Psoriasis: A Review

Not everyone who has psoriasis will also be diagnosed as having psoriatic arthritis. However, anyone with a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis will have some amount of psoriasis to contend with during their battle with the illness. It can be a simple spot the size of a dime on a kneecap or large patches that cover a limb, back or scalp. While the psoriasis may not be contagious or nothing more than a nuisance with the itching, it can cause a lot of problems with a person's self-esteem and interactions with other people who know little or nothing about the disease itself.

When I was first diagnosed with PsA, I was fortunate that most of the psoriasis was contained to the area behind my ears and a small spot on my right knee.Over the years, I have tried many of the over-the-counter creams, ointments, soaps and shampoos. The rheumy has even given me scripts for prescription strength ointments to keep the psoriasis under control. A lot of them have worked on and off over the years but nothing worked full-time to clear up the patches until I began taking shots of Enbrel on a weekly basis. I had such a reprieve from the pain, stiffness and itching from both the psoriasis and the arthritis. When my husband was laid off, we couldn't afford the Enbrel on our own so I had to stop. It was also around the time that doctors discovered the first blood clot in my lung. In the end, it was back to the drawing board.

Right now, I've not been doing a lot to get my psoriasis under control. The patches have been growing. My scalp is now covered and the one on my knee now covers the entire knee area. I have noticed another patch on my left knee, right elbow and a very small spot on the outside of my right thigh. If they continue to get worse or any of my symptoms continue to intensify, I will have to face a choice of being put back onto a biologic or simply suffering until we can afford to do otherwise.

When I began this blog, I wrote an indepth article on psoriasis. I'll post the link here -> Click here.

I hope that it's helps to get the word out about psoriasis. I'm actually glad to see commercials on television now for Fibromyalgia, Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis. It's sorta like a big "see, I wasn't faking" button. For now, I leave you to the reading and I shall be making scarves.

Until next time,
Kay