After months of not being able to get a hold of any daivonex the chemist was finally able to fill my prescription the other day. So I have been happily using daivonex for the past few days. . My skin feels so much smoother. It's not felt this smooth in months. There is only one drawback. It seems redder than it has been in ages. The same kind of red when I get a flare but the only difference being is my skin feels smother. Oh well at least the daivonex is working and when I rub my skin it almost feels normal again!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Did I Speak Too Soon?
After being on the Primolut tablets for a little over four weeks my skin began flaring big time. Oh I know I wasn't taking the tablets to help my skin the side effects from that was an added bonus. I just wish that it was still keeping the flares at bay.
After talking with Mark about what was going on with my body & the way I had been feeling as far as my cycle is concerned. We decided that I should come off the tablets for a few days. I know it truly is one of the last things I wanted to do as I know what the consequences are for stopping the meds. I will bleed like a stuck pig! I've already started getting pains again so I know that over the next few days I might not be moving too far from home. I am so dreading this. I could've phoned the doctors surgery but I didn't. Mostly because Dr. F is only part-time and I don't know if he is there on a Friday.
I'll start the tablets in about 5 days or so. At least I know that when I go back on them I get the added bonus of my skin clearing a bit. Until then I slap on some more lotions and potions and hope that my skin doesn't end up hurting too much.
Before I forget .. we're on freebie scripts again. We reached the PBS Safety Net earlier this week. We will now get free scripts for the rest of the calendar year.
After talking with Mark about what was going on with my body & the way I had been feeling as far as my cycle is concerned. We decided that I should come off the tablets for a few days. I know it truly is one of the last things I wanted to do as I know what the consequences are for stopping the meds. I will bleed like a stuck pig! I've already started getting pains again so I know that over the next few days I might not be moving too far from home. I am so dreading this. I could've phoned the doctors surgery but I didn't. Mostly because Dr. F is only part-time and I don't know if he is there on a Friday.
I'll start the tablets in about 5 days or so. At least I know that when I go back on them I get the added bonus of my skin clearing a bit. Until then I slap on some more lotions and potions and hope that my skin doesn't end up hurting too much.
Before I forget .. we're on freebie scripts again. We reached the PBS Safety Net earlier this week. We will now get free scripts for the rest of the calendar year.
Monday, May 18, 2009
On The Improve!
I cannot believe the changes in my skin. After the flare up of last week when I was only on one Primolut tablet I didn't think my skin would look 'better' for another week or more. However after only a few days (five days) of taking two tablets again my skin is looking fabulous.
I have noticed that since my skin is improving I am needing to use less lotions and potions than before. I still use them constantly but I am not needing anywhere near the same volume as I normally would. It's great! It's a shame that we are heading for winter and I am having to cover up due to the cold weather but I would just love to 'show off' my improved skin.
I have noticed that since my skin is improving I am needing to use less lotions and potions than before. I still use them constantly but I am not needing anywhere near the same volume as I normally would. It's great! It's a shame that we are heading for winter and I am having to cover up due to the cold weather but I would just love to 'show off' my improved skin.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
GP Visit
I went to see my GP yesterday to get some new scripts written up. I also wanted to show him how great my arm looked before my current flare up took away all the progress that had been made in the past week.
I had taken the Primolut tablets like he had said 2 a day for two weeks and then drop it back to 1 a day. Well as soon as I went to one a day the flare up started again. By yesterday you could still see some normal skin on my arm near my elbow.
Dr F. said to me that if he had not seen my arm he wouldn't have believe that a hormone tablet could make such a huge difference. He also added not that he thought I was fibbing or anything but he had never seen anything like it in all of his years as a doctor. He was so fascinated that he called in another doctor to check out my arm. Dr Anna was surprised to see the difference in my arm. She remembered seeing me just before Christmas last year and recalled how bad my skin was at the time. She too was baffled by what had helped me. She said that she had never seen anything like this either and told Dr F. that I might make a good case study.
If being a case study might mean I get free meds I am all for it! I don't think anything would come of the idea but its interesting.
Oh and to top it off Dr F. said that my psoriasis is the worst he has ever come across. It doesn't surprise me in the least. My dermatologist that I used to see in Adelaide used to say the exact same thing to me. I guess that makes me SPECIAL :P
Dr F has put me back on two tablets a day since I was flaring so badly. Not that he was treating my skin with the hormone tablets but since my cycle has always affected my skin he thought that it would be best to go back to two. I'm not complaining since it stops me from bleeding and helps my skin. Even if I can't use this stuff long term I will get a month or two of good skin its worth it. And possibly worth the big flare up later on down the track when I am no longer on the tablets. One other thing my doctor said was how attached are you to your uterus. Well ... maybe if I no longer had it my skin my be better but I'll wait and see what the gynaecologist says (I see him in July). I'm in no hurry to get rid of anything yet.
