New to PC, suffering and unable to see a doctor

[araorun]

yes, my legs are definitely red and hot--another reason I think i should go to the ER tomorrow when my son is at his dad's.  Hopefully, esp with my type 1 diabetes, they would help fast track me to a dermatologist. it's spread during this week, even. I was hanging up clothes as I unpacked yesterday and a shirt I wore just a few weeks ago when I went to view a house, i can't wear that shirt now. the psoriasis has spread that quickly. it's so odd that i had it in these isolated spots for years (all over my calves, but otherwise in isolated spots) and now it's just all over. incredibly painful. besides stress... any reason for this anyone knows of? 

a minor med visit i made last summer, the doctor had a great suggestion for the psoriasis i was getting under my breasts that was breaking open and hurt to bend over: he suggested folding nonstick bandages into my bra to dry it up. it was a miracle suggestion. it did clear it up and only recently has it come back. it's hard to tell why in some places it seems like it needs to be dried out and in some places it seems like it needs to be moisturized. to that point: i've tried wrapping nonstick bandages around my elbows and forearms and it just made it drier & more painful. not the answer this time, clearly. 

 i've read if you experience rapid spreading of the psoriasis, you should go to the ER... and yes, i know it's taking a chance, but maybe they could at least start me on something that will actually help. i am miserable constantly because of it; before, it was bad, but not a constant awful painful hideous problem! it's not going to be difficult to show the emotion of how much it's bothering me, or the emotion of how much it bothers me that i cannot get my job to understand i need to see someone. at the VERY least, with a note from the hospital referring me to dermatology, they cannot argue with that especially if i show them my arms... 

i did get coconut oil at Walgreens last night... didn't seem to do too much, but then again i only started using it last night.  does anyone know if the coconut oil supplements/vitamins help, or just the topical oil to moisturize?

[Fred]

besides stress... any reason for this anyone knows of? 

Unfortunately no one really knows, if we did we would know exactly how to stop it. I have found stress to be the biggest trigger, but also have had flare ups with hot and cold weather. Some say foods can effect it, but I'm not convinced and in my case I like my food to much to try.

 i've read if you experience rapid spreading of the psoriasis, you should go to the ER... and yes, i know it's taking a chance, but maybe they could at least start me on something that will actually help. i am miserable constantly because of it; before, it was bad, but not a constant awful painful hideous problem! it's not going to be difficult to show the emotion of how much it's bothering me, or the emotion of how much it bothers me that i cannot get my job to understand i need to see someone. at the VERY least, with a note from the hospital referring me to dermatology, they cannot argue with that especially if i show them my arms...

 

Erythrodermic Psoriasis and Generalised pustular psoriasis or von Zumbusch psoriasis is when you should get emergency treatment. You can read more of the different types here: Types Of Psoriasis Explained

I would suggest printing off a copy and filling in the DLQI here: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)

i did get coconut oil at Walgreens last night... didn't seem to do too much, but then again i only started using it last night.  does anyone know if the coconut oil supplements/vitamins help, or just the topical oil to moisturize?

The supplements will not help, and you need a good quality virgin coconut oil. You could try some Dexeryl Cream instead that may be better for you.

[jiml]

I agree with Fred that stress can be a factor and while you might not have felt stressed moving house and changing jobs .that could possibly have been the trigger, then the Psoriasis spreading has caused additional stress and anxiety, again causing it to get worse it’s not an uncommon downward spiral

Hopefully your new employer will be sympathetic when they know of your problems.
I look forward to hearing what your Emergecy Room do for you when you see them

Good luck and keep coming back and talking it helps to know you’re not alone

[Caroline]

Araorun,

Stress is indeed a very strong factor to release the Psoriasis.
But a question: did you perhaps recently had a streptococcus or staphylococcus infection? A throat infection?

The bacteria can also have an influence on a Psoriasis breakout.

I hope ER can do something for you .

