New here. Had this 2 long

[Just-Chris]

Hey y'all! 
Been reading the up lifting post, and y'all are very supporting! I am having a very tough time atm. (Don't mean to bring anyone down) I lost my job with insurance and having a hard time with the pain. Really don't know what to do now. It's only 40% and growing. My legs look like a burn victim and my stomach is getting there. This isn't my first time by no means, but the most painful for sure. I have never been to the ER on my own free will. Should I consider it? I hate when people treat me, like I am a lost cause.

I have much respect for all who deal with this

-Chris

[Caroline]

Hello Just-Chris,

Welcome to Psoriasisclub.

Just to be a bit direct, that is a bad situation you are describing. Difficult for me and the others I think, to come up with some hints.
The ER? Well I think they will give you some painkillers and inflammation inhibitors. That might help with the pain but will not solve the Psoriasis, so it is only a short time solution but might give you extra time to rethink your options.

I guess no job, no insurance, means that you have very little money to spend. Don’t know if you are alone or have the help of friends and relatives. Did you talk it through with them? Big chance that the stress you are into now, is a strong trigger for the Psoriasis.
You know there are good working treatments for Psoriasis but also expensive. The normal way to get them is through your dermatologist and go into some program for a specific biological.
The cheaper treatments might be the natural ones, like a specific diet that some of us (Alan) are following which he describes in How I Cured My Psoriasis By Diet.
Or the systemic ones but that is difficult to get on your side of the pond.
To reduce your stress you might do some meditation, it seems soft but it is known that meditation has an influence on your mind and thus on your body.

I know some others will kick in with some ideas, maybe there is something in them you can use. Are you already using a moisturiser like virgin coconut oil?

In the mean time, stroll around the forum for yourself, you might find some ideas to work with. And mostly there is someone around to listen to you.

Cheers,
Caroline

[Turnedlight]

Hi, nice to meet you and sorry to hear you’re having a rough time. Hopefully there is some way you can access a doctor even without cover?
I can’t advise on going to the ER or not - unless they can maybe get you further help?
But if you get symptoms like flu where you feel shivery and want to wrap up warm, but your skin is actually burning hot, I probably would go to the ER. Apparently the more skin that is compromised, the less good it is at doing it’s job, regulating body temp.
Hope you get some help soon..

[jiml]

Hi Chris and a big   to the forum, here you will find you are not alone but are with fellow sufferers that know how bad it can get......saying that I see from your profile you were on Humira, which I'm assuming stopped suddenly when you lost insurance cover. This is probably why it has flared so badly .have you tried to contact the makers of Humira to see if they have a programme which is covered by the healthcare programme in your part of America. ...I understand that there is a Patient assistance and Copay saving card for eligeable patients for as little as $5, so I suggest you contact Humira's website for more information about how it works ...and see if you are eligible or if they can help another way
In the meantime enjoy the site here and as a Caroline has said reducing stress if possible is a good idea and a good way to do that is looking around the off topic section here and joining in some of the threads if you wish

If you can't get back on Humira tell your doctor how it's affecting your quality of life and see if they can prescribe anything different there are systemics like Methotrexate or acetretin that are cheaper than Humira that might help you

Good luck and do stay in touch and let us know your progress
Jim

[Just-Chris]

Thank you all for the advice and most of all support! I did have injections for 2 years and was 100% cleared.  That was with 90% plaque covering my body. It's coming back faster and more painful now. I do start a new job tomorrow, but they offer no insurance. (Starting to think I'm no ment to have it lol) But reading y'alls advice and methods will help relieve alot of it. Thanks again and if I find something that works great for me I'll definitely share with all.

[jiml]

Good luck with the new job, perhaps you can find a way through the American healthcare maze and get some help soon
Look forward to hearing how you get on
Jim

[artemie]

Good luck Just-Chris!

If getting on a cheap programme won't work for you, there are some threads here that describe alternatives like a strict (really strict) diet and it works for some. See My psoriasis cleanse and diet log and How I Cured My Psoriasis By Diet

[Fred]

Hello Chris   to Psoriasis Club.

Don't worry about bringing anyone down, we are in the same boat and know what you are going through. Some of us enjoy helping and offering supprt to others, so don't worry you won't bring us down.  

I don't understand your health system but this thread may help: Insurance Info for the U.S.

Also it may be worth checking with some of the other Bio makers as some offer help. You can find out about the other bios here Biological Treatments For Psoriasis If you go through each one you will find links to their websites so it may be worth checking. *The links are dead as we have a No Link policy so you will need to copy and paste them in your browser., but they are there because they are important links.

I hope you get something sorted, and good luck with the new job.

We're always here.

Regards.

Fred.

[D Foster]

Hi Chris and welcome to the club,sorry to hear that you are having all your problems. I don't know your system in USA but the advice regarding contacting the manufacturer is definitely worth a try. When I was really bad and trying to get some relief I used copious amounts of good quality coconut oil which helped a lot. I just hope that you can something sorted ,its a bloody awful problem to have.

[Bill]

Hi J-C,

Sorry to read of your plight. I side with the idea of trying to access a biological treatment however you can as your disease seems far too severe for topicals. I have managed an extensive disease very well with dimethyl fumarate, but I think a dermatologist is your best chance.

Good luck.