Question:
Hi! My name is Sandi and I live in Michigan.
I am a mom with three kids. My daughters are 20 and 19 and my son is 8. My husband is a lot younger then me and a member of the Michigan National Guard. His recent deployment to the desert is what brings me to this board.
I am a dog person and have spent a considerable amount of time studying canine behaviour and I know a bit about canine nutrition.
I was first diagnosed with psoriasis when I was in my 20's but the doctor I had then treated it rather aggressively so it was controlled rather quickly and I haven't really had many problems until recently.
I am now smack dab in the middle of the worst outbreak that I have had in my life and I have no medical insurance so I am really hoping to find some help that isn't going to break the bank.
I have one really bad spot in the middle of my back and I have small bug bite size spots all over. My scalp is pretty bad, judging from the amount of itching - it is hard to see underneath the long blondish hair. And for the first time ever, I have a couple of spots on my eyelids!
Anyway - I am a forum junkie and am looking forward to making new friends and learning new things.
hi Sandi,
welcome. Sorry to hear that your husband is away, I'm sure that the stress of him being so far away isn't helping matters much for you.
You might want to check out the links for treatment options and also for some medical help.
here are a few links for you to look at;
Good luck and I love animals.. :)
Karen
The people here are helpful. I don't have the answers to your needs. I am not as educated in matters of p as I would like to be. In me you'll get my undying support.
A recommendation though. You should post this thread on the living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis forum. Such a question as yours is better suited to that forum.
Also consider joining some of us in the chat room on occassion. Its not used as often as I would like (yes, I am selfish I know. LOL!) but still it does get used.
Take care and I hope you feel better. Oh by the way, I graduated from Michigan State University, lived in Kalamazoo for some time, and visited Jackson, Grand Haven and South Haven, Quincy, and Fenton. That and I know where Ted Nugent and Bob Seager lives. ROCK ON!
Hi Sandi,
Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time and that you don't have insurance. :(
Please thank your husband for me! I think that it's a wonderful think that he's doing. (Alhough I'm sure that the stress of his deployment is contributing to your outbreak.)
It's possible that you have some sort of infection and don't even know it because you are asymptomatic. Although just about any infection can trigger strep, more then a few people have posted here that either their psoriasis or their child's psoriasis was either triggered by or gets worse when the have a strep infection. Many of these same people have also posted that a psoriasis outbreak is often the only sign that they have strep because they didn't have a sore throat of fever. To further add insult to injury, many of these same people also report that their psoriasis won't respond to treatment until the strep is successfully treated. You might want to consider getting a strep test. Insist on a culture, because the so called "quick test" is sometimes unreliable. some people have to get a blood test (called an ASO blood test) to confirm that they have strep. Here's the links to some previous discussions on the subject:
; (The ASO test is mentioned in this thread.)
;
;
.
A year or so ago, Leslie (screen name: Momtotwogirls) took the time to post some information and links to some sites that offer assistance to people who either don't have insurance or are under insured. I added links and information to other assistance programs that people have either told me about or that have been discussed here on the Board. We don't know much about most of these programs, but is still can't hurt to check them out. Here's a link to Leslie's thread: .
Several people who post here got assistance for a very expensive medication called Enbrel (www.enbrel.com or http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/...s/enb1159.shtml) thanks to a program called the ENcourage Foundation (http://www.encouragefoundation.com/). The ENcourage Foundation is sponsored by the people who make Enbrel. From what I understand, just about every major drug company has some sort of assistance program. (You'll find some information about some of these other programs in this post from Alyssa Brown from the NPF's staff: .) There's some links about the ENcourage Foundation in Leslie's thread.
At least two people who sometimes post here got assistance for some very expensive medications thanks to a program called www.needymeds.com. It sounds like a scam site, but you'll find links to their stories in Leslie's thread.
If you do manage to get to a dermatolgist, please remember to ask for some samples of whatever meds he or she is prescribing.
Here's a couple of suggestions for over the counter medications that you might want to try:
For the awful itch that often accompanies psoriasis, you can try:
Mike
Hi Sandi and welcome,
Sorry you are having a bad time.
Is your husband on active duty? If so, you should be able to have medical care through the military. Check it out.
Mike - thank you so much for all of the links and info! While it might take me a bit to wade through it all - I am sure that some of it - if not all of it - will be useful. I think that my scalp is making me the craziest, I grew all of this lovely long hair for my husband and it always looks awful now! It breaks my heart.
I am sorry, I was not very clear. My DH returned home in June. I made it through most of his deployment just fine, but started having p related issues as it came closer to the time for him to come home. I know that he won't ever share with me everything that he went through over there, but what he has told me is truly horrendous. I was really worried about putting our family back together.
