Hello everyone,

I was just randomly reading about tips to help me with my psoriasis journey, and i am very glad to have come across this forum, so this is me introducing myself. Prepare yourself for it will be quite a long one!

I am 21 years old, living in the United Arab Emirates and recently graduated from uni, and I have had psoriasis for about 6 years, and psoriatic arthritis for around 5 years. It started with red itchy patches on my head, and then overtime i started noticing pains and swelling on both feet (around the ankles) and toes, and then the pain spread to my lower back up to the point of not being able to get out of bed without screaming in pain. It was at that point that my doctor decided to start me on steroidal meds (methotrexate), and thankfully over the years that took care of my back pains, and somewhat reduced my feet pains, although i do get the occasional swelling and throbbing pains whenever Mr. P decides to flare up.

Today, the main patches are on my scalp (around 50%), in the genital area, I have severe nail pitting, and my feet joints are pretty much always in pain.

Im currently using a cream called daivobet for the scalp, and protopic for the genital area, while still on a weekly dose of methotrexate for the PA.

I have been trying for years to figure out a pattern or the reason why sometimes psoriasis decides to hit harder than others, but to be honest i have not been trying hard enough. I apply the creams mentioned above whenever the flaring becomes really bad, but i dont feel too comfortable using them on a regular basis, because im afraid of side effects (especially in some areas more than others!).

I try to keep an active life (sports-wise) although it is sometimes difficult with the feet pain, but I found that swimming is pretty great and it helps with the joint pains.
I still want to and need to change my lifestyle and find ways to control and reduce the effects of psoriasis.

And this is why I'm really glad I found this forum, because not many people know about psoriasis around here.

Im sorry for such a lengthy intro; just thought I should share everything about my psoriasis situation in case someone can relate, and i would very much appreciate any advice any one has, and I hope I can benefit you guys aswell!

Yaseen

Hi Yaseen and to the forum, that was a very comprehensive introduction, and you are certainly in the right place for good advice.
Here you will find a very friendly bunch of people from around the world that pool their knowledge and experiences with psoriasis, I am in remission with my psoriasis at the moment, and have not suffered PSA as you are, but there will be people who are controlling it and I am sure it won't be long before you get some help here.
Enjoy your time with us and come back often and even if like me you get yourself clear keep coming back to the club and updating us

Hello and welcome! There is a lot information on this that will be helpful with psoriasis and PsA. I read that you are having trouble with scalp psoriasis. Talk to your doctor about adding T-Gel Shampoo.

Methetrexate (MTX) isn't the world's best choice for PsA. It may bring system relief to hands and feet, but does not prevent or slow down joint destruction. Also, it doesn't help back issues. There are other drugs such as biologics that are more successful at treating PsA, but they are very expensive.

I find that walking and keeping reasonable active helps with joint pain. I also use hot and cold packs (heating pad and ice packs) for my back.

Well anyway, good luck and enjoy the information on this site.

Hello Yaseen to Psoriasis Club

(Wed-11-06-2014, 00:08 AM)Yaseenaltajer Wrote: I was just randomly reading about tips to help me with my psoriasis journey, and i am very glad to have come across this forum.

Good to see you have found us, we are a small but very friendly group.

(Wed-11-06-2014, 00:08 AM)Yaseenaltajer Wrote: the pain spread to my lower back up to the point of not being able to get out of bed without screaming in pain.

I know that feeling mate, so you're not alone.

(Wed-11-06-2014, 00:08 AM)Yaseenaltajer Wrote: It was at that point that my doctor decided to start me on steroidal meds (methotrexate),

I'm not a fan of Methotrexate myself, and I'm with Mataribot it's not the best for psoriatic arthritis, though some are happy with it.

(Wed-11-06-2014, 00:08 AM)Yaseenaltajer Wrote: I have been trying for years to figure out a pattern or the reason why sometimes psoriasis decides to hit harder than others.

You will always be doing this, and it's next to impossible to figure out what causes a flare-up. But if you can learn to cope with any stress, worry, anxiety, etc, it will help immensely.

(Wed-11-06-2014, 00:08 AM)Yaseenaltajer Wrote: But i dont feel too comfortable using them on a regular basis, because im afraid of side effects (especially in some areas more than others!).

Yes you should be careful with Dovobet (Daivobet) and never use it on the genital area, try something more mild like Silkis or for a great natural moisturiser use Coconut Oil especialy the genitals.

(Wed-11-06-2014, 00:08 AM)Yaseenaltajer Wrote: I still want to and need to change my lifestyle and find ways to control and reduce the effects of psoriasis.

You may find something of interest in Natural Treatments For Psoriasis

(Wed-11-06-2014, 00:08 AM)Yaseenaltajer Wrote: Not many people know about
Im sorry for such a lengthy intro; just thought I should share everything about my psoriasis situation in case someone can relate, and i would very much appreciate any advice any one has, and I hope I can benefit you guys aswell!

No it was a great intro, and don't hesitate to join in, your input could help others.

Regards.