I had taken the Primolut tablets like he had said 2 a day for two weeks and then drop it back to 1 a day. Well as soon as I went to one a day the flare up started again. By yesterday you could still see some normal skin on my arm near my elbow.
Dr F. said to me that if he had not seen my arm he wouldn't have believe that a hormone tablet could make such a huge difference. He also added not that he thought I was fibbing or anything but he had never seen anything like it in all of his years as a doctor. He was so fascinated that he called in another doctor to check out my arm. Dr Anna was surprised to see the difference in my arm. She remembered seeing me just before Christmas last year and recalled how bad my skin was at the time. She too was baffled by what had helped me. She said that she had never seen anything like this either and told Dr F. that I might make a good case study.
If being a case study might mean I get free meds I am all for it! I don't think anything would come of the idea but its interesting.
Oh and to top it off Dr F. said that my psoriasis is the worst he has ever come across. It doesn't surprise me in the least. My dermatologist that I used to see in Adelaide used to say the exact same thing to me. I guess that makes me SPECIAL :P
Dr F has put me back on two tablets a day since I was flaring so badly. Not that he was treating my skin with the hormone tablets but since my cycle has always affected my skin he thought that it would be best to go back to two. I'm not complaining since it stops me from bleeding and helps my skin. Even if I can't use this stuff long term I will get a month or two of good skin its worth it. And possibly worth the big flare up later on down the track when I am no longer on the tablets. One other thing my doctor said was how attached are you to your uterus. Well ... maybe if I no longer had it my skin my be better but I'll wait and see what the gynaecologist says (I see him in July). I'm in no hurry to get rid of anything yet.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Photo Comparison
Time for a photo update on my arm. Mark took a photo of my arm last night .. 11 days after starting the Primolut tablet & using the Advantan Fatty Ointment. I was shocked when I looked at the photos up close. There is such a HUGE difference. It's almost hard to believe that its the same arm.
I will definitely be showing these photos to my GP next time I go in to see him.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hormones & Psoriasis
I have been having a lot of problems with my menstrual cycle since the end of December and I have noticed that my skin has been flaring horribly the whole time. Kind of like a roller coaster ride up and down. It would flare then settle down a tiny bit then flare again. It seemed like I would never win.
I was totally jacked off with how my body was behaving. My cycle was up shit creek basically. I would bleed for two weeks, stop for two weeks, bleed for two weeks, stop for two weeks and then start again. When it got to three weeks of non-stop heavy clot filled bleeding couldn't stand it any more. I had to go to the doctor and do something about all of this. My skin was constantly flaring. I was sore. Could hardly walk because my skin was on fire. It was a nightmare!
So three weeks ago I saw my GP and he put me on a tablet called Primolut (mydr.com.au). They did the trick. Within three days of taking them my bleeding stopped. I was to take these tablets for two weeks which I did. During the two weeks of taking these tablets my psoriasis began to clear. I didn't know if it was the tablets or the new ointment that my GP prescribed, advantan fatty ointment. In fact the psoriasis on my arms (and the rest of me) hadn't looked so good in years. My arms had almost cleared and the rest of me didn't seem so flaky any more. Don't think that I wasn't flaky because I was but it was nowhere as severe as it usually is.
Once my script ran out though my skin began to flare again. In fact if you could see it now it looks absolutely horrid. It's ultra dry, very inflamed, extra red and throwing off heat like you wouldn't believe. I thought it would be neat to do a photo comparison later on while I am on these tablets but we (Mark really) took a photo just of my right arm as it looks the worst. Plus it was cold and I didn't want to strip as it were. Anywho .. you can see my forearm is pretty much all covered and very red.
This is what my skin looks like a week after stopping the progesterone tablet, Primolut.
I was totally jacked off with how my body was behaving. My cycle was up shit creek basically. I would bleed for two weeks, stop for two weeks, bleed for two weeks, stop for two weeks and then start again. When it got to three weeks of non-stop heavy clot filled bleeding couldn't stand it any more. I had to go to the doctor and do something about all of this. My skin was constantly flaring. I was sore. Could hardly walk because my skin was on fire. It was a nightmare!
So three weeks ago I saw my GP and he put me on a tablet called Primolut (mydr.com.au). They did the trick. Within three days of taking them my bleeding stopped. I was to take these tablets for two weeks which I did. During the two weeks of taking these tablets my psoriasis began to clear. I didn't know if it was the tablets or the new ointment that my GP prescribed, advantan fatty ointment. In fact the psoriasis on my arms (and the rest of me) hadn't looked so good in years. My arms had almost cleared and the rest of me didn't seem so flaky any more. Don't think that I wasn't flaky because I was but it was nowhere as severe as it usually is.
