Psoriasis

My life with psoriasis. It's a pretty bloody story.

I've had  psoriasis since I was a teenager - except I  didn't know it. The frantic scratching of my scalp  until it bled was "dandruff". It got so bad I used Dettol.

Strangely it only effected my scalp. All through my teens I had a large red crusty scar on my forehead. I'd scrap it off and it would ooze. I grew my hair long to hide the scar.

Psoriasis of the scalp is gross. What happens is your head grows a carapace of dried skin. Imagine - lifting off the whole of your scalp. That's what happened when applying  Ung Cocois Co a mixture of coal tar Salicylic acid and  Coconut oil. 

It was rather messy. So as not to stain the pillows etc, I'd wear a large plastic cap. As a 27 year old it didn't help getting laid.

Psoriasis was kept under control for 20 odd years. Betnovate was ditched - and I switched to Dovonex and some stuff that stained all my clothes. Then in 2006 I had pain in my wrist. My doctor thought it was gout and I had a couple of uncomfortable months misdiagnosed.

The consultant I was referred to diagnosed Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) . A steroid injection bringing almost instant relief  confirmed his diagnosis and I was put on Diclofex to ease the pain and given exercises to reduce the inflammation.

Methotrexate: When I heard I'd be on that I was scared - it has a fearful reputation. Initially it made me tired and giving up wine was a problem, but it worked. not only were my joints free of pain but my psoriasis was clear. The monthly blood tests and bi-monthly check up were annoying but I was pain and scab free.

Then I had problems with my lungs. Really bad coughs, unshakable infections. After a couple of bad bouts I told my doctor - take me off M.

After a month or so my skin psoriasis came back in spades, but my joints were ok. That was five years ago.

At my last consultation in February this year I was fine. No pain, no deformation of joints. I needed no drugs except the stuff to keep my skin scab free!

I went to Antarctica in March and kayaked. Not a problem. I'd even preliminarily booked a sail boat trip there.

But recently things are not so good. I am often tired (a usual effect of PsA), my joints ache. At night I have difficulty in sleeping because of the deep pain in my legs. I'll walk and my leg will give way - pain in my hip.

I'm trying to evade PsA. I work a lot on my allotment. Go walking. Do distracting things like going to the theatre, writing but..