Health Boards
Hello. I've been without health care for nearly fifteen years and unfortunately that's just about when bouts of severe psoriasis started cropping up on my sides, lower back, stomach, elbows, knees, legs, and now hands and forearms. My self treatment has been trying to stay on an alkaline diet (which I struggle to stick with for long periods and 'cheat'). I also drink as much water as I can stand (usually 4 to 6 8oz. glasses daily), and recently started trying either one teaspoon of bacon soda or Bragg's apple cider vinegar with water daily to help create a more alkaline chemistry in the body. With all the above failing to stop flare-ups I've managed to get a supply of 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate skin cream which no longer is working well to stop the redness and flaking on the troubled spots. Many of the worse spots have remained for months on end now and they're increasing in size. I believe the use of the cream has thinned my skin as I'm bruising easily and the skin on my knees actually splits if I squat quickly or land on them in a fall. Needless to say I'd better stop the cream. My problem is I don't know what to do next for the escalating inability to clear the troubled areas. I believe I have either psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or both because I've developed extreme joint pain in the legs, shoulders, and arms over the past two years and a few of my fingers and toes have developed nodules (swollen joints that don't go away) and no longer bend. One pinky is now deformed and bent totally out of shape from the swelling. I guess by now you've noticed I'm a mess. I stumbled upon this site and I hope others will have some advice for me as I honestly can't afford a primary doctor or health insurance, and I don't have medicare yet. Any suggestions? Thanks Nelson.