Once my script ran out though my skin began to flare again. In fact if you could see it now it looks absolutely horrid. It's ultra dry, very inflamed, extra red and throwing off heat like you wouldn't believe. I thought it would be neat to do a photo comparison later on while I am on these tablets but we (Mark really) took a photo just of my right arm as it looks the worst. Plus it was cold and I didn't want to strip as it were. Anywho .. you can see my forearm is pretty much all covered and very red.
This is what my skin looks like a week after stopping the progesterone tablet, Primolut.I went back to my GP this morning. Mainly because I was having bleeding problems again & need to go see a gynaecologist about it. In fact I was in such pain over the weekend that I could hardly move on Saturday. Anyway I am back on the tablets again.
While at the doctors, my GP asked if the new ointment had helped my skin at all. To which I honestly told him that I don't know whether it was the advantan or the hormone tablet. I then went into great details with him as to how my cycle affects my skin. How that when I was pregnant my skin improved a great deal and flared once I had the boys. He was intrigued with what I had said.
He told me that I should google psoriasis and progesterone and see what comes up. He also said that I should talk to the gynaecologist about it when I get to see him & see what he has to say about hormones & psoriasis. My GP also said that it might be worthwhile looking into it as a possible treatment to help my psoriasis. This is great news to me as this is a doctor who frowns upon me using a UVB lamp and he isn't prepared to try anything new without the okay of a dermatologist. It certainly is worth looking into this further.
While at the doctors, my GP asked if the new ointment had helped my skin at all. To which I honestly told him that I don't know whether it was the advantan or the hormone tablet. I then went into great details with him as to how my cycle affects my skin. How that when I was pregnant my skin improved a great deal and flared once I had the boys. He was intrigued with what I had said.
He told me that I should google psoriasis and progesterone and see what comes up. He also said that I should talk to the gynaecologist about it when I get to see him & see what he has to say about hormones & psoriasis. My GP also said that it might be worthwhile looking into it as a possible treatment to help my psoriasis. This is great news to me as this is a doctor who frowns upon me using a UVB lamp and he isn't prepared to try anything new without the okay of a dermatologist. It certainly is worth looking into this further.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Psoriasis Link To Health Problems
I was just reading an article that states women with psoriasis have a higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. To be honest that doesn't surprise me one bit. Just something else to be on the look out for ... especially since I already have high BP and that diabetes is in the family. Mum had it and my brother, Wayne, has it.
If you wish to check out the article here's the link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8008038.stm
If you wish to check out the article here's the link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8008038.stm
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
New Ointment
I got a new ointment from my GP today. I went in to see him for a couple of things today but one of the main things was because my Chemist is unable to get Daivonex at the moment. There has been a supply problem with it for the past two months or more. Anyway I got a script for Advantan Fatty Ointment (methylprednisolone). It only comes in a piddly little 15g tube so my GP had to phone up to get a special script. He said he was going to ask for 20 tubes for the price of one. A tube if I am lucky will last me a day if I use it as directed. Well even less if I use it twice a day like I am supposed to. To be honest neither the Dr, Mark nor I thought that the script for 20 tubes would be approved and that I would only get around 10. We were pleasantly surprised that the script was approved, well maybe shocked might be a better word.
So I now have 10 tubes, the Chemist owes me 10 more as they didn't have them in stock, to try out. I hope that it helps. I am so tired of being so sore. My skin has been biting a lot of late and the heat coming off if is just beyond belief. Who invented this blasted disease anyway? Don't we have enough things to torture ourselves with without having an incurable illness like this to make our lives so miserable? I never asked for this and if I did I must have been completely insane to have agreed to it!
I suppose there is a small silver lining to this cloud for today. I have bought around 37 prescriptions since the beginning of the year. Only 23 more to go until we have reached this years PBS 'goal' of 60 scripts before we get our freebies. Give me another 10 weeks and I am sure that we will have reached our 'goal'.
So I now have 10 tubes, the Chemist owes me 10 more as they didn't have them in stock, to try out. I hope that it helps. I am so tired of being so sore. My skin has been biting a lot of late and the heat coming off if is just beyond belief. Who invented this blasted disease anyway? Don't we have enough things to torture ourselves with without having an incurable illness like this to make our lives so miserable? I never asked for this and if I did I must have been completely insane to have agreed to it!
