Psoriasis

Calmcookie84

Hi everyone, I have scalp psoriasis which I have under control with Dovobet. I have patches of psoriasis on the inner corners of my eyelids that I cannot manage. I have tried all manner or moisturisers but nothing helps. Does anyone have any suggestions?

rubadub

Calmcookie84 wrote: »

I have patches of psoriasis on the inner corners of my eyelids that I cannot manage. I have tried all manner or moisturisers but nothing helps. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I have it in the same place the odd time and use dovonex, the steroid free OTC version of dovobet, I would never use steroid creams on my face. Dovonex does have warnings about usage on the face. I dilute it into vaseline or sudocrem and use it very sparingly. I also try to get out in the sun, it does wonders for it.

Dovonex has made my face red where applied, it makes the skin more photosensitive and I think it was effectively making it more prone to getting sunburn. I am not certain but it was redder when out in the sun, and did not go red other times I used it. The redness only lasted a day or so.

There is a prescription cream called silkis which is said to be suitable for the face.

Calmcookie84

rubadub wrote: »

I have it in the same place the odd time and use dovonex, the steroid free OTC version of dovobet, I would never use steroid creams on my face. Dovonex does have warnings about usage on the face. I dilute it into vaseline or sudocrem and use it very sparingly. I also try to get out in the sun, it does wonders for it.

Dovonex has made my face red where applied, it makes the skin more photosensitive and I think it was effectively making it more prone to getting sunburn. I am not certain but it was redder when out in the sun, and did not go red other times I used it. The redness only lasted a day or so.

There is a prescription cream called silkis which is said to be suitable for the face.

Thanks for the suggestion. I used to use a steroid cream prescribed by my doctor but it only worked short term and I was never 100% comfortable using it. I’ll give the Dovonex a go. It’s driving me mad and it’s so itchy 😀

rubadub

Calmcookie84 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion. I used to use a steroid cream prescribed by my doctor but it only worked short term and I was never 100% comfortable using it. I’ll give the Dovonex a go. It’s driving me mad and it’s so itchy ��

if you are going to the doctor frequently then I would try the silkis before dovonex.

I just happened to have dovonex and tried it, as it was OTC so I was not forking out for a prescription.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-173493/Cream-save-faces-psoriasis.html

Dr Shernaz Walton, a consultant dermatologist at the Princess Royal Hospital in Hull, says: 'A lot of patients like Lindsey get psoriasis on the face or sensitive parts of the body where it is not advisable to use most of the current drugs.
'Silkis contains a synthetic form of vitamin-D but, unlike the other drugs, it is very gentle on the face and leaves it silky once the scales of psoriasis have gone away.'
In a trial comparing Silkis with another vitamin D drug, Dovonex, those who treated their facial psoriasis with Dovonex suffered severe reddening and inflammation. Patients using Silkis have had few problems.

mine was certainly not severe reddening, I wonder how much they applied, or maybe I was just lucky. Also I did mix mine with sudocrem sometimes, or apply sudocrem at night which may lessen reddening. In the morning there are scales and it all just rubs off cleanly.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Hey maybe someone could help
I’m 29, so still young. I have hypothyroidism (hashimotos) and psoriasis, (moderate nothing aggressive). About two years ago I started to get a pain in my knuckle of my right index finger. The dr had an X-ray done and concluded it was a sprain and would heal. It never did. It was the only thing for a good year. Last year my feet and ankles started playing up. Struggled to move my toes, soles of feet couldn’t have been more sensitive. My feet got so bad I couldn’t wear any kind of nice shoe, no heels no wedges nothing with a thin sole. Even slipping my foot into a heeled shoe would actually have me buckle at my knees from pain. Can’t stand on tip toes to reach anything. Some days I’m perfect but most days I’m not. It then went into my left elbow and I have lost strength lifting or pulling. Since feb the week of the snow it’s all my fingers on my right hand they’re extremely swollen they’re sore I can’t bend them I can’t close my hand, it hasn’t improved at all since then. Sometimes it’s not as bad as It could be but it’s always sore, sometimes even waking me up. In the past week it’s my knees my shoulders my hips and my back, feels like my lungs with short stabbing pains into my chest. I’ve been to drs and told it’s a) my thyroid b) lack of vit d c) rumathoid arthritis d) psoriasis arthritis. No real concern or treatment or indeed a conclusive diagnosis. All I know is I’m 29, can’t brush my hair can’t hold a knife to cut onions can’t grip steering wheel can’t lift or carry can’t turn off stubborn tap, sore all over and no answers. I’m waiting for an app with rumathology which I’m hoping will be quick, bloods done and inflammatory markers aren’t abnormal but esr is raised (42). Is this psoriasis? I can’t cope, what do I do

brevity

Yea, sounds like psoriatic arthritis or even just plain arthritis.

