Psoriasis. W.T.F.

[me b zola]

I first sought help at a clinic almost a year ago. I am in agony. My body feels like it has been shredded by a cheese grater. All the clinic physicians could prescribe for me was some crappy stuff in tiny tubes which not only gave me no relief, the evil that is psoriasis has now taken over most of my body. I just got in to see a dermatologist who has prescribed a topical steroid that is supposed to work better, I will be able to pick that up from the pharmacy tomorrow.

Someone please tell me that this is going to make it all go away. I can't stand it any more. :cry:

[tavalon]

1. Psoriasis can sometimes be a marker for celiac sprue

If that's what is causing it, only a gluten free diet will help.

[mopinko]

2. ask about a short course of steroids.

surprised they didn't recommend that. a medrol is a pack with 6,5,4,3,2,1 doses for a day, which knocks stuff out, but is discontinued quickly enough to not cause trouble.

[Warpy]

4. Oddly enough, we rarely used systemic steroids

in the dermatology unit where I worked. Topical medications worked better.

Full body topical steroids are absorbed through the skin, so the patient is already getting a pretty good load of steroid. As the psoriasis clears, the application area is reduced and that provides an automatic steroid taper.

I saw the worst of the worst cases there, often brought in from all over the planet.

[skorpo]

5. My sib was treated with a medrol pack and things cleared up fast.

[Warpy]

3. Ow. Full body psoriasis can be fatal if not treated

and I'm shocked that doctors allowed you to get that far.

The topical steroid you will probably get comes in a jar, not a tube. Apply it thinly, this is one case where more is not better.

Aveeno baths twice a day can reduce both soreness and itching. Aveeno is an oatmeal preparation that's over the counter in most drug stores. It's not a treatment per se, it's just soothing.

UVB has also shown promise. There are handheld devices out there. Your doc can write you a prescription if he decides to add that.

Do wear either sweats or PJs to bed that you don't mind losing. Cortisone creams can stain.

The good news is that yes, it can be treated and you can get back to normal. The bad news is that it's something that can flare up again.

[w8liftinglady]

6. excellent post-my oldest son has psoriasis

and it will flare up from time to time.Fortunately,we had luck with steroid creams,pine tar baths,and aveeno baths.His was mostly in his scalp and face,so it was a lot easier to control.

[me b zola]

7. Thank you so much for the info

It turns out that the dermatologist that I saw prescribed the same stuff that I had before, triamcinolone acetonide oint 0.1% (I thought that I was getting a cortisone). She volunteered her time to see me, I'm receiving assistance through an agency that helps give low income people access to specialists that they need.

I am currently wrapped in cellophane, I have read somewhere on the internet that it is supposed to help. I'll be getting a sauna suit today or tomorrow, this is what the DR told me to buy. Because the tar compound is expensive, the doctor told me to buy the tar myself and mix it with the ointment that she prescribed.

I'm frustrated, angry, and a little scared.

[Warpy]

10. I'm surprised they're still using tar

I used it 25 years ago on a state of the art dermatology unit where researchers were defending its use against newer treatments. It's nice the old stuff wins once in a while.

My advice about the old sweats or tacky jammies to bed goes double if you're using that stuff.

[me b zola]

8. Thanks to everyone who has replied.

The Dr ended up prescribing the same ointment that I had before, just in larger tubes. :eyes: I have contacted the agency that assisted me with getting in to see the dermatologist and they are working with me to get the correct medication.

The pain is gone for now, Mr Z tore up our aloe plant and has been rubbing me down with that, it takes away some of the inflammation. Now I'm worried about my son and my four grandchildren as this is a genetic disease.

[ohheckyeah]

9. I don't often post in this forum

and I don't believe in woo woo medicine. My dad had a bad case of psoriasis on his arms to the point it was painful to look at. He started taking Turmeric and the skin on his arms looks like new skin. If it starts to act up and look like it's coming back he takes Turmeric for a couple of days and it goes away. He spent thousands on creams and ointments and this is the only thing that worked for him.