[araorun]

thank you all so much for your advice. yes, it does help to have support!!

to answer your question: no, i haven't had strep or anything. I monitor my blood sugars pretty closely and I never had any high numbers that indicate an infection. Nor do i have any such numbers now; actually, it was low right before lunch... i my appetite is decreased because of the pain and discomfort. 

and yes, i certainly felt the stress of moving. my landlord terminated my lease and i had 30 days to find a house and i had to pay more than $2200 -- a month's salary -- to rent a new house, and absolutely, i was thinking over my lunch break, the stress of the breakout(s) are causing more stress. I live in Memphis and the humidity makes it much worse; in the summer, it was awful. then it cooled off and we had about a month of fall weather and literally, i joke not, the first day the humidity rolled out and the cooler temps came in, my legs began to clear up immediately. then in the winter the cold air makes it dry, itchy and painful. no season is a good season except the seasons we don't really get here! 

significantly worse along my left side and i sleep 95 percent of the time on my left - even with soft cotton jammies and sheets, i'm rubbing all over them in the same spots every night. i try to roll over, but i just can't sleep as well. 

a coworker of mine (who has no idea it's as bad as it is) gave me some of her gold bond she uses for her eczema--i tried a little bit to not be rude and because I didn't want to say it's so bad nothing topical seems to help. but all it did was make me itch. I will try to stop today and find some dexeryl cream; walgreens only had one kind of coconut oil that's wasn't for hair. as i'm sure you all know hydrocortisone burns like hell, or it can.

[araorun]

besides stress... any reason for this anyone knows of? 

Unfortunately no one really knows, if we did we would know exactly how to stop it. I have found stress to be the biggest trigger, but also have had flare ups with hot and cold weather. Some say foods can effect it, but I'm not convinced and in my case I like my food to much to try.

 i've read if you experience rapid spreading of the psoriasis, you should go to the ER... and yes, i know it's taking a chance, but maybe they could at least start me on something that will actually help. i am miserable constantly because of it; before, it was bad, but not a constant awful painful hideous problem! it's not going to be difficult to show the emotion of how much it's bothering me, or the emotion of how much it bothers me that i cannot get my job to understand i need to see someone. at the VERY least, with a note from the hospital referring me to dermatology, they cannot argue with that especially if i show them my arms...

 

Erythrodermic Psoriasis and Generalised pustular psoriasis or von Zumbusch psoriasis is when you should get emergency treatment. You can read more of the different types here: Types Of Psoriasis Explained

I would suggest printing off a copy and filling in the DLQI here: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)

i did get coconut oil at Walgreens last night... didn't seem to do too much, but then again i only started using it last night.  does anyone know if the coconut oil supplements/vitamins help, or just the topical oil to moisturize?

The supplements will not help, and you need a good quality virgin coconut oil. You could try some Dexeryl Cream instead that may be better for you.

 

Not sure if I am incorrect, but I am reading that dexeryl cream is prescription only?

[Fred]

Not sure if I am incorrect, but I am reading that dexeryl cream is prescription only?

It is on prescription but you can purchase it without prescription.

I'll PM you somewhere reliable you can get it.

[mataribot]

I’m a bit late to the party, but oh well. Being that your diabetic l, I would stay away from steriod pills and shots (creams are fine). Sounds like to me that you need systemic treatment. There is lots of pill and stuff to consider (stay away from MTX - diabetic concerns). The only thing I can add is to not to take to many baths and use soap for sensitive skin. Well hope you fill better soon.

[Bill]

Welcome araorun,

I agree with matari re the indication for systemic treatment. Once you have a large body surface area affected topical treatment gets unmanageable and messy. There is also the prospect of undesirable effects from systemic absorption with some topicals. I find occlusion with a couple of band aids after topical application really helpful, but I only have a couple of spots. Not practical to bandage yourself up like a mummy.