I suppose there is a small silver lining to this cloud for today. I have bought around 37 prescriptions since the beginning of the year. Only 23 more to go until we have reached this years PBS 'goal' of 60 scripts before we get our freebies. Give me another 10 weeks and I am sure that we will have reached our 'goal'.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A bit better today
The skin is feeling a bit better today. Although I do get tired of it feeling awfully tight and extra dry after a wash. Yeah I know I should use more moisturiser :P
At least the shower didn't hurt my skin this time.
At least the shower didn't hurt my skin this time.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Argh .. horrid skin
I hate my skin today .. even the water from the shower hurt this morning. When will this ever stop?
Monday, January 19, 2009
I'm Having A Pity Party!
OMGoodness my skin is burning right now. It's so hot and sore, it's not fair. Oh I know it sounds like I am whinging but my skin truly does feel like it is on fire at the moment. I've moisturised and used the medicated creams that the doctor has prescribed but they aren't helping. I am hoping that this is just a hormonal flare up and that it will settle down soon. You should see all the flakes I've left all over the place and I vacuumed already today. It's so not fair!
I really hate my skin today!!
I really hate my skin today!!
Saturday, December 06, 2008
EBA Links
From what I have just checked out perhaps EBA it isn't a new type of psoriasis but something that can occur in conjunction with psoriasis vulgaris (wiki) which is the most common type of P there is. It's still interesting to learn about I guess. So here are some links for you to check out. Knowledge is power after all
British Journal of Dermatology
Karger
Mediwire News
British Journal of Dermatology
Karger
Mediwire News
Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita (EBA)
I was talking with Marks brother yesterday, I think it was yesterday lol all the days seem to be blurring together of late. Anyway he was telling me about a different type of psoriasis that I had never hear of before called epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). It certainly doesn't sound very nice but then again when does psoriasis ever sound nice?!?!
I was trying to research EBA but there wasn't a lot of information out there. The only site I could find a decent description of it was a French one but at least the description was in English. Anyway go >>HERE<< to check it out.
If I come across some more links I'll post them so you can check it out.
I was trying to research EBA but there wasn't a lot of information out there. The only site I could find a decent description of it was a French one but at least the description was in English. Anyway go >>HERE<< to check it out.
If I come across some more links I'll post them so you can check it out.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Itchy Eyes & Psoriasis
I've been waking up with itchy eyes for the past few days and on Sunday when I woke up my right eye was really red. I thought it might just be conjunctivitis so I phoned the doctors surgery Monday morning. Now my GP is only there a few days a week so I had to wait until today to get in to see him. That's not so bad I guess because the doctor Mark sees sometimes has his appointments booked for a week or so before you can get in to see him, unless it is an emergency then you get to see any of the doctors there if they have a space to fit you in.
Anyway back to my eye. Not only did my GP say it was conjunctivitis I also have an infection in my eye. Dr F. also stated that I have more psoriasis around my eye (including by my eye lashes) and that some of the flakes may be getting into my eye and making it sore. That explains a bit I suppose. Worse thing though is I now have to put 2 drops of Chlorsig Eye Drops (mydr.com) in both eyes and I HATE putting anything in my eyes!! I also have some Hycor Eye Ointment 1% hydrocortisone (mydr.com). I've had the ointment before but it should help with the P around the eyes.
Anyway back to my eye. Not only did my GP say it was conjunctivitis I also have an infection in my eye. Dr F. also stated that I have more psoriasis around my eye (including by my eye lashes) and that some of the flakes may be getting into my eye and making it sore. That explains a bit I suppose. Worse thing though is I now have to put 2 drops of Chlorsig Eye Drops (mydr.com) in both eyes and I HATE putting anything in my eyes!! I also have some Hycor Eye Ointment 1% hydrocortisone (mydr.com). I've had the ointment before but it should help with the P around the eyes.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Famous People With Psoriasis
Thanks to a comment on another post in which some famous people were pointed out to me as having psoriasis. I just had to look up these P sufferers (for want of a better word) and list them here. It's kind of nice to know that we aren't alone in all of this - not that we were really alone but it's still nice to know that celebrities aren't immune. Gosh that sounds bad but I don't mean it that way. Perhaps they could use this to make the general public more aware of P and how it affects us & that it isn't contagious, etc.
