Singing in the rain... (My Experience of Psoriasis)

Member Name: ShoppingGirl

Product:	My Experience of Psoriasis
Date:	30/05/01 (418 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: umm...

Disadvantages: Difficult to spell, looks pretty unappealing.

Do you remember The Singing Detective? It was a musical drama from the late 80's, starring Michael Gambon. He had psoriasis really badly, and was confined to his hospital bed, where he had lots of bizarre fantasies!

The guy who wrote that programme, Dennis Potter, also suffered from psoriasis. He died a few years ago from cancer, but for us psoriasis sufferers it's the flaky face of the Singing Detective that we will remember him by the most.

I have had psoriasis since I was a teenager - not til I saw that programme did I realise how lucky I was, as I only have it in bits and pieces. Like the others who have written here - I had it at it's very worst during university stress. My worst psoriasis memory is waking up one morning with flu, in my halls of residence. I had slept so badly I was stuck to the sheets.

YUK!!!

I have tried four ways of clearing my psoriasis. I only get it on my head, my trunk (nice euphemism) and occasionally a wee bit on my shin.

1. Alphosyl cream
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This stuff is vile. It's yellow, it stinks, and it sits on top of your skin all day, making you uncomfortable and self conscious.
I tried this as a teenager and (typical!) gave up very quickly as the results weren't very miraculous.

2. Dithranol cream
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Oh my god - this stuff could take paint off your front door. Even at it's lowest strength, doctors recommend you only leave it on for an hour before washing it off. It worked in 24 hours on me - the scaly bits vanished - but left red, sunburn-like marks behind. A bit painful. This cream is colourless and doesn't smell.

3. Dovonex cream
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This is the latest cream available, and it's based on vitamin e (apparently). It's the best I've tried but takes loads of patience, as it takes weeks to clear the scaly patches. It doesn't stink and has no colour, but y
ou have to apply it twice daily for best results. Also, unlike Dithranol, it feels calm and gentle on your skin.

But I'm very impatient and sadly, I gave up on this one too.

4. Sunbeds
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Aha! My favourite one. I tried the sunbeds for the first time as a teenager, and was overjoyed that not only did I get a groovy tan - my psoriasis vanished away like melting snow. A Miracle!

Well, not really. It's up to you to assess the benfits versus the risk - but since all the evidence has come out about sunbed use and melanoma, I have to say I've stayed clear of them (most of the time!)

It's interesting to note that sunbeds warm you up and relax you too - could this 'stress relieving' aspect play a part in getting rid of psoriasis? I'll bet that it does.

The alternative:
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I am thirty now, and I have totally given up using any kind of prescription treatment for my psoriasis. I've basically decided that I do not want to 'wage war' on my own body. I'll never be clear of the scaly patches, but it isn't such a priority any more - and since I took that decision, the psoriasis has eased off just a wee bit, all on it's own.

There are three things that I have learned have an immediate, bad effect on my skin.

1. Caffeine.

I have now totally given up caffeine in all its forms. DOH! This has been tough, as I was dependent on it all my adult life. I drink peppermint tea now, and occasionally a decaf latte (can't give up Starbucks!). Caffeine is so bad for you!I realise now that so many of my health niggles were caused by it. It can cause nervousness, irritabliity and stomach bloating to name but a few charming symptoms.

I geniunely believe that my psoriasis has improved since I gave up caffeine - it's a long term thing though. Gotta have patience!

2. Alcohol.

Boo hoo! Alcohol goes
straight to those scales and makes them RED and ITCHY!! Which is a shame for those of us who like to knock back a pint or ten at the end of a hard week.
Again - this is where adult judgement comes into play. I would never tell somebody to stop drinking - psoriasis or not. But I do know that the morning after a heavy night, my skin has reverted back to those hellish student days.

I wonder if all that student psoriasis has a direct alcohol link? I'm sure mine did. Anyway - I still enjoy plenty of nights out. I just wear a big sweater the next day and make sure I get plenty of...


... 3. Sleep.

This is the one, single most important factor in managing my skin problems. One bad night and it's all over for me. If I get a nice long lie, my skin feels lovely as I wake.

Obviously, in stressful times we don't sleep so well. So that lovely stress/ lack of sleep combo can play hell with your psoriasis.

One very helpful doctor told me to 'avoid stress'!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately he was unable to sort out my job, family, money and relationship hassles with a prescription, so there's not much I can do there!

It is possible, however, to learn what calms your body down, and then make time to do those things. I find that surfing the net at night keeps me awake for hours, so I have to be really disciplined and shut down the computer by ten or so.

Never feel guilty for unplugging your phone by the way - if that's the only way you can get a relaxing, long sleep then do it. Your friends should understand!


Ok, now I am going to write about something really personal - feel free to hide behind the sofa, or wherever!

I have found that my psoriasis has been a problem for boyfriends over the years. Back in my student days, one particular charmer basically put his jacket on and left as soon as he saw it. This upset me a lot, and I think the resultant stress probably
made my skin even worse.

I have often thought - how would I react if a guy I liked turned out to have some disfiguring skin condition? Would I ignore it, and be supportive? Or... would it put me off him?

My current boyfriend (bless him!) says he doesn't even notice it. Well, he is stretching the truth a bit there I think. When he first saw it, he was not repulsed at all, he was fascinated, and asked loads of questions about it.

He is always very proud when the patches aren't that bad, as I have trained him to believe that if he is nice to me then my skin will get better!!!! It's not a complete lie - in fact, it's kind of true.

I can't suggest to you to 'get a supportive partner', but I can urge anybody out there who has a partner with psoriasis, or any stress related complaint, to be as patient and kind as you can. It's worth it!



Good luck people with your flaky bits - let's hope for more sunshine!

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