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.
Hi Sandi and welcome!! It is great to have you with us!
Looks like you have already received a ton of great advice! I will still through in my 2 cents though :D
For the scalp, tar shampoos have always helped me. They reduce the itching and flaking. Maybe even try pain ol' head and shoulders. If you can get a prescription, Dovonex (sp???) always worked great on my scalp. I have always had mild to moderate scalp p. So not sure if these work for severe scalp p. Then again it is important to remember what works for one person does not mean it will work for the next. So don't get discouraged if something doesn't work. It's just the nature of the beast, so to speak.
For the p on your face maybe you could hit a tanning booth for a few minutes. This has worked for me at times if the spots were small enough. It seems to dry up those patches and clear them up. Well, those are my tips.
I hope all works out with you and you husband. No one but them will truly know what those men and women have gone through in Iraq. My heart aches for the trauma they have been subjected to.
Good Luck Sandi and we are all here for you if you need us :)
Sandi,
Oh, how I understand what you are going through.... My first flare was brought on by my Dad being deployed during the Gulf War. He is now retired, but during that time he was the Lt. Col of the 144th MP Company.
1st - welcome!!
2nd - thank you for the sacrifices you and your family have made in the name of freedom!!!
3rd - not sure this will help a whole ton, but below is a thread for people trying to conceive with P & PA. As many of us cannot or rephrase are choosing not to use medicine right now, we are working through what we can do to survive this exciting and stressful time.
This place is great & I hope you find it as wonderful as I have!!! Good Luck!!
Sandi,
I just wanted to say hello and welcome. You already got a lot of good advice. Hope to see you around here.
Polly
hi sandi,
welcome to the p family and you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to met you
have a good night all
richard
I spent about $40 without insurance on derma-smothe by prescription for my scalp P. It helps when I have a break out. Hope this helps. Welcome to the forum.
Hello, Sandi
Greetings from another Michigander - I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Sorry to hear about the flare you're going through.
I know you've gotten lots of great info already, I just wanted to say Welcome...
Doug
Hi Sandi,
Welcome to the boards! The people here are wonderful! I also have scalp P. I use T-Gel and Derma-Smooth. The Derma-Smooth is great for softening up really hard scalp plaques. Working it in and then wearing a shower cap to bed isn't exactly my idea or fun (my DH assures me I look VERY sexy in it though ;) ), but I haven't lost large amounts of hair in months.
Victoria
Just wanted to say welcome too!
Jen
I am a mom with three kids. My daughters are 20 and 19 and my son is 8. My husband is a lot younger then me and a member of the Michigan National Guard. His recent deployment to the desert is what brings me to this board.
I am a dog person and have spent a considerable amount of time studying canine behaviour and I know a bit about canine nutrition.
I was first diagnosed with psoriasis when I was in my 20's but the doctor I had then treated it rather aggressively so it was controlled rather quickly and I haven't really had many problems until recently.
I am now smack dab in the middle of the worst outbreak that I have had in my life and I have no medical insurance so I am really hoping to find some help that isn't going to break the bank.
I have one really bad spot in the middle of my back and I have small bug bite size spots all over. My scalp is pretty bad, judging from the amount of itching - it is hard to see underneath the long blondish hair. And for the first time ever, I have a couple of spots on my eyelids!
Anyway - I am a forum junkie and am looking forward to making new friends and learning new things.
Answers:
hi Sandi,
welcome. Sorry to hear that your husband is away, I'm sure that the stress of him being so far away isn't helping matters much for you.
You might want to check out the links for treatment options and also for some medical help.
here are a few links for you to look at;
Good luck and I love animals.. :)
Karen
Answers:
The people here are helpful. I don't have the answers to your needs. I am not as educated in matters of p as I would like to be. In me you'll get my undying support.
A recommendation though. You should post this thread on the living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis forum. Such a question as yours is better suited to that forum.
Also consider joining some of us in the chat room on occassion. Its not used as often as I would like (yes, I am selfish I know. LOL!) but still it does get used.
Take care and I hope you feel better. Oh by the way, I graduated from Michigan State University, lived in Kalamazoo for some time, and visited Jackson, Grand Haven and South Haven, Quincy, and Fenton. That and I know where Ted Nugent and Bob Seager lives. ROCK ON!
Answers:
Hi Sandi,
Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time and that you don't have insurance. :(
Please thank your husband for me! I think that it's a wonderful think that he's doing. (Alhough I'm sure that the stress of his deployment is contributing to your outbreak.)
