Health Boards
Tue-23-05-2017, 07:33 AM
Hello everyone!
I was diagnosed with psoriasis about 3 years ago after having a bout with strep throat. A few months later I noticed these weird itchy, scaly patches on my calves and hairline...made an apt. with my dermatologist and she diagnosed it as psoriasis. I'd never had it before and I'm in my 50's.
It was manageable at first but in the last year, it has been spreading to more of my calves and the itching has intensified. I've been using topical steroids (Taclonex) and a Vit. D cream. I've gone through about 11-12 Exemer light therapy sessions but the itching, scaling, stinging and burning sensations have turned me off to continuing....plus, my legs now look like leopard skin! The Dr. has suggested Stelara but not sure I want to go down that path. I hate the thought of the side effects...thank you to all who have posted on here your experiences with it....seems like the side effects can be worse than the disease. I really don't want to end up damaging other organs (kidneys? liver? etc) in trying to clear up my skin.
I've cleaned up my diet, thinking that would help...not noticeably other than lost some weight (not complaining). Read the threads on here about eliminating gluten, sugars, etc. which is what I have done. Eliminated wine/alcohol for awhile but sometimes, you just need that lil' sumthin' sumthin'. Aiming for just the weekends for now. Someone posted about "leaky gut" which I've been hypothesizing about, as well. Been on probiotics for about 7 months. After I started on those, the onset of PA went away! #Win!
That's my story...look forward to all the great information on this site and thank you, everyone, for sharing your stories, trials, and information!
I was diagnosed with psoriasis about 3 years ago after having a bout with strep throat. A few months later I noticed these weird itchy, scaly patches on my calves and hairline...made an apt. with my dermatologist and she diagnosed it as psoriasis. I'd never had it before and I'm in my 50's.
It was manageable at first but in the last year, it has been spreading to more of my calves and the itching has intensified. I've been using topical steroids (Taclonex) and a Vit. D cream. I've gone through about 11-12 Exemer light therapy sessions but the itching, scaling, stinging and burning sensations have turned me off to continuing....plus, my legs now look like leopard skin! The Dr. has suggested Stelara but not sure I want to go down that path. I hate the thought of the side effects...thank you to all who have posted on here your experiences with it....seems like the side effects can be worse than the disease. I really don't want to end up damaging other organs (kidneys? liver? etc) in trying to clear up my skin.
I've cleaned up my diet, thinking that would help...not noticeably other than lost some weight (not complaining). Read the threads on here about eliminating gluten, sugars, etc. which is what I have done. Eliminated wine/alcohol for awhile but sometimes, you just need that lil' sumthin' sumthin'. Aiming for just the weekends for now. Someone posted about "leaky gut" which I've been hypothesizing about, as well. Been on probiotics for about 7 months. After I started on those, the onset of PA went away! #Win!
That's my story...look forward to all the great information on this site and thank you, everyone, for sharing your stories, trials, and information!