Fred.

Hello Yaseen,

Welcome to the forum.
If you read further on you will find that MTX does really Nothing against your PsA, research has proven that already, in my opinion you should get off it as fast as you can.

O, by the way, I am Caroline, from the Netherlands.

There are better ways to go for if you have PsA. And than I mean the biologicals or the fumarates.

Cheers and have fun on this forum, we are all just people from all around the world having equal problems.

Caroline

(Wed-11-06-2014, 07:30 AM)jiml Wrote: Hi Yaseen and to the forum, that was a very comprehensive introduction, and you are certainly in the right place for good advice.
Here you will find a very friendly bunch of people from around the world that pool their knowledge and experiences with psoriasis, I am in remission with my psoriasis at the moment, and have not suffered PSA as you are, but there will be people who are controlling it and I am sure it won't be long before you get some help here.
Enjoy your time with us and come back often and even if like me you get yourself clear keep coming back to the club and updating us

Hello jiml, thanks for the welcome! It's great to know you are in remission and I hope you never have to experience the psoriasis symptoms again!

(Wed-11-06-2014, 13:23 PM)mataribot Wrote: Hello and welcome! There is a lot information on this that will be helpful with psoriasis and PsA. I read that you are having trouble with scalp psoriasis. Talk to your doctor about adding T-Gel Shampoo.

Methetrexate (MTX) isn't the world's best choice for PsA. It may bring system relief to hands and feet, but does not prevent or slow down joint destruction. Also, it doesn't help back issues. There are other drugs such as biologics that are more successful at treating PsA, but they are very expensive.

I find that walking and keeping reasonable active helps with joint pain. I also use hot and cold packs (heating pad and ice packs) for my back.

Well anyway, good luck and enjoy the information on this site.

Hey Mataribot, well I am actually surprised about methotrexate not being the best. I have done some research and I generally know that methotrexate suppresses your immune system when it is too active. However you do have a point, if it just merely locally relieves an area, but doesn't prevent joint destruction, there really isn't much point to it. I will keep looking into it.

I have heard about biologics, however in addition to being very expensive as you said, I have heard learnt they might have some serious side effects regarding your immunity, and there is a chance you could be much more prone to diseases.

Thanks for letting me know what you use for your pains, I will sure try them and let you know!

(Wed-11-06-2014, 20:13 PM)Fred Wrote: Hello Yaseen to Psoriasis Club

Good to see you have found us, we are a small but very friendly group.

I know that feeling mate, so you're not alone.

I'm not a fan of Methotrexate myself, and I'm with Mataribot it's not the best for psoriatic arthritis, though some are happy with it.

You will always be doing this, and it's next to impossible to figure out what causes a flare-up. But if you can learn to cope with any stress, worry, anxiety, etc, it will help immensely.

Yes you should be careful with Dovobet (Daivobet) and never use it on the genital area, try something more mild like Silkis or for a great natural moisturiser use Coconut Oil especialy the genitals.

You may find something of interest in Natural Treatments For Psoriasis

No it was a great intro, and don't hesitate to join in, your input could help others.

Regards.

Fred.

(Wed-11-06-2014, 21:29 PM)Caroline Wrote: Hello Yaseen,

Welcome to the forum.
If you read further on you will find that MTX does really Nothing against your PsA, research has proven that already, in my opinion you should get off it as fast as you can.

O, by the way, I am Caroline, from the Netherlands.

There are better ways to go for if you have PsA. And than I mean the biologicals or the fumarates.

Cheers and have fun on this forum, we are all just people from all around the world having equal problems.

Caroline

Hello Fred and Caroline from the Netherlands!

Well, it seems from what everyone is saying that I should stop using Methotrexate and move on to another solution. I actually think this is a good idea. Caroline, do you mind linking me where you read that Methotrexate doesn't help PsA, whenever you have the time, so that I show it to my doctor? Thank you!

Hi Yaseen good to see you back and thanks for your replies, yes for me it's great to be in remission, but I am always on guard watching for the return.......
My treatment is absolutely brilliant it is similar to Caroline's, and Bill an Australia uses the raw DMF. ( I would suggest only for the very brave) but the success rate is very high with limited side effects, must have your bloods monitored monthly.

I have used methotrexate for a while and I found in tablet form it was very unpleasant and was moved to my current treatment
Regarding methotrexate there is a lot written on here about its use and if you put methotrexate in the search programme it will highlight a lot of posts
This is one you may find interesting
Methotrexate no better than Placebo for Psoriatic Arhtritis

Hi Yaseen,

If you feel the need to educate your doctor with material from this forum then could I suggest you look for another one? Please dont mis-understand me: The forum is excellent and current, but isn't that what you want from your specialist? I had no interest in trying methotrexate and after reading this forum I gave dimethyl fumarate a go, although I would strongly recommend the conventional approach of Jim and Caroline over my diy approach.

Remember, there are heaps of better treatments than methotrexate for psoriasis these days. A capable medico will probably make a world of difference for you.

Cheers,

Bill