psoriasis?

I think doctors should be jailed for prescribing this!! 🤐

What the fuck?

I wish people wouldnt push their snack oil cures on here though. It can make people feel as though psoriasis is their fault for not trying the umpteen different diet and miracle cream suggestions. I know they are only trying to help, but most of us have tried all that and it gets insulting.

This in spades.

I've had psoriasis for over 60yrs. There is nothing I haven't tried, even the most outlandish of "cures". I've been a Guinea pig for new treatments and Dr training for many years. Nothing worked.

I'm on methotrexate now for RA, AS, PSA and the added benefit is that it clears my skin. I've just started Humira alongside the MTX and it will also help to keep my skin clear 🤞 Keep going to your dermatologist until you find a combination of things that work for you.

My husband suffers with psoriasis and we noticed it gets worse when he's ill and takes medication like paracetamol. Generally speaking, he should lead the lifestyle that boosts his immunity which means diet, exercise etc. Easier said than done, I know! Do you get big patches or rather spots? My husband's is "spotty" one, the worst on his arms. Also, it gets worse when he puts on weight. He likes using Tropic body pebbles, as he said it's the only thing that doesn't dry his skin under shower.

He was on steroids at some point as you were- it's very confusing to know what direction to follow when you're diagnosed, so they're good solution before you find out what works for you. Big hugs to you, psoriasis sucks. He was one of 5 siblings to get it from his mother.

Our friend also has psoriasis and he tried so many awful treatments, like tablets that lower your immune system (people get them before organ transplant), so his body won't react too much and there will be less inflammation causing psoriasis- I think doctors should be jailed for prescribing this!! 🤐

If you see a dermatologist, ask about a steroid injection. They last longer and there isn't the same risk in discontinuation. It might also be time to consider dmards or other medications/treatments that aren't available through the GP - so do ask for a derm referral if you aren't already seeing them.

What you can do is take advantage of this period to use topical treatments to heal the skin as much as possible - emollient ointment every day, for example. Also be careful not to scratch, wear rough edged clothing or damage the skin in other ways. Keeping clean and moisturised is so important.

Ignore the magic exclusion diets and other nonsense - you are quite right that it's your immune system being a git. Eat healthily but normally and bear in mind that weight gain is common on oral steroids.

Flares are bloody crap, aren't they?

I couldn't agree more. Every thread ends up the same. We've all been there and done that and for the vast vast majority of people, nothing other than medication will fix their overactive immune system.

I wish people wouldnt push their snack oil cures on here though. It can make people feel as though psoriasis is their fault for not trying the umpteen different diet and miracle cream suggestions. I know they are only trying to help, but most of us have tried all that and it gets insulting.

Steroid tablets I think are ok as a stepping stone to tide over until you start better treatment, but my dermatologist always winces when my rheumatologist prescribes them because of the risk of a psoriasis rebound when I wean off them.
I do love them though.

I'm on a low dose of steroids (5mg of pred) at the moment for psoriasis and arthritis. I will probably be on them 3-6 months while so wait for funding for a new biologic to come through. I don't think it's unheard of to stay on them longish term but I think most doctors are very reluctant because of the risks. I only got this course of steroids because I happened to be seeing my consultant on a particularly bad day and I couldn't actually walk up the stairs to his office. Has your doctor discussed any other treatments? While steroids may manage the side effects, I don't think there as good as other things at managing the immune response. My current dose of pred stops be getting worse and stops some of the associated fatigue/brain fog but it's definitely not stopping the inflammation, just masking the impact.

I believe it’s your immune system pushing what it thinks are bad things out of your body (this can be certain proteins, antibiotics, etc.) via the organ of skin.

I know you said you tried diet changes - did you cut out “nightshades”? (Tomatoes, peppers, spices, aubergines) This was the big change for me. I now wear summer clothes in public! Tomatoes and spicy foods are a massive trigger for me. Also pork and dairy.

No advice on steroids, I'm sorry. I used to suffer with psoriasis from head to toe, the only thing that would get rid of it was daily light therapy at the hospital but it always came back.

I was diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption around 4 years ago and since I've been taking medication for this and adjusted my diet to very low fat the Psoriasis has not returned.

Just wanted to let you know about this in case it helps. I was misdiagnosed with IBS for 20 years and had to really fight for a diagnosis. It seems the psoriasis was flared by the bile damaging the lining of my large bowel.

So great to hear your skin is feeling better OP, I hope this is a long term solution for you x

Steroids are often prescribed when the body has got so over-stressed it's run out it's own natural supply. The best way back from this is natural balance. Have a look at your life and see what changes can be made so your body stops depleting itself.