Anyway here's a list of celebrities (past and present) who have P ~~
You can find out more about these people (and others) by checking out this article on Famous People with Psoriasis at Disabled World
Anyway here's a list of celebrities (past and present) who have P ~~
- Jason Donovan ~ an Australian actor and singer
- Benjamin Elton ~ an English comedian, writer and director
- Arthur Garfunkel ~ American singer-songwriter (part of the Simon & Garfunkel duo) and actor
- Robert I, King of Scots
- Paul Ferris ~ businessman, author & former gangster
- Marcus Dell Gastineau ~ former American football player
- CariDee English ~ an American fashion model
- Thomas Waits ~ an American singer-songwriter, composer and actor
- Shawn Lane ~ an American musician
- Jerry Mathers ~ an American television, film and stage actor (from Leave it to Beaver)
- Dennis Potter ~ a controversial English dramatist, best known for The Singing Detective
- Joseph Stalin ~ General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee
- Kenneth Starr ~ an American lawyer and former judge
- John Updike ~ an American novelist, poet, short story writer and literary critic
- Vladimir Nabokov ~ a Russian novelist, professor and lepidopterist
You can find out more about these people (and others) by checking out this article on Famous People with Psoriasis at Disabled World
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Psoriatic Arthritis
Oh Golly. I so do not want to get Psoriatic Arthritis (PA). I was reading up on it today and I have decided that this is one thing I do NOT want. Not that you really have a choice as to whether you get it or not. If you want to check out the site I was looking at for the information check >>>here<<< at Health Talk.
One thing I did take note of when I was reading was the increased likely hood of getting PA if you had certain symptoms such as changes in your fingernails such as pitting, ridges or your nail lifting from the nail bed. Lucky me I have those happening :P I have had problems with my eye for a little while with redness and soreness but I was thinking that was conjunctivitis or something (I really must see my GP about that I suppose) which is also another symptom.
I think I should resolve not to read anything else about PA ~ ignorance might be best when it comes to this. I certainly don't want to think I am turning into a hypochondriac or something! Sheesh. I remember my sister saying that about me when I was a pre-teen. I didn't like the idea then and I certainly don't like the idea of it now. I doubt my sister even remembers saying it to me either. Not that I see her anyway. Nor the rest of my family. I guess that's the bonus of living 800 kms (500 miles) away from them!
Anyway if you wish to learn more about PS check out the Health Talk site. They have a lot of information there on treatments, diagnosis and so on.
One thing I did take note of when I was reading was the increased likely hood of getting PA if you had certain symptoms such as changes in your fingernails such as pitting, ridges or your nail lifting from the nail bed. Lucky me I have those happening :P I have had problems with my eye for a little while with redness and soreness but I was thinking that was conjunctivitis or something (I really must see my GP about that I suppose) which is also another symptom.
I think I should resolve not to read anything else about PA ~ ignorance might be best when it comes to this. I certainly don't want to think I am turning into a hypochondriac or something! Sheesh. I remember my sister saying that about me when I was a pre-teen. I didn't like the idea then and I certainly don't like the idea of it now. I doubt my sister even remembers saying it to me either. Not that I see her anyway. Nor the rest of my family. I guess that's the bonus of living 800 kms (500 miles) away from them!
Anyway if you wish to learn more about PS check out the Health Talk site. They have a lot of information there on treatments, diagnosis and so on.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Interesting Email
Goodness I know I haven't been blogging much here of late and to be honest I don't have a lot to say. Well I don't think I do. There was something interesting though that happened last night concerning this blog. I got an email stating that it might be a spam blog. Not too sure what that would entail but hey I know this site isn't one and clicked the link to get my site checked out and unflagged as it were. Thankfully that was all sorted out by the time I checked a few minutes ago. I know there are a lot of questionable sites out there but I would never have thought that Scratch That Darn Itch would have ever been marked as one of them. Oh well it's all sorted out now.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Researchers Identify New Genetic Links to Psoriasis
I came across this link this morning about the genetic link to Psoriasis. Not that we didn't already know that there is a genetic link but you can check out the article & see what they have to say about it.
Researchers Identify New Genetic Links to Psoriasis
Researchers Identify New Genetic Links to Psoriasis
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Test Results
I phoned the Doctors Clinic and spoke to the nurse just over an hour ago to get the test results. It seems that I definitely have a torn tendon in my shoulder, completely torn from all accounts. I'm not too sure what that entails but there was a request from my GP to come in and discuss the results with him. I guess he will tell me what I need to do to improve things and stop the pain, well ease the pain.
From the information that I have checked out on the internet, and we all know that it isn't always 100% reliable all of the time, I will probably need to see a physiotherapist (perhaps I can join Mark when he sees one rofl) to learn some new exercises to strengthen my shoulder. That doesn't sound too bad and I know I can manage that. The only things I don't wish to hear from him is that hey you need surgery! But I wont think of that too much as I don't think that is a top priority. I guess I just need to wait until I see my Dr on Tuesday morning.
