Happy to find you ! newbie Linn

[Linn]

Hello All I hail from Vancouver Island, am 54 years old and am very happy to have found this site..! I started this journey in my late 20's after a bout with an unusual strep infec., that was not diagnosed for some time, then guttate and finally trip to dermatologist.
Plaque psoriasis came after 3rd child in late thirties and has plagued me on an off ever since. Stress and traumatic events have been a part of every major outbreak.
Currently, it is the worst it has ever been (feet and legs) and joint pain. This last precursor; major financial change, back to school for a bit, job change, kids leaving home - qualify all this. Except - they are not ceasing or getting better as time goes on!!!! Nasty turn of events and left it some time assuming it would just ease up.
This time I believe menopausal hormone shifts are exacerbating, causing all added fun - both guttate and plaque, lol.
I have seen a new, very young dermatologist with hopes of current discussion regarding treatments etc... funny, ended up with a coal tar treatment to start. This is merely irritating everything, and next appt. is long away. SO - that is where I am at at this moment in time - thanks for reading

Ahh, and last but not least, my mum and grand dad had psoriasis as well...

[Fred]

Hello Linn to Psoriasis Club.

Your very young dermatologist sounds like he/she has a lot to learn. Coal tar treatment for someone that has had psoriasis for as long as you have seems a bit pointless to me.

I hope you get something better at your next appointment and hopefully a more experienced dermatologist.

Regards.

Fred.

[jiml]

Hello All I hail from Vancouver Island, am 54 years old and am very happy to have found this site..! I started this journey in my late 20's after a bout with an unusual strep infec., that was not diagnosed for some time, then guttate and finally trip to dermatologist.
Plaque psoriasis came after 3rd child in late thirties and has plagued me on an off ever since. Stress and traumatic events have been a part of every major outbreak.
Currently, it is the worst it has ever been (feet and legs) and joint pain. This last precursor; major financial change, back to school for a bit, job change, kids leaving home - qualify all this. Except - they are not ceasing or getting better as time goes on!!!! Nasty turn of events and left it some time assuming it would just ease up.
This time I believe menopausal hormone shifts are exacerbating, causing all added fun - both guttate and plaque, lol.
I have seen a new, very young dermatologist with hopes of current discussion regarding treatments etc... funny, ended up with a coal tar treatment to start. This is merely irritating everything, and next appt. is long away. SO - that is where I am at at this moment in time - thanks for reading

Ahh, and last but not least, my mum and grand dad had psoriasis as well...

Hi Linn, I'm glad you have found this site as well, we are a group of friendly sufferers, and all came here to try to find answers, we share information and are happy to support each other.
This site us full of great information about the disease and the various treatments available, together with members experiences
Fred has given us a safe site where there is no advertising or links to other sites, also spammers are kicked out. Making this a safe site for you and me to visit without any outside pressures .

I think you just starting on coal tar treatment after having the disease for so long seems a bit strange but it might work on your plaque psoriasis but I doubt it will touch your aching joints, I think you will need something different to tackle that

I would be inclined to ask for another appointment sooner rather than later, and tell them that the coal tar hasn't helped the joint pain

Enjoy your time here with us and ask as many questions as you like there is usually someone to help
Good luck
Jim

[Linn]

Thanks for the reply, Fred

I know, I know...I was somewhat taken aback when she suggested this. I had said, way long ago, that it had helped on large plaques so she said try it again. I was checked over and ushered out quickly with a scipt for sa3%lcd10% in clobetasol. This is not the coal tar ointment I had in the past, so she was not very clear or I did not ask enough.
It is positively painful on my feet as it is not plaque, more flushed and rash like and I have given it up.

I am not confident in her approach but will try her once more - then on to another

[Caroline]

Hi Linn,

Welcome! to our fun psoriasisclub. Because despite we are all wrestling with this stupid disease,
We try to make the best out of it.

Next time when you are with the dermatologist you should ask if she is going to treat the auto immune disease that psoriasis fundamentally is, or that she will continue to treat the outer signs. In the mean time since your first coal tar treaments very much better treatments have been developed. So your dermatologist has to do better .

Your joint pains point to psoriatic arthritis, PsA, and that certainly cannot be treated with an external medication.

Over here with us you can find much information and many ideas and opinions, mixed with experiences, so something should fit for you.

Make yourself at home and a greet from the other side of the Atlantic.
Caroline

[Linn]

Hi Jim,

I welcome your thoughts and knowledge greatly. I have more to add and look forward to further conversation and hope for better outcomes for all..thanks for the reply too

Linn

[Linn]

Hi Caroline!

Yes, the whole auto immune disorder is a melting pot of issues...Treating the appearance is only a small step. Heaven knows whats going on on the inside, right? :

I had mostly given up on any help - the dermatologists, ophthalmologists (recurrent episcleritis), general practitioners etc do not communicate and none of them seem willing to see the larger picture. Naturopaths - ND's, have their place but are expensive and often very rigid if not righteous .

Over time, as this used to come and go and was relatively mild, I just did my own thing - omega oils, water, limited white things, gluten, less wine ( , less smoking, green smoothies, exercise - all helps. However, I am not very good at sticking with things for long periods of time and as said above, time usually took care of the psoriasis. This is no longer the case and I am sure age, menopause, and some exterior forces (stress, vaccinations) are combining to make it a different and worse picture. I know I have to seek further treatment options and now, yet again, a new specialist.

I truly appreciate any information and personal thoughts and experiences you can share - it is a blessing!

Linda

[jiml]

Hi Jim,

I welcome your thoughts and knowledge greatly. I have more to add and look forward to further conversation and hope for better outcomes for all..thanks for the reply too

Linn

I look forward to more conversations with you and look forward to hearing from you of your experiences. Let's hope you can get some good treatment soon, Caroline is right you should not have been palmed off with the coal tar although it sounds like you were prescribed salicylic acid and a steroid ointment, this may reduce the plaques
But she's right it will do nothing for your joints. There is much information here in prescribed treatments , and to be honest you should have been given something to tackle the disease, not just the scales

have a slice of welcome cake    

[Linn]

Nice cake - so happy to have been invited to the party!!!

[jiml]

Nice cake - so happy to have been invited to the party!!!

You are welcome, I baked it myself Don't eat it all leave a slice for me