Just been diagnosed with psoriasis

Posted Fri 6 Nov 2020 23.23 by Eleanor

Hi I have only just been diagnosed with psorasis and it seems to be getting worse. Although I have only just started medication I got from the doctor, so hoping it will improve. I am just wondering if there’s any particular diet/ lifestyle choices that can help with it. Or is it just a myth. Thanks

Posted Sun 8 Nov 2020 17.26 by Jan

Hi I have just finally been diagnosed with psoriasis after having large and small red areas for 2 years, I was told what it was by my GP and was not given any other information!! I have been given some steroid based cream which makes them fade and within days they return in the same place,does this happen to anyone else? Thank you

Posted Tue 10 Nov 2020 05.18 by LesterLonglegs

Hi Jan, Have just joined the forum in my quest to find out more about psoraisis! I'm in the same position as you....after two years of various treatments and countless over the counter creams, I have now seen a specialist and been diagnosed with psoraisis. Steroid cream only helps for a short time, and it always comes back. Not sure where else to go with ìt now!!!

Posted Tue 10 Nov 2020 10.48 by Steview
A P sufferer for over 30 years, through good and bad times.

Hi to the three previous posters, sorry to hear your diagnosis but medication has come on so much in recent years so hopefully you find something that works for you. There is a lot of information available to P patients now including this website. Of course we all differ in severity of P, many can manage with mild creams whilst others move on to other treatments. It sounds like you are on the early stages of treatment i. e creams and ointments which there are numerous at various strengths. If the mild creams prescribed by your GP don't work then best to get a referral to a Derm specialist who can prescribe other treatments. Treatments usually follow the following steps depending how successful each treatment is. 1. Mild creams/ointment Strong cream/ointment 2. Oral meds UV treatment 3. Biologic treatment Or a combination of the above. There are things you can try for yourself to aid your treatment. There are posts on here that include modifying diet, alcohol consumption and fitness. Good luck all, take care.

Posted Tue 10 Nov 2020 13.08 by LesterLonglegs

Thanks, Steview, for taking the time to reply and for the encouragement. I hope that things do improve.

Posted Tue 10 Nov 2020 17.52 by Tim

Hi Eleanor, I’ve had plaque psoriasis for over twenty years now, the one thing for me to avoid is anything hot,bath,shower or just sitting in the sun, this for me is a trigger for my condition to get inflamed, I wear shorts as much as I can to keep the psoriasis on my legs cool, this is a just to maintain relief ,it’s not a permanent thing, but it helps enormously .

Posted Sat 14 Nov 2020 21.20 by AJ

Hi everyone, I have recently been diagnosed with erythrodermic psoriasis. I first have symptoms at the end of July this year 2020. The symptoms started with scaly red spots on the back of my neck and scalp. Over the space of four to six weeks my whole body from head to toe was covered in extremely dry scaly peeling red skin. I was referred to a dermatologist who as soon as seeing me admitted me into hospital. I stayed for three nights while they did various tests including a biopsy. The conclusion after all the tests where I have erythrodermic psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis. I have weekly visits with a dermatologist in hospital. I have now been put on methotrexate for the following six weeks as the topical creams will not help as I have been told by the dermatologist. I have never had skin conditions before and this sudden flare up has hit me as a major surprise and shock. Has anyone had psoriasis so severe whereby more than 90 per cent of the body was covered and does methotrexate work and if so how long have they been on methotrexate. Regards AJ

Posted Sat 14 Nov 2020 23.05 by LesterLonglegs

Hi AJ, Sounds as if you're having a very tricky time with your symptoms, and the adjustment of getting your head round it all! Compared to others, I'm pretty lucky...my patches are largely confined to palms of hands, ear canals and elbows. I know how much this affects me and I can totally sympathise with others. All the best with your treatment. Gill

Posted Sun 15 Nov 2020 22.37 by Steview
A P sufferer for over 30 years, through good and bad times.