You might need a number of blood tests done... methotrexate or Humira are some of the drugs that could help but they are hard on the system.

Can you think of anything that might have set it off? Changes in lifestyle or personal issues?

Mountainsandh

Grace Thoughtless Mortal wrote: »

Hey maybe someone could help
I’m 29, so still young. I have hypothyroidism (hashimotos) and psoriasis, (moderate nothing aggressive). About two years ago I started to get a pain in my knuckle of my right index finger. The dr had an X-ray done and concluded it was a sprain and would heal. It never did. It was the only thing for a good year. Last year my feet and ankles started playing up. Struggled to move my toes, soles of feet couldn’t have been more sensitive. My feet got so bad I couldn’t wear any kind of nice shoe, no heels no wedges nothing with a thin sole. Even slipping my foot into a heeled shoe would actually have me buckle at my knees from pain. Can’t stand on tip toes to reach anything. Some days I’m perfect but most days I’m not. It then went into my left elbow and I have lost strength lifting or pulling. Since feb the week of the snow it’s all my fingers on my right hand they’re extremely swollen they’re sore I can’t bend them I can’t close my hand, it hasn’t improved at all since then. Sometimes it’s not as bad as It could be but it’s always sore, sometimes even waking me up. In the past week it’s my knees my shoulders my hips and my back, feels like my lungs with short stabbing pains into my chest. I’ve been to drs and told it’s a) my thyroid b) lack of vit d c) rumathoid arthritis d) psoriasis arthritis. No real concern or treatment or indeed a conclusive diagnosis. All I know is I’m 29, can’t brush my hair can’t hold a knife to cut onions can’t grip steering wheel can’t lift or carry can’t turn off stubborn tap, sore all over and no answers. I’m waiting for an app with rumathology which I’m hoping will be quick, bloods done and inflammatory markers aren’t abnormal but esr is raised (42). Is this psoriasis? I can’t cope, what do I do

All that you're describing sounds very familiar shoesdayschild, and I'm really sorry you're in that bad place, I know it too well.
Only the rheumatologist can tell you what it is I guess.

Esr raised consistently over several blood tests would probably be more convincing for them. (My esr was between moderately elevated and the dangerous threshold _ >60 _ over repeated blood tests so I think they could have been in trouble disregarding it)

Maybe the Hashimoto is confusing things for them ?

Tell the rheumy how you feel, how you can't function, I wish you well and I hope you get to the bottom of it with the rheumy.
It's a shame sometimes in Ireland you really have to insist before you're taken seriously.

I wish I had put 2 and 2 and fought my corner like you when I was younger (I'm 45 and only recently diagnosed).

eeloe

anyone have any idea how long on average you would be waiting for an appoinment with Professor Kirby in St.Vincents?

I'm having a severe out break the last couple of weeks, and i need to get this sorted ASAP, currently looking like 2.5 years public, or 4 months private down here in Waterford at the moment.

Gael23

eeloe wrote: »

anyone have any idea how long on average you would be waiting for an appoinment with Professor Kirby in St.Vincents?

I'm having a severe out break the last couple of weeks, and i need to get this sorted ASAP, currently looking like 2.5 years public, or 4 months private down here in Waterford at the moment.

When I went to Professor Kirby it was a year public and 4 months private. That was close to 3 years ago so could be less now there’s someone in ardkeen

eeloe

Gael23 wrote: »

When I went to Professor Kirby it was a year public and 4 months private. That was close to 3 years ago so could be less now there’s someone in ardkeen

I was speaking to his secretary this morning, got my referral letter sent up.

She said I could see him in July.

How did you find him? What way did the treatment go?

charleville

Just to update on my situation...

If you are going to a GP about your psoriasis or you are (even slightly) concerned about any kind of psoriatic arthritis issues then let me tell you straight that the majority of gp’s DO NOT know very much about the arthritis side of psoriasis, or they know minimum details and can easily dismiss you.

