New to Psoriasis and this board

[Richard23]

Dear All,

I just wanted to introduce myself and talk about my Psoriasis a little bit. It would be nice to have someone to speak with about it, if someone had the time.

I am 25 years old, male, working in a busy job in london but without too many life-responsibilities. I am not married and do not have children so life is sort of simple on the whole.

I was diagnosed with Psoriasis a few months ago although i noticed it first about 2 years ago localised on my elbows.

The psoriasis came to life when i was in a highly stressful sitaution at work. I tried to fight the stress and ignore it at first but i eventually quit my job and became unemployed for a few months. I was severely stressed due to work, i used to get stomache cramps and breathing problems in the evenings. In short i hated my job and my colleagues. It was my first encounter with stress but it was severe. I would say that i have not really been highly stressed since but i've noticed that since being very highly stressed in the past it can sneak up on me from time to time and it is something i try my best to control.

I've noticed that when i bcome stressed the Psoriasis tends to become worse. It shows on the back of my hands and knuckles. As of today i'm feeling quite chilled with everything and it's not showing on my hands and is only lightly on my elbows. I'm enjoying life, have a very nice job with great colleagues and a nice girlfriend.

From what i have noticed the Psoriasis is directly linked with my stress levels so i am always trying to keep my stress to minimum.

As already mentioned I am treating it by keeping a stress-free life but also:

- I am very active with exercise which i think helps. I go to the gym 3 times minimum a week and do a variety of weight lifting a long cardio sessions. I think this helps a lot and also helps to keep me stress free.
- I have not quit, but i have reduced my alcohol intake massively. I get drunk very rarely now and hardly ever socially drink. I do not drink with meals either.
- I have upped my water intake substantially and eat fruits regularly (not sure if this actually does anything though)
- In terms of medicine i take prescribed Dovonex Ointment for my elbows which i massage into my skin in the evenings
- I also take vitamins D, Evening Primrose Oil and Cystenine (in 1 tablet) (otherwise known at Skin, Hair and Nails) and i also take Omega Oils 3, 6 and 9. I also take vitamin c every two days. I have been taking these for about 6 weeks now and i think it is benefitting me somewhat.
- I have done a few sun bed treatments at my gym just to experiement what would happen but this seemed to make no difference.

Well that's all i have to say... I think that stress is the key here and it is this which causes outbreaks. So i'm going to try my best to live a stress free life... but obviously this is easier said than done...

Thanks if you read. I would love to have any comments!

Kindest Regards,

Richard

[Troll]

Sorry I didn't see this post before your other one. Hello

[Fred]

Hello Richard and

I can always find time to talk about psoriasis and you will find a few others on here are always willing to listen, so never be afraid to share with others, that's why we are here.

I have just posted on your other thread regarding stress, but sport is not my favourite subject but I'm sure Caroline would like to discuss the benefits of sport with you. but until she gets off her bike and finds this have a look at this thread: [Group Specific]

Re the vitamins Vitamin D the natural way. and Free Psoriasis Treatment maybe worth a read. and get your Vit C from a glass of OJ per day and eat plenty of fresh Veg.  

Have a good look around there is always someone who will listen to you, also have a look in the Off Topic Section if you just want to chill out.

Regards.

Fred.

[Caroline]

Hello Richard,

Nice to meet you and Welcome over here at this nice forum.
Indeed as Fred indicates I like to move also a lot and can be found on a spinning bike at the gym at least three times a week.

For the compensation of this quite unmoving activity, I also drive a motorcycle.

Indeed vitamin D3 seems to be good against psoriasis. And of course a lot of sunshine, but take care with that.

Take a look around and mix in the discussions where you want to.

Have a fine time.
Caroline

[Richard23]

Thanks for reading my story and post.

I am thinking of starting going to yoga classes as i've heard that is thoroughly relaxing and helps to control my stress. As i read in other threads it is a bit of a cycle, the psoriasis gets you down and you have to stay positive.

Other than the physical appearance does psoriasis cause depression chemically? I'm feeling alright today and genrally am usually in a good mood but sometimes can feel anxious for absolutely no friggin reason and it does concern me a little...?

From what i've read humans have had this disease thousands of years and uponing inheriting it i'm somewhat surprised so little is understood about it!

[Fred]

Yes psoriasis can cause Depression and not just for the way you look, I suffered very bad depression a long time ago and it wasn't so much over my appearance, although that did have an impact on me when I was younger. But for me I got so down about actually having it, and finding out I would probably have it for the rest of my life.

Today there is a lot more work being done in trying to educate GPs that there is a link with depression and psoriasis. and it's something that used to be overlooked by the medical profession for to long. Psoriasis can't kill you as such but depression can, so it should always be taken very seriously.

Depression is no longer a problem for me and hasn't been for a long time, but I'm always aware it can lurk in the background just waiting. It's bad enough living with psoriasis on your own but depression is much worse.

This thread from the old forum makes interesting reading: The Hidden Enemy

[Lady Bugley-Ah]

Hello Richard
Like you my skin flares with stress and that causes further anxiety - vicious circle really. So anything that helps you to relax is definitely worth persuing. A few years ago I trained for a marathon and the long runs were really calming and I was outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine enjoing nature (no ipod for me just bird song). I found the excercise improved my well being and that helped my psoriasis too. I am a bit of a lazy legs these days but I have tried yoga and I found the experience quite uplifting. It was a nice group of people of different ages and abilities and we did excercise and meditation/chanting which used to make me giggle. I gave it up because the spring came along and I was back into my gardening. Infact that's what I do most of these days and I am proud to say I have had my shorts on already this year (shame about the legs though )
All the best
Lady B

[Tamsin87]

Hiya Richard

I completely agree with you I get the same spurts of weird anxious feelings, I mean obviously it's hard being confident having something like this bu I'm generally a bubbly happy talkative girl, so they are a little worrying to me too? Even though I have had psoriasis for a long time this is a new thing that's has started in the past year or so!

Lol so good to know I'm not the only one!

[Hanna]

I think yoga is a great idea

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