Introduction-Hello KazzaG

[KazzaG]

Hi
my name is Karen, I live in Brisbane, Australia and I am originally from the United Kingdom. I am a single mum of four and I work full time as a truck driver for a large postal company.
My Psoriasis first appeared when I was about ten and I believe was triggered by my dad getting a promotion, us moving house and having to start straight into a new high school. First sign was on my scalp, over the years it has spread around my body and now at the grand old age of fifty two I have Psoriasis  pretty much everywhere in varying degrees.
I find stress aggravates it, certain foods, alcohol and the cold weather. 
I haven't met anyone else locally who suffers from Psoriasis so I am hoping to participate and learn from others on this site,
thanks
 Karen

[Fred]

Hello Karen to Psoriasis Club.

Have you seen a dermatologist ?

You will find a good mix of friendly people here so just dive on in.

Regards.

Fred. (Ex Truck Driver)

[Caroline]

Hi Karen,

Welcome to psoriasisclub !

Mother of four.... , I admire you !

Well at least you found us, there are more from down under here on the forum, so you are not alone concerning that location.
Basically you joined an international group of Psoriasis sufferers all in varying degrees. There is a lot of experience and expertise from the member which covers virtually almost every treatment.

Because of the necessary de-stressing, which is supported strongly on the forum, these is a large Off-Topic section where we have a Bar and where’s a lot of banter to make a bit of joy in our lives. I must warn you there are hardly any sensible people in the off topic sections.

Enjoy yourself on the forum, there is always someone who will react on your posts.

Cheers,
Caroline.

[KazzaG]

Hi
Thanks for the welcome.
I saw a dermatologist years ago,have tried shampoos,creams and light therapy-which was quite helpful.
I have found changing my diet and losing some weight has helped,would love to be less stressed! Am looking forward to the off topic,thanks for the direction Caroline. I love a gritty non-sensible conversation?
K

[Fred]

I saw a dermatologist years ago,have tried shampoos,creams and light therapy-which was quite helpful.

Could be worth trying again, things have changed a lot in the recent years.

Am looking forward to the off topic,thanks for the direction Caroline. I love a gritty non-sensible conversation?

Plenty of that in there, apart from my posts which are the only sensible ones.

[jiml]

Hi Karen good to see you have found us, you have found probably the best source of genuine information on psoriasis on the internet . The club is run by sufferers for sufferers and everything you read on here will be a genuine experience. there is a large section on available treatments Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis so trawl through that and see what's available .but as others have said times have changed and there are some excellent treatments available and the only way to access them is to see a dermatologist.
Hope to meet you soon in the bar   for a chat
Jim

[D Foster]

Hi Karen and welcome to the club. I would reiterate what has been said that it's important to see a dermatologist because there has been great progress in the treatment of P in the last few years . Have a good look around as this site has the largest comprehensive information on the P than anywhere else I know. Totally independent ,no advertising no con merchants trying to sell you rubbish that doesn't work. Jump in and ask any questions, most of the inmates are barmy but some of us are sensible.

[jiml]

Ooooh Karen I forgot to mention as I usually do everytime someone joins is to see if you would like to subscribe to our free monthly newsletter where you can see new members posts and questions and news of new treatments plus some items from the off topic section
If you did want to just click Groups and then click on join group

[Bill]

Hi Karen,

I can only concur with the info given here. An appointment with a dermatologist is necessary first step to accessing effective treatment for your psoriasis. A healthy diet and trigger avoidance are very useful, but for me they are a distant second to the systemic treatment I use to manage my disease. I guess it is no different to the approach you would take with diseases like hypertension or diabetes.

Fred has set up an excellent site. There are plenty of people here who are more than willing to share experience and help if they can.

Cheers

[JohnB]

Welcome to the Club Karen 
Not much more I can add that hadn't hasn't been said already. You will find us a friendly bunch and each has a story to tell, so if you aren't sure about anything just ask away, we don't bite (although we do have to muzzle Grizzly occasionally   ) and there is no such thing as a silly or dumb question someone will always attempt to answer but bear in mind non of us are doctors and can only share or experience. 
JohnB