Cheers

[araorun]

I’m a bit late to the party, but oh well. Being that your diabetic l, I would stay away from steriod pills and shots (creams are fine). Sounds like to me that you need systemic treatment. There is lots of pill and stuff to consider (stay away from MTX - diabetic concerns). The only thing I can add is to not to take to many baths and use soap for sensitive skin. Well hope you fill better soon.

BIGGEST WASTE OF MY TIME EVER. yesterday after work i noticed my ankles and feet swollen badly and legs as well feeling hot and red. so i present to ER with these symptoms. first of all, my blood sugar was 44 so they made me drink and eat to bring it up. the triage nurses got it. the nurse asked me, "Have you ever been diagnosed with celluitis?" no, i say. type 1 diabetes and plaque psoriasis. 


6 hours and all they did was they gave me a steroid shot, a scrip for Prednizone and one for tramadol (WHICH I CAN'T TAKE BECAUSE I AM ON OTHER CONTRADICATING MEDS AND THEY KNOW THAT) and no diuretic to help the swelling, nothing. the first thing the doctor said when he came in was, "who is your rheumatologist?" i was like, "what? i don't even have a dermatologist." he said i need to see a rheumatologist and told me around my area that could take weeks. i said why not a derm? he said, "Dermatologists in Memphis don't help." i proceeded to show him the hot inflamed skin, the rapid spread of the psorasis and as well as a photo of myself from 2015 where you can see what my psoriasis USED to look like... isolated spot on elbow, in this pic, not disfiguring. (if i had the energy to figure out how to post pics here i would so you all could see what i'm talking about... this outbreak started maybe six weeks ago, has gotten worse every day since and even, I noticed, was spreading in a place today that it wasn't YESTERDAY.)

 i asked the nurse if he was going to give me anything for the swelling and she said "the prednizone will help with that." WTF? I have never heard that. they did not discuss the issue of blood sugar and steroids. my discharge papers said "find a rheumatologist." i kid you not, they didn't even give me a name. 

i'm going to call my aunt tomorrow who is a retired RN and see if she has any diuretics. also probably will call my psych as i'm freaking out. they did virtually nothing but gave me two drugs, one of which is not good for me but ill try anything to take the inflammation down, the other drug i can't even take at all. drew blood, no blood test results were given to me; i don't know they even reviewed them. 

 the discharge papers said to moisturize with ointment or oil for best results and UV rays like i had come in with a couple of patches of a breakout and was new to this. OK, it's over 70 percent of my body. i scored a 30 on the derm quality of life test. three months ago it wouldn't have been near that. i'm swollen and hot and inflamed. and now furious, tired and nauseated from that damn steroid shot they gave me in the ER. i had to stop and get a slushie at the gas station to try to calm my stomach down. 

so.... f--- that. that didn't work. i mean, who looks at a swollen type 1 diabetic and gives them prednizone and no referral to a doctor, just instructions say "find a rheumatologist"??? why a rheumatologist and not a derm? i am furious. and i went to one of the best ERs in the city. this doctor was awful, the nurse was awful, and i can't live like this. someone has to help me at least get some temporary relief and an actual name of a doctor who they will help me get in to see. i have never seen anything like that!! 

going to soak in a bath and try to not fume any longer over this.... but guys.... i've lived with plaque psorasis for years and this is beyond anything ive ever dealt with, hence my posting here. i don't know that i can keep up the chase, esp with my job not allowing me to take time off to see my damn PCP -- who is also pretty worthless. my old PCP retired and this guy took over. i had two bad experiences with him the one time i have actually seen him. all he does is keep my insulin refilled, and sometimes takes days to call in THAT. i had to go to the minor med because he didn't call it in after 3 days of calling and he has no after hours numbers or anything. i'm at my wit's end. i'm going to take the prednizone... better than nothing... but so so so so so so so so angry and depresssed and disappointed i can't even type or spell correctly and i'm a staff writer for a living for three national publications... hence the inability to take time off, not only am i still within my 90 day probationary period, i have deadlines to meet. jesus.