Back to the other ultrasound. Everything looks okay with the pelvic exam. I can't remember exactly what the nurse said so it must have been alright. She never mentioned the Pap Smear test so I am guessing that that was fine too. Or maybe the results aren't in for that yet. That's another thing I will need to talk to my GP about.
From the information that I have checked out on the internet, and we all know that it isn't always 100% reliable all of the time, I will probably need to see a physiotherapist (perhaps I can join Mark when he sees one rofl) to learn some new exercises to strengthen my shoulder. That doesn't sound too bad and I know I can manage that. The only things I don't wish to hear from him is that hey you need surgery! But I wont think of that too much as I don't think that is a top priority. I guess I just need to wait until I see my Dr on Tuesday morning.
Back to the other ultrasound. Everything looks okay with the pelvic exam. I can't remember exactly what the nurse said so it must have been alright. She never mentioned the Pap Smear test so I am guessing that that was fine too. Or maybe the results aren't in for that yet. That's another thing I will need to talk to my GP about.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Ultrasounds & X-ray
I went to the hospital this morning to get an ultrasound done on my shoulder and my pelvic region. I had to have a 'full' bladder as well. My appointment was for 10am and I finally made it home just after 11:30am. Who would've thought that two ultrasounds would take so long. Mind you I was never told that I would need an xray on my shoulder on top of the ultrasounds.
I never realised that the technician would have to press so hard on my shoulder. I thought I was going to fall of the chair a few times. Thank goodness it didn't hurt too much or I don't think I would've coped as well as I did. Looks like I have a torn tendon which means that I will probably need some physio or something to that effect.
The one I didn't like was the ultrasound on the pelvis. That one hurt like the dickens. My bladder was at bursting point by the time we got around to doing that one! My psoriasis was so red and tender where she had to place the probe or whatever it's called. She was very understanding and rather quick. She didn't want me to be in too much discomfort. Thankfully it was a rather quick procedure. From what the technician told me everything looks okay but she can't really say too much can she.
My GP gets the results in a couple of days time so I can phone up the clinic later this week to get the results.
I never realised that the technician would have to press so hard on my shoulder. I thought I was going to fall of the chair a few times. Thank goodness it didn't hurt too much or I don't think I would've coped as well as I did. Looks like I have a torn tendon which means that I will probably need some physio or something to that effect.
The one I didn't like was the ultrasound on the pelvis. That one hurt like the dickens. My bladder was at bursting point by the time we got around to doing that one! My psoriasis was so red and tender where she had to place the probe or whatever it's called. She was very understanding and rather quick. She didn't want me to be in too much discomfort. Thankfully it was a rather quick procedure. From what the technician told me everything looks okay but she can't really say too much can she.
My GP gets the results in a couple of days time so I can phone up the clinic later this week to get the results.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Out! Out! Darned Spot!!
I am so sick and tired of new spots popping up all over the place. I am almost at wits end trying to work out what on earth I can do to stop it.
I don't know if I mentioned that when I went to see my GP the other week and had that dreaded Pap Smear that my Dr asked what I use on my skin. Well der he prescribed it he should know! Far out!! I know he has a lot of people to see and stuff but he should be able to remember that he was the one who prescribed the advantan ointment that I have been using. Anyway the nurse (who was in the room as well) said you've probably used just about everything to which I said pretty much. And I mentioned that I had also used methotrexate. Well my Dr didn't like the sound of that. Too bad so sad was my thinking but he did go on to mention one person that he knew, whether it was a patient of his or not, and how she had been on methotrexate. She passed away due to her immune system being so bad that she died from an infection. I guess that's the risk you take with anything I suppose. You have to weigh up the Pros and Cons to anything you use. Sometimes it is worth the risk.
So I guess that will mean that my GP wont be in any hurry to help me get rid of this P with any oral medication like this.
I don't know if I mentioned that when I went to see my GP the other week and had that dreaded Pap Smear that my Dr asked what I use on my skin. Well der he prescribed it he should know! Far out!! I know he has a lot of people to see and stuff but he should be able to remember that he was the one who prescribed the advantan ointment that I have been using. Anyway the nurse (who was in the room as well) said you've probably used just about everything to which I said pretty much. And I mentioned that I had also used methotrexate. Well my Dr didn't like the sound of that. Too bad so sad was my thinking but he did go on to mention one person that he knew, whether it was a patient of his or not, and how she had been on methotrexate. She passed away due to her immune system being so bad that she died from an infection. I guess that's the risk you take with anything I suppose. You have to weigh up the Pros and Cons to anything you use. Sometimes it is worth the risk.
