new treatment babes - keep us posted, plz

Hugs
BB

[Lazza]

RTFTAT, I am with the others.  Although I certainly wish you the best with any treatment option you choose, I would be very skeptical of any treatment option that makes bold promises and charges you $500.  But if you feel comfortable with going this route, great.  I really hope it works for you.  ...if it doesn't, then give diet a try once more.  Strict dieting with some supplementation has been very effective for many.  It is a lifetime commitment; you cannot just diet for several weeks, experience some clearance, and then get off the diet.  Nope.  Psoriasis is a condition that will always comeback unless you regularly treat it.  This is true of drug treatments, this is also true of dietary treatments.  At least dietary treatments are cheap and healthy.

Alas, no one treatment works for everyone.  Just don't let this condition defeat you.  Keeping a positive outlook is very important.


_Lazza

[RTFTAT]

Thanks heaps Catfan, BB and Lazar

your feedback has been awesome, I understand where your all coming from and I really do appreciate it, just the fact of knowing that there is so much support out there from people who are genuinely compassionate because they've experienced it is huge.

and your right Lazar this treatment does require a diet,(that is also something I've tried before) but this one also includes natural tablets and natural creams from Clinical Biochemist's and Skin Practitioner's specializing in the treatment of Psoriasis and other skin conditions, tackling not only the symptoms but the foundation that triggers it off, if that is the case it should be safe for me to overdose on these natural meds?? hahaha wouldn't go that far, or would I?? lol 

that's why its so costly, not government funded, they would rather fund the chemically enhanced drugs rather than those that are naturally harmless yet affective. I've over looked there recovery stories, some took 2 to 6months others 8months to a year no return, in this case I AM GIVING MYSELF THE MINIMUM OF 2MONTHS LOL Its hard for me to explain, its a feeling based on previous success stories that they have had, I can relate to what stage is right up there in my alley haahaha as I said, its just me trying to be as Optimistic as I can be, I'm not looking at the longest recovery time I'm looking at the closes  but that's just me being me

I'll keep you informed on the rest.

xox 

[stewart_h]

hya, please provide the details of the treatment and the web address. Some of us may know it as people have tried many things on here.

[nesta]

HI

Good luck with the treatment. Re. the dating- get out there!!!!! You stilldo not have to tell any of them but I highly reccomend you out on some dates. Take the first step, you can always bag them off after that if you still do not feel comfortable. At least you are giving yourself a chance to meet 'that special someone' and some one to meet the very special you. I still remember the frst time I told my husband about my condition. We had had a few dates when I finally told him, he was totally cool with it, and I then found out about his insecurities which I am cool with too!!

Just go and have some fn and give yourself a chance to meet someone wonderful

xx

[Breenger]

can you post some pics on the progress of this treatment on your skin.
maybe some pics on a weekly basis so we can see the results.

[MarieK]

Goodluck RTFTAT - i am 33 and have had P for about 16 years - only on Fumaderm since last year and so far so good -  I am quiet lucky as the side affects have not been that bad for me.  I have paid money for things plenty of times in the past some of which worked and some did not. I do find it hard to talk about my P to people but I do talk about it more with my friends because your friends are your friends because they like you and want to help you out when you need it. I have found it easier as times gone on to talk to my friends from time to time about P. Keep us posted on how your new treatment is goin - fingers crossed.