It's possible that you have some sort of infection and don't even know it because you are asymptomatic. Although just about any infection can trigger strep, more then a few people have posted here that either their psoriasis or their child's psoriasis was either triggered by or gets worse when the have a strep infection. Many of these same people have also posted that a psoriasis outbreak is often the only sign that they have strep because they didn't have a sore throat of fever. To further add insult to injury, many of these same people also report that their psoriasis won't respond to treatment until the strep is successfully treated. You might want to consider getting a strep test. Insist on a culture, because the so called "quick test" is sometimes unreliable. some people have to get a blood test (called an ASO blood test) to confirm that they have strep. Here's the links to some previous discussions on the subject:
; (The ASO test is mentioned in this thread.)
;
;
.
A year or so ago, Leslie (screen name: Momtotwogirls) took the time to post some information and links to some sites that offer assistance to people who either don't have insurance or are under insured. I added links and information to other assistance programs that people have either told me about or that have been discussed here on the Board. We don't know much about most of these programs, but is still can't hurt to check them out. Here's a link to Leslie's thread: .
Several people who post here got assistance for a very expensive medication called Enbrel (www.enbrel.com or http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/...s/enb1159.shtml) thanks to a program called the ENcourage Foundation (http://www.encouragefoundation.com/). The ENcourage Foundation is sponsored by the people who make Enbrel. From what I understand, just about every major drug company has some sort of assistance program. (You'll find some information about some of these other programs in this post from Alyssa Brown from the NPF's staff: .) There's some links about the ENcourage Foundation in Leslie's thread.
At least two people who sometimes post here got assistance for some very expensive medications thanks to a program called www.needymeds.com. It sounds like a scam site, but you'll find links to their stories in Leslie's thread.
If you do manage to get to a dermatolgist, please remember to ask for some samples of whatever meds he or she is prescribing.
Here's a couple of suggestions for over the counter medications that you might want to try:
- MG217 (www.mg217.com) makes an ointment and a shampoo that are available in two formulas -- one with coal tar and one with salicylic acid. They also make a lotion that has coal tar in it. Coal tar has been used to treat psoriasis for many, many years and salicylic acid is one of the few doctor approved methods for removing scales. (You have to be careful when you use any product with salicylic acid. I burnt myself when I used the salicylic acid version of MG217 for too many days in a row.) Here in New Jersey, the coal tar version of both MG217 ointment and MG217 shampoo is available at just about every chain type drug stores. The shampoo is almost always located with the other dandruff shampoos. The ointment is sometimes with the other creams and lotions, and sometimes with the first aid stuff and sometimes in a special psoriasis section. Ask if you can't find it. Again, here in New Jersey, MG217 lotion, and the salicylic acid version MG217 shampoo seems to be available by special order only. The salicylic acid version of MG217 ointment seems to be available only at Walgreen's.
- Dermarest (www.dermarest.com) makes a lotion and shampoo that has salicylic acid in it.
- Psoriasin makes several products that you can also try. I've seen them at Walgreen's. Here's a link for some additional info: http://www.alva-amco.com/pages/psoriasin.php. And here's a link to a some previous discussions about Psoriasin products: ;
; . - You can also try taking a bath with a product like Aveeno Oatmeal Soak (http://www.aveeno.com/detailAction.do?id=3689). It will help soften the scales and relieve the itch. Cheaper store brands are available.
- You can also try taking a bath with Balnetar. Balnetar is an over the counter product that is available only by special order at most drug stores. As it's name implies, Balnetar is coal tar based. Because it is coal tar based, it stains everything and the stains can be hard to get out. Scub the tub immediately after use and use old towels and wear old clothes when you use it. Despite these problems, it can be a highly effective weapon in the war against psoriasis. I've never been able to find a website for Balnetar, so I'm going to give you a link to a site that sells it online. I've NEVER ordered anything from them, so I have no idea how reliable they are. I'm giving you the link because their descriptoin of Balnetar is a good one. Here's the link: http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/br...2746DB41D 0%7D.
- If you have psoriasis in places like your underarms and crotch, you can try using Desitin. (That's right the diaper rash cream.) Here's a link to a previous discussion of about Desitin: and here's a link to the Desitin product that they were suggesting: http://www.desitin.com/en/?dsp=22&psp=20.
