Just Joined

[jiml]

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!

Hi Darcy good to meet you and say   to the club .....sorry I'm rather late to meet you as I've been out all day
I can understand your reluctance to go onto biological drugs, although they are very safe if monitored properly and usually if they start to cause problems the dermatologists will take you off them and allow your body to recover
You can read about the biological drugs here Biological Treatments For Psoriasis
Stelara is very well reported here ....although you are more likely to read about problems that people have taking any  drug on a forum,  because that's why people come to forums to see if others have the same reaction to the drug......there will be thousands that use the drugs and never have any real problems ....they don't go looking for answers on a forum ...so don't let the odd story of bad side effects colour your judgement about a safe way forward

Bill mentioned systemic drugs there are several of those that might work for you before you move on to biological Stelara .....you can read about those here Oral Treatments For Psoriasis
Yes there are some genuine posts here about natural treatments and diet , not a thing I have tried as I have no willpower and enjoy all the wrong things ....but have a read of the natural treatment board here Natural Treatments For Psoriasis
I look forward to reading more from you, to see which way you decide to go

Jim

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