New to PC, suffering and unable to see a doctor

[araorun]

Hi all, 

I'm a 36-year-old type 1 diabetic who was diagnosed with psoriasis in my late 20s, I want to say by 2008 or 2009 I for sure had it, because I had my son in 2010 and I had it then. But that was actually before I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. After I had my son, my pancreas just stopping working and my psoriasis got worse. It started on my legs, then I had it on my scalp. Since then I've had it on my elbows and in and around my belly button. Not good, but manageable, somewhat. 

Over the years I've noticed it pretty much was in the same spots, and at times it would get better, but the past month or six weeks, it's grown. Drastically. It's now on my forearms, ribcage, lower back, upper right shoulder and one spot on my upper thigh. I can't wear anything but long-sleeved shirts because it is so hideous. My child leaves the room when I change clothes and not because he's giving me privacy--because it's so awful to look at. I would say it's doubled in the areas its affecting at least. 

The worst part is, I just started a new job and I have no PTO. Despite that, I had to stay home for two days with my son who had the flu and I had to take off a half-day Monday to let AT&T into my house to connect my wifi as I just moved. Monday afternoon, the company owners called me in and said I was pushing it. I had planned to tell them I needed to see a doctor asap, but after learning my job was on the line, I didn't. 

I've done some research and from what I can tell, it sounds like I need to just go to the ER. I can't do that until Friday, because I HAVE to be at work 830-430 and I'm a single mom. My kid goes to his dad's house Friday nights so I'm going to make an ER visit Friday after work. 

No dermatologist, PCP, minor med or nurse practitioner has ever given me anything but Prednizone, topical creams and at my last visit, when I showed them this worsening breakout, they just gave me hydroxyzine for the itching. but the itching is not the worst of it. It's the pain. It's dry and cracking open on my inner elbows, and simply stretching my arms causes me pain. I can't wear anything but soft cotton clothes, and it's becoming difficult to find something different every day. No one has ever tried an oral medication or an injection. They simply under-treat it. 

I don't have a lot of money to try home remedies unless someone can suggest something that actually works. I'm afraid this breakout will never go away, and I can't live with it. I do the epsom salt baths. they seem to be drying it out more and making it more painful.

[jiml]

Hi araorun and   to the club... I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time ....it's unfortunate that you have just moved house and job at the same time that's stressful enough without the added stress of psoriasis....I will say if you are like most of us and not flush with spare cash ....don't waste what money you do have on miracle cures or expensive creams that will at best hydrate your skin and moisturise it

I would present myself to an ER department where you may well be given something like Methotrexate or acetretin tablets either of them should help a lot

Meantime get yourself a good quality coconut oil which should soften the skin and give some relief

I wish you luck getting treatment and hope you will stay in touch with us


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[Fred]

Hello araorun   to Psoriasis Club.

I'm with Jim, don't waste your time or money there are not many home remedies that work and if they do they won't last long.

As for your Son, I would start to educate him that Psoriasis isn't going to hurt him. It's just something that his Mum has and she needs his support to help her get through it. Get him to have a read through these threads with you.

Psoriasis Myths and History

Is Psoriasis Contagious?

He's young and has an inquisitive mind so share with him.

And Dermatologist is the way to go.

Regards.

Fred.

[araorun]

thank you so much. it is a difficult thing to deal with. it always was hard but now it's just devastatingly life-disrupting. it hurts to do anything, my skin is so dry. i use Neosporin to keep it moist but I can use a tube of that a day, easily. 

I appreciate the suggestions for oral meds -- that's the route I'd like to go -- although I've read some drs use injections? Any advice on oral meds or injections that have helped would be great. I have Medicaid and I'm trying to get into a dermatologist but the wait times for a specialist are until May or June, at least of all the ones I've called. By then, I should be able to get my work to understand this is serious. Unfortunately, I cannot bring it up this week as I had planned. 

I will get some coconut oil and try that. the spreading of the psoriasis almost looks different from the rest of it... like a rash. but i know it's not. it's spreading out from areas where it was formally contained (more or less) to isolated spots (e.g. from under my breasts to around the outside and to shoulder blades). 

it's unfortunate that i have to go to an ER for this but, it's so awful i honestly feel like it is an emergency at this point. 

i thank you all for your support and welcome any advice. Am I insane, or does it seem that the Epsom salt baths actually make it worse (drier, more painful)?

[Fred]

I doubt you will get offered the injections till you have failed the oral treatments you can read about the different ones here Oral Treatments For Psoriasis

As for Epsom salt baths I've not tried them, but I do use it soak my feet once a month. The best baths I ever had was in hospital and they used Wheat Starch, you could try that.

But try not to let it get you down, you will find a good bunch of people here that you can lean on as we know how you feel.

[jiml]

You will find us a very friendly group' and we do understand your feeling of desperation I know I have felt that way several times in my life ......but there us a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm sure presenting yourself at an ER department should get you a start to some treatment ......I remember one of our members Kh924 Kelly did just that and got treatment ....I'll see if I can find her post, she is in Boston so in the American system
If you do go to a hospital ....do have some tears ready as that may help ....tell them it's ruining your quality of life .....tell them you can't go on, don't be brave and bottle your emotions up.

Epsom salts I don't have an opinion but read this post How I repaired my body

EDIT
Found Kelly's thread you may like to read Wound up in the Emergency Room

[Caroline]

Ah, I was almost fearing that you had no insurance, but you have some, that is at least important.
By the way, first a welcome to psoriasisclub, we are no doctors,  but we will try to think together with you in the direction of something that can work and help.  

Indeed what Jim and Fred are saying, forget about the ointments. Go for the coconut oil. And yes the dermatologist. I don’t know if you can hold on the coconut oil, but I fear that ER will not really be able to help you, most of the medication you need with serious Psoriasis don’t work quickly.

I don’t know about the salt baths, but I know it is not the same as floating in the Dead Sea, which seems to help.

You might check a few options.
There is something as UV light, but be careful with it if your skin is already damaged.
There is also the option of a diet, one of our members, Alan, has made an extensive description, it is very heavy.
Then there are the systemics. Those are cyclosporine (useless), acetetin(weird side effects, but may work), Methotrexate (loved and hated) and the fumarates (difficult to get in the US, but common in Europe, may work very well).
Those you will have to go through perhaps first, but for all you need to contact a dermatologist and be monitored very well.

It seems a bit clinical reaction, but I am very touched by your problems and try to mention some options.
Caroline

Ps. O yes, and take extra vitamin D !!

[KyPrincess]

Hi. Welcome to the club.

[Turnedlight]

Hi it’s nice to meet you, sorry to hear you’re having a horrible time, I know there’s a tipping point between being able to cope and then having it so widespread it just feels unmanageable.
If going to the er might prompt them to fast track your dermatotology appointment then it’s worth doing, or if they might get you on to a drug.
Also, if your patches are red and hot, and it’s affecting your body temperature control (ie you start to feel like you have the flu) I would definitely go.
I don’t think other people without it can appreciate how painful and all consuming it can be, just looking at psoriasis doesn’t really convey to them how bad it can feel.

I hope you get some relief soon!

[Grizzly Bear]

araorun


If you can afford it, get yourself some raw coconut oil.

It’s brilliant stuff on psoriasis and you only need a very small amount on your patches.

The other good thing about coconut oil is it has natural healing properties too.

GB