Health Boards
Thu-07-05-2015, 23:37 PM
Fred, you summed it up pretty well! I thought I was weird for seeing how big of a scale I could get off at one time. 
I could cover up the patches on my leg, back, stomach, elbows... but my ears, scalp and face were the ones that made me feel self conscious. I had it for almost a year before going to find out what it was (which was only a couple of years ago now, I did not have it in my younger years) At first, I thought dry skin and it started with the ears and they were peeling like crazy and looked awful. I had an appointment with my (ear, nose, throat) doctor for my hearing and he put me on a cream. Didn't help so my next gp appointment I got put on a different cream for eczema... also didn't help. Then my scalp started and patches started appearing out of nowhere. Finally I went to a dermatologist who diagnosed the psoriasis, which was a relief till he explained it was a life sentence and there was no cure, only treatments.
As supportive as my family is, I felt quite alone at times. I started avoiding going places and when I did I'd sit with my back to the wall so no one could sit behind me. I knew I had scales in my hair, the ones constantly on my shoulders were a reminder and I was ALWAYS checking my shoulders (still do) I thought about throwing out every dark colored shirt I owned as I was thinking I couldn't ever wear them again, it showed the scales too much. If I visited family (which was rare), I feared they would have to vacuum after me so would sit very still hoping I didn't leave a trail. Even though now I am fairly clear, I still have problems with my ears and scalp (minor compared to before) and each day I check to see if it's getting worse. You start to find your life revolves around psoriasis, either treating it or waiting for the next round.
I'm a fairly positive person, but it's life changing no matter how positive you look on it. This forum has been therapy for me, to know I'm not alone and there are people who know how it feels without words to explain it. It is very hard to explain!
I could cover up the patches on my leg, back, stomach, elbows... but my ears, scalp and face were the ones that made me feel self conscious. I had it for almost a year before going to find out what it was (which was only a couple of years ago now, I did not have it in my younger years) At first, I thought dry skin and it started with the ears and they were peeling like crazy and looked awful. I had an appointment with my (ear, nose, throat) doctor for my hearing and he put me on a cream. Didn't help so my next gp appointment I got put on a different cream for eczema... also didn't help. Then my scalp started and patches started appearing out of nowhere. Finally I went to a dermatologist who diagnosed the psoriasis, which was a relief till he explained it was a life sentence and there was no cure, only treatments.
As supportive as my family is, I felt quite alone at times. I started avoiding going places and when I did I'd sit with my back to the wall so no one could sit behind me. I knew I had scales in my hair, the ones constantly on my shoulders were a reminder and I was ALWAYS checking my shoulders (still do) I thought about throwing out every dark colored shirt I owned as I was thinking I couldn't ever wear them again, it showed the scales too much. If I visited family (which was rare), I feared they would have to vacuum after me so would sit very still hoping I didn't leave a trail. Even though now I am fairly clear, I still have problems with my ears and scalp (minor compared to before) and each day I check to see if it's getting worse. You start to find your life revolves around psoriasis, either treating it or waiting for the next round.
I'm a fairly positive person, but it's life changing no matter how positive you look on it. This forum has been therapy for me, to know I'm not alone and there are people who know how it feels without words to explain it. It is very hard to explain!