So I guess that will mean that my GP wont be in any hurry to help me get rid of this P with any oral medication like this.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Clinical Trial
Oh man am I kicking myself. Last night on the TV there was a brief ad regarding a clinical trial for a new psoriasis treatment. It's for people with moderate to severe P who aren't on any current treatment program. I missed ALL of the important details like the phone number!! I've been trying to search for information on how to find out where it is and whom to contact but I've not have any luck! I'd do just about anything to be rid of this darned awful skin!!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Interesting Articles
I was checking out the PHO forum and came across a thread with some links to interesting articles in regards to psoriasis and other medical conditions. Not too sure what to make of it all but it was interesting reading nonetheless.
Here's the links ...
http://www.emaxhealth.com/39/20190.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070418100821.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/03/2107469.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/102245.php
Here's the links ...
http://www.emaxhealth.com/39/20190.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070418100821.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/03/2107469.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/102245.php
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
I Hate Flakes
I really hate flakes! I vacuumed yesterday afternoon in the bedroom to get rid of the inch of flakes on the floor. Well okay it wasn't an inch high but it seemed that way. By the time I got out of bed this morning it was if I hadn't vacuumed the carpet at all!
I HATE! HATE! HATE! those FLAKES!!
I HATE! HATE! HATE! those FLAKES!!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Settling Down
Thank goodness my skin seems to be settling down at the moment. I was so tired of being so sore and red!!
I decided a couple of days ago that the advantan that I got from my GP was not working as effectively as it could be so I thought that I would try something a little different. Well not different more like alternating between the daivonex and the advantan ointment. I must admit that it seems to be working. The P on my chest & part of my torso has greatly improved. It is no longer as raised as it was nor quite as red as last week. The same with my arms. It's nice to have smoother skin for a while even if I know it wont last.
Too bad there isn't much difference elsewhere. My lower legs look the same as before. In fact the P on my lower legs have blended and merged into giant spots. The giant spot on my left leg is larger than both my hands put together.
I'll keep plugging away with this alternating system and see if that improves them. It certainly wont hurt at any rate.
I decided a couple of days ago that the advantan that I got from my GP was not working as effectively as it could be so I thought that I would try something a little different. Well not different more like alternating between the daivonex and the advantan ointment. I must admit that it seems to be working. The P on my chest & part of my torso has greatly improved. It is no longer as raised as it was nor quite as red as last week. The same with my arms. It's nice to have smoother skin for a while even if I know it wont last.
Too bad there isn't much difference elsewhere. My lower legs look the same as before. In fact the P on my lower legs have blended and merged into giant spots. The giant spot on my left leg is larger than both my hands put together.
I'll keep plugging away with this alternating system and see if that improves them. It certainly wont hurt at any rate.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Major Flare
Well Lucky me... I am in the throes of a major flare up. My skin has been extra red these past few days. So red in fact that one of the little girls in Nursery yesterday pointed to my are and said ... Ooo Owie!! My arms had been looking good for a while .. except for these past few days.
I guess it doesn't help that I have extra stress at home at the moment. I am so tired of teenage temper tantrums, the arguing, swearing, physical violence and whatever else comes to mind. There is only so much a person can take isn't there and I guess I have about reached my limit. Someone should ban teenagers ... make them skip from the age of 12 to 20 and miss all those yukky teen years!! I've had it!!
Anyway back to my skin for a minute .... I looked in the mirror this morning, something I detest doing, to see how the skin on my back is faring. Well I was horrified to see how bad it was. I know it's been sore for the past 24 hours. So sore that it hurts to touch but I didn't realise how bad it was. My back is almost completely covered with one gigantic spot!!!! I honestly thought it was improving but I guess I was horribly wrong.
I guess it doesn't help that I have extra stress at home at the moment. I am so tired of teenage temper tantrums, the arguing, swearing, physical violence and whatever else comes to mind. There is only so much a person can take isn't there and I guess I have about reached my limit. Someone should ban teenagers ... make them skip from the age of 12 to 20 and miss all those yukky teen years!! I've had it!!
Anyway back to my skin for a minute .... I looked in the mirror this morning, something I detest doing, to see how the skin on my back is faring. Well I was horrified to see how bad it was. I know it's been sore for the past 24 hours. So sore that it hurts to touch but I didn't realise how bad it was. My back is almost completely covered with one gigantic spot!!!! I honestly thought it was improving but I guess I was horribly wrong.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Quick Update
There's not much to talk about right now as there really hasn't been much happening here. Kind of boring really lol. I've been doing pretty much the same routine and there's not been much of a change in the skin except for the patches on my legs. They don't look as angry looking. However, I have had a recent flare but that's the hormones fluctuating again. I hate when that happens! I get so sore sometimes that it hurts to walk. Thankfully that hasn't happened too often.