I went to my Gp with unusual back and neck pains and he tested me for a range of things including multiple myeloma cancer, as he said that I didn’t and wasn’t showing ‘signs’ of psoriatic arthritis (sausage fingers etc), that along with some other things (I’m a generally healthy 38 year old, don’t smoke, don’t drink much and otherwise healthy)

My crp was elevated and I quickly ended up in hospital the next day for further investigation as my back was getting worse and worse (all while I was awaiting blood tests from Gp still), upon admission at the hospital they suspected a fractured vertebrae after a quick X-ray which was possibly caused by osteoporosis from the years of using steroid creams (I never knew years of using steroid creams could thin your bones, which I found out), and also confirmed that it could still have been cancer.. thankfully I was private and they got straight to more testing.

Traumatic to say the least... the stress of not knowing and waiting was worse than anything.

When everything came back it wasn’t cancer, it wasn’t osteoporosis and the fractured vertebrae was confirmed to be over 18 months old (could have happened many years ago) but after almost 2 weeks in hospital the head consultant confirmed in her opinion that it is
“psoriatic spondyloarthropathy”

I now have to wait until Early December to see a specialist where I am (privately), as his waiting list is that long, so currently on steroids with weekly weaning down etc, on cancellation list so hoping sooner, he’s the only guy I want to see as I’ve been recommended to him and I know my condition is long term and on going so for me I want the right care.

For anyone reading I advise this :
Your GP is only a gateway between you and a specialist, don’t take his/her word for anything as they are just not up to date on this kind of arthritis, say what you like but that’s a fact!
In my gp’s 35-40 years in practice (and I like my gp he’s s good guy) but I am the first case he has seen of my type, so this will tell you they only know the minimum facts about psoriasis.

If you use steroid creams constantly.. then stop! They thin the bones over the years and can cause osteoporosis, I found that information out as above, I think most of us know they’re not good anyway.

Get yourself a HLA-B27 blood test done (you can ask Gp about this) as psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, If you want to know why then read this -
https://www.healthline.com/health/hla-b27-antigen

Get your CRP levels checked (again blood test), this will show inflammation in the body.
If you suspect anything well then just go and ask about these tests, it will confirm or delete any concerns you have quickly and know if you need to investigate further (see rheumy) or not, don’t leave it too late as psa is a disabilitating disease but it can be stopped if and when treated early.

I’ll update more when I get to see my rheumatologist, if anyone is interested in my journey or if I can help you in any way then I am happy to post here.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Would be definitely interested in hearing about it.

Phil1969

Mountainsandh wrote: »

Hi Phil, yes in my case, I had to mention psoriatic arthritis to the GP, and ask if I could be referred to a rheumatologist.

Although in fairness the GPs themselves had mentioned a referral to the rheumy's some years previous, but as they hadn't explained any link between possible arthritic pains and psoriasis, and they hadn't even mentioned psoriatic arthritis, I didn't get how important it might be and let it fly.

I'm not sure how aware of psoriatic arthritis GPs are (mine, at least), and even when they are aware, I think it's just not something they think to mention and question patients about.

The GP did up to date blood tests, just so I'd have them for the rheumy, a letter obviously outlining ongoing and past concerns, and then it was all in the hands of rheumatologist.

I had to go private as the waiting list was just ridiculous for my area.

Thanks Moutainsandh and sorry for late response, somehow missed this.

I have since been to see GP, and he ran some blood tests for me including Rheumatoid arthritis and the inflammation marker test plus numerous other blood tests. My results all came back as "acceptable", my Rheumatoid arthritis test came back as "no evidence" of showing RA.

Having done a little more research on Psoriatic arthritis, it seems there is no blood test for it and that other types of arthritis have to be ruled to pin point PA. I have also read that normally PA would show swollen joints as well as the pain and also pitted nails (my nails are have been badly pitted in the past but not as bad now).

Anyway, after the GP visit, I started doing some research about getting back to health without drugs :eek: So, on the 26th May, I decided to drastically change my diet for 30 days to see if it made at difference and basically so far so good. My Psoriasis is slowly starting to improve, I had a few small patches that have started to clear up so very promising, my pain in my joints are not as bad (whatever is causing it) as they normally are. I have lost 3kgs in 2 weeks!! And, my BP has dropped so much that my GP has said I can come off the BP medication It has only been 2 weeks but showing great potential. My diet is revolving around potatoes!! I have cut out a lot of foods so it is very drastic measure but maybe worth it for better health, I will wait and see how it goes.

