Topical Steroids to Methotrexate & Light Therapy

[Forest Walker]

Around January 2021, a persistent but calm and subtle rash on my ankle bloomed into a troublesome, painful, patch.  A primary care doctor referred me to a dermatologist who took two punch biopsies.  

Before I found Psoriasis Club:

This first dermatologist told me incorrect information regarding Humira and Psoriasis.  He prescribed Betamethasone 0.05% for the legs, a similar formula lotion for the scalp, and Desonide Ointment 0.05% for sensitive areas and skin folds.   

His manner was arrogant and rushed.  He provided little information.  Patches continued to spread upon my lower legs and appear on my torso, arms, genitals, and more across my scalp.

I finally searched for support online when my fingertips and the insteps of my feet began bleeding.  I had developed thinning skin from the topical steroids.

When I found Psoriasis Club:

I learned about overusing topical steroids.  I learned about different medical therapies.  I read that a couple members had managed their skin through diet alone.   This club offered me information that the first dermatologist failed to provide.  This club inspired me to find a better doctor.  

While the dietary changes didn't affect my skin, I did reduce my sugar intake significantly and feel better for it, overall.  I rely less on wheats, also.  My overall diet has improved.  

My current dermatologist: 

I'm receiving good, compassionate, intelligent care, now.  My current dermatologist has provided information on how to use topical steroids, changed the ointments, added a Vitamin D derivative, provided a schedule for usage.  She's offered light therapy, Methotrexate, and Folic Acid.  She provided printed information on this condition and assurance that there are other medications to try.  

Best of all:

I understood the options discussed by this doctor because I read about prescribed treatments here.  Psoriasis Club has helped me to be informed about my condition and the treatments.  

I'm finally, finally, finally . . . finally! . . . feeling some relief.

On this last day of 2021, I feel contemplative, looking back over the year.  I'm hopeful, looking forward to skin improvement and the continued sense of belonging in a community of patchy people from all around the world here at Psoriasis Club.

[Fred]

Patchy people I'm pleased to hear you have found Psoriasis Club useful, it sounds like you have a good dermatologist I look forward to your updates.

You may want to change the treatments in your profile FW

Long may the relief keep going in 2022.

[jiml]

Great to read FW that you feel the club has helped educate you about the condition and you feel happier talking to the dermatologist as you have learnt  from here of the various treatments available so you are better able  to discuss treatments from a position of knowledge. I'm glad that you, like me find the community here friendly and helpful and give a feeling of belonging

[Kat]

Forest I totally understand! When I first was diagnosed with psoriasis I had no clue really. This forum helped me be able to not only have a better understanding of the disease, but threads about treatments helped me tremendously when having discussions with my doctors!

Happy New Year and I hope 2022 brings us all to a better place!

[KatT]

So true!  This forum helps immensely and provides support 

[Caroline]

For me the forum is a giant source of information about the different kinds of psoriasis and how the people who have that deal with them.
It shows me that no one is the same, treatments are diverse and versatile, like are the reactions to them. But I also see a trend coming from the forum in the progress that people make with treatments, which shows me that certain treatments are less useful as they are bound to fail.
It also shows me that my own treatment is standing a bit alone, but appears to have been very effective over the years, which is also seen with the others that use the same treatment.

Furthermore the forum is crowded with very nice people all searching and delivering information that is valuable for others.
Great description of Forest on how the forum has helped her.

[Forest Walker]

The age of the club and the histories are helpful.  Certainly, the trends of what people have used, the results obtained and lost or kept, the whole wealth of experience--so deeply valuable.  Additionally, some members are keen researchers, able to dig in and find facts that an ordinary patient is unlikely to find, perhaps even a local doctor is not aware of.  Psoriasis in the News, as it comes, is shared in the club, as well.

My scalp is no longer itchy.  The coconut oil had helped there, but on my 5th week of Methotrexate, the patches I could see on the hairline are barely visible.  My scalp does not itch, anymore.  I'm not shedding flakes on my clothing and furniture from the scalp.  

The nausea and headaches are uncomfortable, and I may not stay with Methotrexate or may switch to injections.  But, likely, in the coming months, I'll switch from Humira and Methotrexate to Stelara.  I don't know, yet.

Caroline, I don't know if the slow-release medication you take is available here.   My next dermatology appointment is on February 8.  I'll be asking about it.

[Forest Walker]

Happy New Year and I hope 2022 brings us all to a better place!

Happy New Year to you all!  I hope 2022 brings us all to a better place, too, Kat.  

[Caroline]

Caroline, I don't know if the slow-release medication you take is available here.   My next dermatology appointment is on February 8.  I'll be asking about it.

I can enlighten you on that… No it is not available at your side.
It is, so called magistrically made, only in the Netherlands.
You could say, magistrically, is that with pots and pans and an old woman with a pointy hat and a flying broom in the corner of the kitchen…. Well… no… It is a very modern high tech machine that creates it.



But it is the idea that counts. If other pharmacists create a slow release version, they can conquer the world with it, as it then becomes a very effective treatment for psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.
Up to now however these pharmacists don’t listen to the patients with experience over here in the Netherlands. So sad.