I've recently joined, well about three weeks ago, another yahoo group (yes, another one!! It's number 24 or 25 by now!!) but this group is different. It's called Knit4Charities (check out their other site for info). Basically its an Australian based group of women who knit or crochet for charity and they can share patterns, ideas and locations of needy charities.
So I have been busy knitting for the past few weeks. I've made 2 beanies, bootees and two matinee jackets (well almost two as I've not quite finished the second one).
I've recently joined, well about three weeks ago, another yahoo group (yes, another one!! It's number 24 or 25 by now!!) but this group is different. It's called Knit4Charities (check out their other site for info). Basically its an Australian based group of women who knit or crochet for charity and they can share patterns, ideas and locations of needy charities.
So I have been busy knitting for the past few weeks. I've made 2 beanies, bootees and two matinee jackets (well almost two as I've not quite finished the second one).
Monday, February 18, 2008
Looking In The Mirror
Have you ever looked in the mirror while you're buck naked? I mean really looked? Did you like what you saw? I bet you found something that you didn't like!! I know I do if I ever catch a glimpse of myself when I've hopped out of the shower.
A good friend, and fellow P sufferer, Debi, mentioned once in chat about using a red light globe in the bathroom so that we didn't have to see our red spots or that we should cover up the mirror with a towel. I'm seriously thinking about getting a towel to cover the mirror. Not only so I don't see the spots, which at times I could care less about, but to prevent me from seeing what I think are unsightly body parts staring back at me. The love handles that look like a spare tyre, the pear shaped body that shouldn't look like so much like a pear. Oh I know I probably wont place a towel over the mirror and I am so thankful that the mirror isn't full length. In fact I am just glad that the only mirror we have in the house is in the bathroom. To me a mirror is just as bad as a camera .. you just don't need them around you to remind you of what you really look like.
Silly I know but that is just my thinking!
It truly makes me grateful that Mark doesn't worry about how my body looks. He's never said anything about it and I don't know what he thinks of it. All I know is that he loves me and for now that is all I need to know. To feel loved is a wonderful thing.
A good friend, and fellow P sufferer, Debi, mentioned once in chat about using a red light globe in the bathroom so that we didn't have to see our red spots or that we should cover up the mirror with a towel. I'm seriously thinking about getting a towel to cover the mirror. Not only so I don't see the spots, which at times I could care less about, but to prevent me from seeing what I think are unsightly body parts staring back at me. The love handles that look like a spare tyre, the pear shaped body that shouldn't look like so much like a pear. Oh I know I probably wont place a towel over the mirror and I am so thankful that the mirror isn't full length. In fact I am just glad that the only mirror we have in the house is in the bathroom. To me a mirror is just as bad as a camera .. you just don't need them around you to remind you of what you really look like.
Silly I know but that is just my thinking!
It truly makes me grateful that Mark doesn't worry about how my body looks. He's never said anything about it and I don't know what he thinks of it. All I know is that he loves me and for now that is all I need to know. To feel loved is a wonderful thing.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
The New Stuff
I've only been using the new stuff (Nivea) for a few days so I know it's only days yet but I haven't really noticed any changes yet in my face. The only thing I have noticed is that my face is extra red after I have used the cleansing gel; however I've noticed that my face tends to get redder after washing it normally any way.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
I Won Some Skincare Products
I went to the Nivea website last week after checking out another website (shopfree.com.au) that has free stuff & links to give aways, at least I think it was that site I got the link from. Anyway to cut a long story short I clicked on a link where you could possibly receive some nivea visage products. Within 24 hours of my completing the form that they you need to fill in & telling them why I would like to win a pack. I received an email stating that I had won a pack. It arrived in the mail today.
The pack included Oxygen Power Skin Care Systems Reviving Cleansing Gel, Reviving Day Cream & Reviving Night Cream.
How did they choose me? Well basically I told them that I have psoriasis on my face and that I have trouble finding products that help my skin clear up. It was as simple as that.
So tonight I have a new set of products to test and see if they help. I hope they do something positive for my face. I am so tired of seeing red blotches everywhere!!
The pack included Oxygen Power Skin Care Systems Reviving Cleansing Gel, Reviving Day Cream & Reviving Night Cream.
How did they choose me? Well basically I told them that I have psoriasis on my face and that I have trouble finding products that help my skin clear up. It was as simple as that.
So tonight I have a new set of products to test and see if they help. I hope they do something positive for my face. I am so tired of seeing red blotches everywhere!!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
New P Blog
There's another New P blog over at Health Talk. This time it has a males perspective on things. The Blogger is Howard Cheng. It's really interesting to read.
Interesting Articles/Questions at HealthTalk
I found two really interesting articles/questions over at the Health Talk site
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