Thanks again.

rizzee

Has anyone used Vaseline Intensive care Aloe Soothe on their skin? I'm using it the last 2 days, goes on a lot better than Silcocks base and doesn't feel sticky afterwards. Dropped the Dovobet to once or twice a week, it doesn't seem to be doing anything now. I'm off into the sun in 2 weeks so i'm hoping with that and sea water i'll be a bit fresher when back.

razorblunt

Calmcookie84 wrote: »

Hi everyone, I have scalp psoriasis which I have under control with Dovobet. I have patches of psoriasis on the inner corners of my eyelids that I cannot manage. I have tried all manner or moisturisers but nothing helps. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Is Dovobet over the counter?

I have scalp psoriasis, at my crown and I found using Farm Gate baby's shampoo really, really helps it.

rizzee

Calmcookie84 wrote: »

Hi everyone, I have scalp psoriasis which I have under control with Dovobet. I have patches of psoriasis on the inner corners of my eyelids that I cannot manage. I have tried all manner or moisturisers but nothing helps. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm in the same boat. Just under the fringe and inside one eye. I've used dovobet on them ( I know I shouldn't in that area ) and it works, then comes back. I find the sun really good (-obviously-) and wash face with silcocks base. Stay well hydrated. I find the face and scalp hardest to keep under control which is why I always resorted to using Dovobet on it as nothing else had as good a result. Probably doing more harm long term ''staining'' the skin due to the strength of the gel though..

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

This is not medical advice so don’t do it without checking with a chemist or a GP but when I put the dovobet on my scalp I dab the bare remains of it on the bits around my eye. The dr told me to put hydrocortisone on it before. But I didn’t find it helped much

rubadub

razorblunt wrote: »

Is Dovobet over the counter?

no, dovonex is OTC which is the steroid free version of dovobet.

You might be asked loads of questions when buying it.

razorblunt

rubadub wrote: »

no, dovonex is OTC which is the steroid free version of dovobet.

You might be asked loads of questions when buying it.

Thanks, that shampoo I mentioned really has a grip on it now but if it flares up I'll take a look at it.

Gael23

I’m having good success with Tgel shampoo on my scalp. I would have thought Dovobet would be too thick for that area.

eeloe

Just got my appointment for Professor Kirby for mid-late July.

hopefully this'll be the beginning of the end for my psoriasis.

Phil1969

Eventually got my hands on some Enstilar, I have heard people have great success with this stuff so I will see how it goes.

brevity

I had to go back to the dermatologist as the Humira stopped being effective and she is going to start me on Stelara. She seemed to think it's a good option for me.

Once I have my bloods done then I'm good to go.

Anyone on Stelara?

Robin132

Can I ask the people on methotrexate, how often do you get your bloods done?

Robin132

Double post, sorry

Mountainsandh

Robin132 wrote: »

Can I ask the people on methotrexate, how often do you get your bloods done?

For the first 3 months, I had to get them done every second week, now it's once a month.

Gael23

Phil1969 wrote: »

Eventually got my hands on some Enstilar, I have heard people have great success with this stuff so I will see how it goes.

Enstillar has the same ingredients as Dovobet. Never used it myself

Phil1969

Gael23 wrote: »

Enstillar has the same ingredients as Dovobet. Never used it myself

Interesting, I did not realise that and now looking at the results, it looks very similar to dovobet which for me is not that impressive. It seems to dry my skin out and make it a bit smoother but it is not clearing it yet.

I seem to be having better results with my diet change. I will continue with both and see how it goes.

eeloe

Phil1969 wrote: »

Interesting, I did not realise that and now looking at the results, it looks very similar to dovobet which for me is not that impressive. It seems to dry my skin out and make it a bit smoother but it is not clearing it yet.

I seem to be having better results with my diet change. I will continue with both and see how it goes.

I was using enstilar for the last year or so, and to be honest it did work on my elbows, everywhere else not so much.

Back on Dovobet at the moment, and it's not really doing much.

Nearly ended up in hospital at the weekend, my right leg got really bad in the heat, ended up weeping and just being really flared up. 6hr wait in A&E when i rang, so i just went to the caredoc and he gave me antibiotics.

The heat is really doing me no favours.

Call Me Jimmy

Sorry to hear that. I thought the sun would have a good effect on my skin but its broken out so bad (not because of the sun). I've gotten into the vicious cycle of steroids because its gotten out of control. Doctors say nothing but steroids and moisturisers, I feel like over time its having a swelling effect, anyone else experience that with steroids? I've kind of lost hope and just live the fact that I now have permanent red blobs on my face.