The Season's Greetings from a newbie

[THE GRAND WIZARD]

Hi everybody,

I have just discovered the Psoriasis Club and would like to wish all members a very Happy New Year. I hope you all had a good Christmas and have now recovered!!!!

Best wishes

[Fred]

Hello we've never had a Wizard before to Psoriasis Club.

I don't do xmas myself but I'm well into New Years and always look forward to getting the old one out of the way and starting a fresh, but thank you for the wishes.

Just dive on in you will find us a friendly bunch, and shout out if you need any help finding your way around.

Regards.

Fred.

[Kat]

Welcome! We had a nice family Christmas here and Happy New Year to you as well.

Glad you found your way here, it's a nice friendly group of people and a very informative site.

[jiml]

Yes Hi Wizard... I had better be careful what I say or a spell could decend on me .... But    to the club as Fred has already said you are always welcome.. I see from your profile you have given up on methotrexate ... Can I ask why.... I know my experience of it was not good,
Also what treatment have you replaced it with?

I wish you good health for the coming year and say I hope you enjoy your time with us . We are a very active club and always pleased to see and hear from new members we have much information for you to sift through here .. When you finish with the health boards you should join us in off topic
Jim.    

[D Foster]

Welcome Wizard , I have only been on the site myself for a short time but everyone on here are great (a bit potty if the truth is known) .I was on MTX for 9 years the last three by injection and I hate the stuff.

[glenda grant]

Hi everybody,

I have just discovered the Psoriasis Club and would like to wish all members a very Happy New Year. I hope you all had a good Christmas and have now recovered!!!!

Best wishes

Season's Greetings to you and yours.I am looking for a better year in 2015.Health Happiness to all in our Group!!!!

[Caroline]

Hello Wizard,

Welcome to the club.
Sensible to discontinue MTX. Can you tell more about that decision? And on what are your plans now?

In the mean time enjoy on the forum.

Caroline

[THE GRAND WIZARD]

Hello All,

Thank you so much for your warm welcome.

I am now 55yrs young and my psoriasis knocked on the door when I was 15, appearing on the scalp. In my ignorance I assumed it was just a nasty case of dandruff. Sadly, my doctor at the time didn't seem all that interested (ring any bells?) and I remained undiagnosed until I was 18, when I trotted off to university. It was the doctor there that asked me about the medication I was using for my scalp and was horrified when I told him I simply used Head and Shoulders!

He gave me Synalar Gel for my head and Betnovate(N) for my body. The results were amazing but of course my body eventually retaliated and I was put on Dermovate before ending up on Dithranol in Lassar's paste via the usual tortuous medication waypoints. Then came along Dovonex and Zorac; the former proving far more efficacious with fewer side effects. I was successfully managing my condition for years with the calcipotriol until I developed psoriatic arthritis and was placed on Methotrexate. The usual side effects, especially nausea. The folic acid didn't seem to help me but I persevered. Two years later my blood results were abnormal and my dosage was reduced which seemed to help because the following tests ( 3 at monthly intervals) were normal. Unfortunately, 6 months later my blood test was significantly abnormal and I also developed a lung infection. It was at this point that my consultant decided to discontinue the Methotrexate.

For me at least, this DMARD did more harm than good. I now restrict my calorie intake to 1200-1400 per day (not easy!) and have completely shunned all processed foods , meat, refined sugar and alcohol. I only consume whole foods consisting mainly of fruit and veg, nuts, legumes, eggs, rice and a moderate intake of milk. Although I still have aches and pains and my fingers/toes can feel quite rigid in the morning, the dactylitis has gone. My psoriasis has waned to the point that it is now only on my lower right leg. I have absolutely no scientific evidence to prove my case so please don't do anything without consulting your GP or consultant; my "diet" is not a recommendation or a pitch of any kind.

The Grand Wizard

[Kat]

I wish I had your dedication to try to restrict my diet. I'm glad it's working for you!

[THE GRAND WIZARD]

Hi Kat,

Thanx. I must confess that it isn't easy, what keeps me motivated are the tangible improvements I have experienced.

My wife has been very supportive but misses her "hunk"    I was quite stocky and muscular and "looked the part". Alas, I have gone from 14.5 stone (comfortably within my BMI) to a paltry 9.5 stone. The muscle has gone and I feel like an adolescent at times but it is much better than being on the Methotrexate. I did have to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes though!

The Grand Wizard