Just dropping by to say hi

[Liezel johns]

Hi all

My name is liezel, i live in cape town, South Africa.I have just been diagnosed with psoriasis. Honestly I don't even know what kind I have. The dermatologist I'm seeing is treating me with creams that i honestly feel is not working. I'm mostly covered in hot red spots on my legs and thighs.. I'm currently suffering from intense burning that is non stop. I'm feeling extremely overwhelmed at the moment as there is a world of information out there and I honestly don't know where to begin. 
But thank you for all the posts I read it helps a lot. I don't think people know how this disease affects you emotionally. 
Being a mom and having to cope with this while still being productive at work and a great mom is hard. 
I'm hoping that you guys can give me some tips on how to cope.

Thanks 
Liezel

[Fred]

Hello Liezel   to Psoriasis Club.

It is a bit of a shock when you get that diagnoses, but at least you have found us and you are not alone.  

Psoriasis can be managed but it takes time to find the treatment that works for you. I don't know how your health system works, but it is usual to start with creams and then move on to either light or oral treatments.

Have a good look around the forum and shout out if you want some advice, we are all just people living with psoriasis so you know you will get genuine answers.

I am biased, but I would say be careful about what you read on the internet there are a lot of scams out there. So be careful.

Regards.

Fred.

[Wooley]

Hi Liezel

Welcome to the club!!  

I think the shock of finding out you have psoriasis is just the worst!  It is like a lot of diseases that no one knows about until it affects your personally so you are usually unprepared for it, in terms of knowledge.  I felt like you too and was completely overwhelmed by it all, diagnosis, the treatments, everything about it.  I also appreciate how this affects you emotionally - it is so difficult trying to continue a 'normal' life of working, taking care of kids and just trying to manage on a daily basis with the diagnosis hanging over your head.

Hopefully you have an understanding dermatologist who will look after you and like Fred said there are processes that they have to go through before they find something that works for you but try and persevere with this until this time.

I found Psoriasis Club and the people on here were (and still are) so helpful both practically and gave emotional support along the way too.... so keep visiting and check out all information/posts etc on here - there is also a fun element too where you can take your mind off things for a while but above all, try and remember that you are not alone and there is always someone around to give you a bit of advice or just a bit of support if you need it....

Good luck

Wooley

[jiml]

Hi Leizel I'm glad you found your way here so   to the only independent psoriasis forum that will always be free and without advertising or spam

I don't remember much about my diagnosis it was so long ago now but I was devastated and it seems as if psoriasis ruled the best part of my adult life .....
But gladly times and treatments have moved on and there's no reason you shouldn't be able to control it well with medication,as Fred and Wooley have said is true there are with most health services hoops to jump through until you get to a treatment that gives you clearance, you can understand why when you see the cost of some of the treatments why they will always start with the cheapest first with the hope that you might give up and live with it ..... But the cheap creams offer at  best little more than a temporary relief
But keep on to your dermatologist and say that the creams aren't working and you feel it's time to move on to something that might help ...
Staying positive is difficult I know it has got me down in the past ....but look at it as if you are on a ladder and you've already taken the first step getting diagnosed and a second step finding us ....so you are working your way through towards finding what works for you .
,And we are here as fellow sufferers and will guide you through what helps us and might help you

Just shout if you need help there's usually someone close by to answer

A great way to stay in touch with news about treatments and other members stories is to subscribe to our free monthly newsletter you can do that by clicking Groups and clicking on join group  

I wish you good luck and hope you find something to stop the burn ( have you tried a good quality coconut oil many of us here use it to moisturise and to ease the itch

[Kat]

Welcome Leizel!

It's actually amazing to me the amount of diseases/illnesses that are "no cure, only treatment" out there. I think that learning to cope is partly learning as much as you can about the disease and about treatments and then finding a doctor who is wanting to help you find the treatment that's best for you. I started on ointments and it was explained to me that for here (US) most insurances require that you try ointments, then oral meds and if none of that works, biologics.

Not sure how your insurance and/or medical coverage works but I hope your doctor listens and if you aren't getting relief from topical creams or ointments he or she will help you to get a treatment that works!

This forum is great for getting info and also a great place for people who are sympathetic and always willing to listen

[D Foster]

Hi welcome to the community, there is more information on this site than any where I know and no advertisements or scams promising magic cures for lots of money. Just have a look around and ask any questions which will be answered by people who have the same problem and will answer from experience. Lots of support on here and you are not alone there are lots of us out here with the same problem.
Glad you have dropped in and a big hi.

[Imapsomom]

Hi Leizel,   this is a fantastic forum. I dont know how we would have navigated the diagnosis and treatment of my sons psoriasis without it.  More information and genuine support here than you will find anywhere else.

[Liezel johns]

Hi all

Thank you for the kind words, it makes me feels less isolated.

I have another concern hoping anyone can offer some clarity or advice.
I'm also suffering from swelling of my legs and feet and ankles? Is this also normal? It comes and goes. I also suffer from hypertension but it's well controlled... had my kidneys checked everything ok.. doctor said it's as a result of the inflamation of the psoriasis? 
It's not painful during the day.. but a little bit so at the end of the day..
It is summer here and very hot I also work with kids and I am on my feet the whole day? Wondering if anyone else are suffering from the same thing? And can offer some advise please..

Thanking everyone in advance.

[Turnedlight]

Hi there nice the meet you! Yes it really does affect you emotionally - though I think doctors think we’re most worried about how we look, and that this is what brings us down, whereas I think it brings you down far more if your skin is sore and itching and you can’t sleep etc.
I hope you get some treatment that calms it all down soon, it is a case of trying things and going back to say it doesn’t work - try me on something else.
There are a lot of hypertension drugs which cause swelling, it’s to do with how they work, could it be that? Or is it only since the psoriasis?

[Fred]

Sorry I can't help Leizel, but it may be worth you starting a new thread on Psoriasis And Psoriatic Arthritis Topics and asking the questions as this is the introductions section.