AJ, sorry to hear your suffering and how the P and PsA has taken hold very quickly. I can't say I have had erythrodermic psoriasis but my last major flare was over ten years ago. My consultant at the time prescribed Cyclosporine then added Mtx tablets. I came off Cyclo after a few months but continued successfully on Mtx until last year. Everyone will react differently to meds but Cyclo was fast acting and stand alone Mtx worked well to give probably 90% clearence. All the meds will have side effects and of course you will have to have regular bloods taken. Mtx injections have less side effects than tablets, which have you been prescribed? Also Mtx can be used for treating both P and PsA. Probably like you feel at present I was in a dark place then but the treatment gave me my quality of life back. I hope things improve for you. Good luck.

Posted Tue 17 Nov 2020 15.50 by AJ

Hi Steview and Gill. Thank you for your responses. I have been prescribed methotrexate tablets by the dermatologist I have been seeing as my psoriasis is covering 90 per cent plus of my body and they have tried topical creams but the conclusion was the severity of my condition will not be controlled by topical creams. I am also seeing a rheumatologist specialist about the pains in my joints, lower back and chest and have MRI scans booked. My mobility is severely restricted and my sleep has been disturbed I have not slept through a whole night in over two months due to the itching of my skin and pains in my joints, chest and lower back. I am hoping the methotrexate works as I have read fact sheets about erythrodermic psoriasis, if treatment doesn't work it can be fatal as it starts to effect the cardiovascular system. Also the skins has lost its protective layer which regulates the body temperature which means I'm likely to get pneumonia or an infection such as scepticism which can be fatal. But all I can do is remain positive and hope the treatment bares fruit. AJ

Posted Wed 18 Nov 2020 12.36 by Agent X

I have had psoriasis for a very long time. There is no cure or no magic, unfortunately. I have used creams lotions sprays tablets UV coal tar and everything else. Things work to a varying degree for a while, but when you stop it comes back. It's a hard fact for newly diagnosed suffer to take on board.......`There is no cure`. My best advice, moisturize , moisturize, and moisturize. Keep your skin supple. Keep up with whatever the Doc has given you, get on top of it, and just keep going. I had about 70% body coverage and it was horrible. After 11 years of struggling and fighting with Doctors, I finally got on to Biological. It helped a lot, but I am still not clear and always get random flare-ups. Remember.......JUST KEEP GOING

Posted Tue 15 Dec 2020 13.37 by Denise B

Hi AJ I feel your pain. I was on methotrexate injections. They kept my psoriasis under control for several years. I had cold sores on a regular basis and my tongue was always disgusting and it did have an effect on my tastebuds. However it did keep my psoriasis under control. Make sure you moisturise regularly. I use a 500g tub on a weekly basis. Like you I’m covered good 80-90% of my body. Good luck

Posted Tue 29 Dec 2020 09.21 by Lel

Diet is key. Please go to you tube and look this up. So much information out there on this. A daily routine of self care is key. Bathing. Creaming etc The skin is the largest organ and needs to be looked after. Stress relief. Meditate. Relax Vitamins. Probiotics. I hope this helps.

Posted Tue 29 Dec 2020 13.06 by AJ

Hi Everyone, Hope you all are doing well. Just to give an update I've been on methotrexate tablet form for the past 6 weeks with weekly blood tests taken. My psoriasis has improved massively. My skin has improved a lot, it is no longer flaking and the redness has cleared up for the majority. My Psoriatic arthritis has also improved with my swelling in the joints have reduced too. I had a check up with my dermatologist and have been prescribed another 8 week's worth of methotrexate. I have had no side effects to the methotrexate apart from the occasional diarrhoea. I originally started on 5mg and moved up in increments of 2.5mg till I hit 12.5mg and now I am on 12.5mg dosage of methotrexate. I also use dermol as a soap substitute when showering and I also use 50/50 liquid paraffin as my moisturiser. I used to moisturise 4 to 5 times a day but now only require moisturising twice a day as my skin feels a lot more hyderated as it has begun to recover. The cause of my flare up was due to stress as I had a lot going on in the past two years with my divorce and mum being terminally ill, now I have started to deal with the loss of my mum and moved on from the divorce and feel more relaxed my psoriasis is now under control. I thought I'd give everyone an update on what has worked for me. Hope everyone has a wonderful new year Kind Regards AJ

To take part, sign in or register with us