- For you scalp, you can use the MG217 or Dermarest shampoos that I previously mentioned. You can also use either Neutrogena/T-Gel (coal tar) or Neutrogena/T-Sal (salicylic acid). Both Neutrogena products come in several strenghts. Here's a link for some additional information: http://www.neutrogena.com/ProductsLine_7_3.asp. A lot of people who post here use Paul Mitchell's tree tree oil shampoo and/or condtioner. It's very soothing. It's on the pricey side. Here's a link: http://www.paulmitchell.com/site/su...section=2,10,32. I was told that Paul Mitchell products could only be found at beauty supply stores, but I was able to find both the shampoo and conditioner at a New York area chain type drug store. You can also try Bakers P&S Oil. You apply it to your scalp and leave it on -- covered by a shower cap -- for several hours. It can be very messy and it's very hard to get used to, but it can also be a very effective weapon in the war against scalp psoriasis. Baker P&S oil is another one of those over the counter products that has to be special ordered by the drug store. I've never been able find a website for Baker's P&S oil. Fortunately, the same website that sells Balnetar also sells Baker's P&S oil. Again, I know NOTHING about them, but their description of it is a good one. Here's the link: http://www.dermadoctor.com/product....D&productid=206.
For the awful itch that often accompanies psoriasis, you can try:
- Corn Starch;
- Ice packs;
- Benadryl; and
- Anti-itch powders creams and lotions such as Gold Bond. (I usually buy store brands.) My current favorite is Eucerin Itch-Relief Moisturizing Spray. I like it a lot. It's easy to apply because it's a spray and it really does help to relieve the itch. Here's a link for some additional information: http://www.eucerinus.com/medicalsit.../anti-itch.html. You can also Neutrogena Anti-Itch Moisturizer (http://www.neutrogena.com/ProductsDetails_36.asp). It has lidocaine in it.
Mike
Answers:
Hi Sandi and welcome,
Sorry you are having a bad time.
Is your husband on active duty? If so, you should be able to have medical care through the military. Check it out.
Answers:
Mike - thank you so much for all of the links and info! While it might take me a bit to wade through it all - I am sure that some of it - if not all of it - will be useful. I think that my scalp is making me the craziest, I grew all of this lovely long hair for my husband and it always looks awful now! It breaks my heart.
I am sorry, I was not very clear. My DH returned home in June. I made it through most of his deployment just fine, but started having p related issues as it came closer to the time for him to come home. I know that he won't ever share with me everything that he went through over there, but what he has told me is truly horrendous. I was really worried about putting our family back together.
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.
Answers:
Hi Sandi and welcome!! It is great to have you with us!
Looks like you have already received a ton of great advice! I will still through in my 2 cents though :D
For the scalp, tar shampoos have always helped me. They reduce the itching and flaking. Maybe even try pain ol' head and shoulders. If you can get a prescription, Dovonex (sp???) always worked great on my scalp. I have always had mild to moderate scalp p. So not sure if these work for severe scalp p. Then again it is important to remember what works for one person does not mean it will work for the next. So don't get discouraged if something doesn't work. It's just the nature of the beast, so to speak.
For the p on your face maybe you could hit a tanning booth for a few minutes. This has worked for me at times if the spots were small enough. It seems to dry up those patches and clear them up. Well, those are my tips.
I hope all works out with you and you husband. No one but them will truly know what those men and women have gone through in Iraq. My heart aches for the trauma they have been subjected to.
Good Luck Sandi and we are all here for you if you need us :)
Answers:
Sandi,
Oh, how I understand what you are going through.... My first flare was brought on by my Dad being deployed during the Gulf War. He is now retired, but during that time he was the Lt. Col of the 144th MP Company.
1st - welcome!!
2nd - thank you for the sacrifices you and your family have made in the name of freedom!!!
3rd - not sure this will help a whole ton, but below is a thread for people trying to conceive with P & PA. As many of us cannot or rephrase are choosing not to use medicine right now, we are working through what we can do to survive this exciting and stressful time.
This place is great & I hope you find it as wonderful as I have!!! Good Luck!!
Answers:
Sandi,
I just wanted to say hello and welcome. You already got a lot of good advice. Hope to see you around here.
Polly
Answers:
hi sandi,
welcome to the p family and you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to met you
have a good night all
richard
Answers:
I spent about $40 without insurance on derma-smothe by prescription for my scalp P. It helps when I have a break out. Hope this helps. Welcome to the forum.
Answers:
Hello, Sandi
Greetings from another Michigander - I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Sorry to hear about the flare you're going through.
I know you've gotten lots of great info already, I just wanted to say Welcome...
Doug
Answers:
Hi Sandi,
Welcome to the boards! The people here are wonderful! I also have scalp P. I use T-Gel and Derma-Smooth. The Derma-Smooth is great for softening up really hard scalp plaques. Working it in and then wearing a shower cap to bed isn't exactly my idea or fun (my DH assures me I look VERY sexy in it though ;) ), but I haven't lost large amounts of hair in months.
Victoria
Answers:
Just wanted to say welcome too!
Jen
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