Psoriasis?!?

Hey gang, I've suffered from plaque psoriasis for about 6 years now and it's in the final stages of healing. I use two different creams which are quite helpful - I have also had light treatment and used different methods of soaking. Just wondering if anyone has any helpful hints on what they've used that has worked. Serious comments only, please. (And.... what have been the psychological effects of having this skin condition and how have you handled it?) Must answer both parts to be chosen for best answer!

Psoriasis?!?
Creams may still be working if you have only had this for 6 years, but they will stop working as the body gets use to them. Try alternating between topical steroids, dovonex, and tar. To really get this under control you need to be taking Enbrel. At $20,000 per year, you need good insurance to cover this. Enbrel really works and all you due is inject yourself once a week.
Reply:Enbrel has a program it's called the Encourage Foundation %26amp; depending on your income you can qualify for it for free... their phone # is 1-800-376-2580 or 1-800-282-7752. If you qualify they will fax paperwork to your Dr for a prescription then they will mail it to you from their pharmacy Report It

Reply:I am currently on Enbrel, and injection based antibiotic, and that is the only thing that worked for me. I have had this for 17 years now, and all the topicals did little. I was on methotrexate and it did little, The Enbrel totally cleared my head and is working wonders on my elbows and knees, as well as my torso. I had a pretty bad case, and while it did affect me psychologically, I used humor to deal with it. there was one time I was kicked out of a pool on vacation because of it, and ever since I made sure I had a letter from my doctor clearing me for all acticities so if someone had a concern I could answer it. That made me feel like crap, and gave me a taste of what discrimination must be like, but it also made me realize other people are so misinformed about my condition, that I try to teach those I know about it. Good luck!
Reply:Like you I have had psoriasis for years. Before I got it, I had not even ever heard of it.


Obviously, one has to cope with it. There is no choice.


At times - in my case - it has been more than 50%.


Since years I belong to the American NPF (National Psoriasis Foundation) and in their monthly magazine "Advance" there is always a lot of useful information. The questions you, I and everybody ask are extensively answered in it. One very interesting column is: "It works for me", just what you are looking for.


Greetings from someone who knows what you are going through.





NPF web site: %26lt;www.psoriasis.org%26gt;
Reply:I suffer from plaque psoriasis, too. I've had it on and off for roughly 7 years.


I've used serveral topical medications. Dovonex works "most of the time". (ha.)


right now my skin is the worst it's ever been... and I've been having hopeless feelings, and depression. How do I deal? I just think, it could be worse. I could be bound to a wheel chair... or unable to talk/see/hear.