Starting Light Therapy

[Goldensandy22222]

Hi i seem to have treatment resistant psoriasis. I had it in a couple of small patches- on on my neck and the other would develop related to certain underarm spray, whilst I was in my early twenties. It was mild and did not bother me and the creams seemed to keep it at bay. It was only 5 years ago it flard up big time. I have it all over my body except my face. I tried Acitretin for 18 months and that did not help. It just made my hair fall out. So now I am starting light therapy tomorrow. I hope it works. I would like to hear from anyone else who has had this and what their experiences are. Also, my self esteem is totally gone as I

[jiml]

Hi Sandy and a big welcome to the forum, I had UV light therapy on and off for many years and it was very successful although it wore off after a while and had the rebook more sessions .
The creams and sprays are not meant for long term use and you could after this course of treatment if it comes back again ask for the drug I'm on which is Skilarence I've been on it or similar drug for nearly 10 years now and I'm clear of the psoriasis apart from a couple of tiny stubborn spots
Or you could ask about methotrexate it works for several of our members there's a section here about available treatments Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis

Here though you will find you're among friends that have the same problems you have and we are all happy to exchange views on what works and what doesn't
Have a look around and if you have any questions just ask away someone will usually be able to help.
It's hard I know with psoriasis to feel good about yourself but you will always find a warm welcome here and someone to share your thoughts with

[KatT]

Hi Goldensandy

 to the psoriasis club 

I never tried light therapy but hope it works for you.  There is plenty of treatments for psoriasis now.  If it doesn't work, move on to the next!

Keep us posted on your experience!

[Kat]

For self esteem remember that you are NOT your psoriasis.  You're a person who has a chronic disease but don't let it define you!  Easy to say but I know it's not always easy to remember.    But you have found a place with people who do understand how psoriasis takes over at times. 

Acitretin actually helped me but didn't clear me totally.  I did light therapy, both the booth and the laser light.  Sadly neither helped my ears and scalp (well that's not totally true.  I did the Acitretin AND booth light therapy at the same time so I'm not totally sure which one helped, but I did get better. I have had a couple of flares since then and for now seem to be at a point that although not clear things are somewhat manageable)

Some people have had good results with light therapy so I hope it works for you!  Also biologics seem to be a big help to most people.  Just know that it may take some time to figure out what works for you and this is a great place for getting information.

[Fred]

I tried it many many years ago and it did help, but the way they do it today is a lot better. Some say it works well, but I don't think it's a long term solution. Having said that if the light gets it down you may be able to keep on top off it with the odd bit of creams.

I see Jim has pointed you to the prescribed treatments, I would have a good read through and arm yourself with some information on where to go next. It's all about finding the right treatment that works for you, good luck with the light treatment and do pop back and let us know how it's going as your input could help others in the future.

As for your self esteem, you are not alone and it's not your fault that you have psoriasis. I would suggest trying to talk openly with family and friends about it, the more you hide it the worse your self esteem will be but you may be surprised how supportive others are around you if they know. Point people to Psoriasis Club and tell them to have a read, if anyone gives back bad comments just remind them that "Anyone can get psoriasis at any time and they could be next"

You are not alone here and will find a lot of support so dive on in, we are not medical professionals but our members have a wide ranging experience and we know how you feel. 

Welcome to Psoriasis Club by the way 

*I made an edit to your thread subject as we already had on title "Light therapy"

[Forest Walker]

Welcome, Goldensandy.  This club has so much good information and kind people with years and years of experience dealing with all aspects of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.  You have found a good place.  I hope your light therapy brings you some relief.  I am starting my first session with light therapy this morning (it is morning here for me right now).  

It's also really nice to meet people here from several different countries and cultures.  

Good luck with your light therapy.  I'm looking forward to reading about your experience with it.  What other medications have you tried besides Acitretin?

[Caroline]

Hi, welcome to psoriasisclub. 

Light therapy is a well known approach for Psoriasis sufferers, and the great thing about it is that it mostly works for most of us.
The disadvantage is that the intensity of the light gives it a limit for your body to be in this strong light.

Of course I disagree with Fred. Don’t worry, that is very common…  ,  That it would not be a long term solution. It indeed is not a long term solution with the current use of intensity of light. But in case it might work for you, it is possible to switch to a low intensity light therapy at home. This has been researched and I have posted about this in the post RE: Clearance and remission duration to UVB phototherapy, only it is still not being recognised by default medicine as they don’t have the attitude of looking outside the box.
There is a picture of such a unit in this post RE: Home 6' NB UVB Distance From Lights?

Anyway, good luck with the light treatment. After that there still is a big set of treatments.


Caroline

[Wooley]

Hi Goldensandy

Sorry to hear that your psoriasis is being somewhat stubborn, fingers crossed the light therapy treatment will help....  I had light treatment but started drugs at the same time (Acitretin), so it's hard to know which worked better to me to be honest..... but one of them worked that's all I can tell you!

Good luck with the light treatment and really hoping that it works for you.  Try and stay positive, I know only too well how it affects your self esteem....

Warm welcome to the Psoriasis Club...

Wooley

[Raxyl]

Hi GoldenSandy welcome to P club, I'm on a bio now but I also have had UV therapy intermittently over the years, I still find it effective when I have a flare up. Good luck with it.

[Forest Walker]

Goldensandy, how did it go for you?

I had my first light treatment yesterday.  The duration of time was 35 seconds.  The setting was low (whatever that means) for the first visit and will go up on subsequent visits.  By evening, my skin had darkened slightly in color and reddened across my chest and abdomen.  I "think" it may have helped a little bit, but that could be wishful thinking.  I had trouble sleeping, though.  Without the distractions of the day and in the quiet of the night, I felt my skin mildly hurting, and that was weird.  Tylenol, though, erased the discomfort, and I slept better after taking it.  (And that's my report on your thread.     )