reccomended treatments

[kev-n]

well as the title really looking at what works for other people, i'm a 45 yr old male and suffred with psoriasis for quite a few years now, currently got patches on my face, scalp, behind my ears, 2 large patches on my knees, bottom of my belly. most of it is plaque psoriasis apart from my scalp, the problem i find is whatever i use only works for about a week, then i need to change.
i've now also got patches appearing under my nails.

i was using neutragena thereaputic shampoo which worked for a while even cleared the patches on my knees for 3 or 4 years until the patches came back recently and now nothing seems to work. i changed shampoo recently to capsal theraputic shampoo this seemed to work again for about a week, now it's making no difference.

i've also tried exorex treatment, worked wonders for me before now just dries my skin out (even with moisteriser) several different 'dermo' shower gels, i'm now using a pure coconut oil gel, i've also tried e45, several over the counter creams from the chemist, cider apple vinegar both drinking diluted or applying to the legions with no effect. currently the itching is getting really bad i just want to scratch myself to bits.

tried going to my local doctor on several occasions (they are quite useless around here) first one said it was ringworm and gave me a cream, within 24 hours i was back at the doctors because the cream he prescribed made the psoriasis spread like wild fire. he then said he would send a skin sample off to be tested and i never heard another word. last doctor i saw told me to change my diet and cut out all sweet food, anything with caffine in and all red meat.

so i'm now at the point to try suggestions of best next course of action.

[jiml]

Hi again I have welcomed you on your introduction thread. I think it's time you got your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist
Your doctor sounds totaly useless and should be giving you better care than he is .. My suggestion is demand to see a specialist ... You will not cure your psoriasis..... but you should be able to control it there are a lot of treatments for this disease but while you talk to your GP you will just get potions and lotions
A specialist will see you regularly and you can talk to him/ her about your options ... Read on here what others are using and take the knowledge with you so you won't be fobbed off .
Ask questions here if you are in doubt someone will give you an answer
But tonight it won't be me because I have to be up early tomorrow
Come back often and don't be shy ask away we are all friendly and always ready to chat
Jim

[jiml]

As you are asking for recommended treatments I would always say Fumaderm I think it's the least toxic of the alternative treatments available... But then I'm biased . But I will say it has given me the best three years of my life stress wise . I have never been as clear as I am now in all my adult life
I have done all the creams ( they just treat the skin they don't tackle the problem )
I have done Uv treatment great for short term relief
I have been on methotrexate and hated it although it cleared my skin the side effects were awful
I am now on Fumaderm ... Best thing since sliced bread
These are just my opinions because what works for one may well not work for another
Jim

[Fred]

First off there is No recommended treatment. What works for some may not work for others, and if you are going to be treated under the NHS there is a protocol you will have to follow. This usually means starting with creams, then light treatment, followed by pills, and finally Bio injections.

Second like Jim said Demand an appointment with a dermatologist, you have the right to do this and the sooner you do the sooner they can find something that will help. Your GPs are talking utter rubbish and are incompetent, so whilst your at it get yourself s new GP too, it will be worth travelling to the next town to find a good one.

Third read through these articles, print them off and take with you to you new GP when asking for a referel to a dermatologist and tell him/her you have been let down.

NICE Quality Standards for Psoriasis
NICE issues new guidance for GPs treating psoriasis

Over the counter products are not going to help for long, and neither is a GP even a good one.

You need a dermatologist to be able to start on the protocol, there is no fast track, and the sooner you start the better.

[Caroline]

Hi Kev,

On the protocol that Fred is mentioning.

Quote:

---

This usually means starting with creams, then light treatment, followed by pills, and finally Bio injections.

Lots of patients go through the same cycle, but as far as I can overview of the results on the forum, creams and light will only work for a while, because they don't tackle the problem of psoriasis, being a immune disease, at the right point. They only tackle the results.

So the next step is pills. They normally want to give you methotrexate, cyclosporine or Acetretin. That is common.
There are two views over here on the forum.
A pro and an anti methotrexate group. I am on the latter because of my bad experiences with MTX. In the netherlands the protocol has already changed and over here it says that one can best start with dimethylfumarates. (Fumaderm)
Exactly what Jim says.

Read on over the forum, there is a lot more info.

Cheers,
Caroline

[kev-n]

thanks for the replys all very imformative, i've known my doctors are useless for a while (you have to book 3 weeks in advance to get an appoitment) but i will go and see them again. they are very reluctant to do anything and blame nhs cuts they even resort to changing medications for cheaper alternatives.

[D Foster]

thanks for the replys all very imformative, i've known my doctors are useless for a while (you have to book 3 weeks in advance to get an appoitment) but i will go and see them again. they are very reluctant to do anything and blame nhs cuts they even resort to changing medications for cheaper alternatives.

Hi Kev, do not take NO for an answer ,insist that they refer you to a dermatologist ,it's a fact that to get anything done you have to shout and make waves. You should not have to do this at all but it's a sad fact that he who shouts loudest gets results,it's your right to a proper service and if the doctor starts saying about cost just tell him that it is his problem. Tell them you will take it further if they stall ,you may be better off with a different doctor.

[Kato]

Hi Kev and

I'm new here too, but super glad I joined as there is such a wealth of information available here, plus everyone is lovely

I would have to second what others have said, Fumaric Acid Esters have worked really well for me.

GPs can be difficult, and even the consultant I was seeing for my first five years of prsoriasis was pretty useless about the whole thing...he prescribed steroid creams and two courses of UVB but when it came back almost immediately his only advice was to take two long hot holidays a year (if only I was on his salary or that could be prescribed under the NHS eh?!).

Now a year later, I have found an excellent consultant who wants to actually tackle the problem. Its great to be involved in the decision making process...its your body after all!

I would maybe try to see a different GP, get a second opinion and really emphasise how much your life is being affected by the psoriasis. They do usually send you down a standard route of creams, then some kind of light treatment before you get to the pill stage but at least you know you're on the right track and who knows, maybe light treatment might work for you!

Really good luck, I hope you make some progress soon :-)

Kath

[Kat]

Hi Kev, not much I can add to what's already been said. I've found shampoos that help briefly, but it's a temporary fix and by temporary I mean you get a little relief before the itching starts right back up again (or that's how it was for me). I would feel a bit better for an hour or so but then it was back to square one.

I took Acitretin and UV treatments until mostly cleared. Now, I'm using topicals and crossing fingers to be honest. Basically I'm now trying to stay on top of the symptoms (with doctor approval) but we'll see how it all goes. I think this is the right way for me to go as I want to do the minimum needed for me that is necessary to live with this, but I won't hesitate to get back on meds if and when needed. We are all different so different treatments and different hoops to jump through to get those treatments.

I'm not familiar with your healthcare (being in the US) but agree with others, demand to be seen by someone who can make a difference!

Best of luck!