Health Boards
Thu-03-09-2015, 10:30 AM
Indeed jiml, the disease itself is quite easy to live with. It doesn't cause long term harm, generally not painful although it can be. I found the biggest thing was I avoided doing things I wanted to do and have enjoyed in the past such as swimming.
I found the biggest thing was, and more often than not my own perception, the social stigma of the disease. Psychologically it is very debilitating. It is easier for a GP to give you ten minutes of their time and have you leave with a prescription and some hope that it will alleviate the symptoms. However there are much much more effective treatments that are now available that your GP cannot prescribe. Unfortunately that's the way the medical profession works, be a pain and find something that works for you. There may be some trial and error, all of this is new to me and only the start of my journey. This time next year I may be on something else but now for the first time in 35+years I am free of psoriasis.
Would I be willing to change my treatment, most definitely, it would be really nice to have a beer but that is a small sacrifice after so many years. Now I am almost in the system, I had to move my NHS appointment to early November, but I can discuss long term treatments with a much clearer mind now.
I will discuss alternatives to MTX etc so I can have more normal lifestyle with choices and less testing but if it is MTX or psoriasis I will take MTX for now.
It's not only being clear of psoriasis but a far far easier treatment than lotions and potions upto twice a day, every day.
MTX is probably the first port of call as I guess it is relatively cheap compared to some alternatives and there is obviously a cost consideration to the NHS.
I found the biggest thing was, and more often than not my own perception, the social stigma of the disease. Psychologically it is very debilitating. It is easier for a GP to give you ten minutes of their time and have you leave with a prescription and some hope that it will alleviate the symptoms. However there are much much more effective treatments that are now available that your GP cannot prescribe. Unfortunately that's the way the medical profession works, be a pain and find something that works for you. There may be some trial and error, all of this is new to me and only the start of my journey. This time next year I may be on something else but now for the first time in 35+years I am free of psoriasis.
Would I be willing to change my treatment, most definitely, it would be really nice to have a beer but that is a small sacrifice after so many years. Now I am almost in the system, I had to move my NHS appointment to early November, but I can discuss long term treatments with a much clearer mind now.
I will discuss alternatives to MTX etc so I can have more normal lifestyle with choices and less testing but if it is MTX or psoriasis I will take MTX for now.
It's not only being clear of psoriasis but a far far easier treatment than lotions and potions upto twice a day, every day.
MTX is probably the first port of call as I guess it is relatively cheap compared to some alternatives and there is obviously a cost consideration to the NHS.