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Hi there, my name is Jody, and I've had psoriasis for the past 12 years. I'm 30 now. It doesn't get any easier for me to deal with, I still feel like a "mutant", even wearing long sleeves and jeans in the summer time...I'm looking for maybe a person or two or however many feel inclined to respond who might be interested in communicating with me, I'm easy to find online, same name on yahoo as here, or email me at sweetheart2672@yahoo.com. I'm just having a difficult time dealing with the way I perceive myself, I have psoriasis all over my body with no access to any sort of medical treatment, and no real idea when I'll be able to afford it...anyway...If anyone wants to talk, hey, I'm around...thanks for listening...hope to make some friends here.


HI Jody........Well you just made your first of many friends from the pfamily!!!!
If you continue to visit the boards you will have many people to talk to. Everyone is so understanding and knowledgable........you will love it here!! :)


Hi Jody!
Welcome to the board! This place is great for information and meeting lots of friendly people.
My name is Kim and I have had p now for 27 years. I am almost 29. I know how you are feeling and especially with wearing long sleeves in the middle of the summer!
Hope to see you around.
Kim


Hi Jody! My name is Jody! Glad to see someone else spelling it RIGHT! :D Welcome to the boards. This is a great place to get emotional support. We sure do know what it feels like. Come here any time to vent your frustrations. That's what it's all about, being able to express yourself to people who understand. And we do. Hope to see a lot of you on the boards!
Jody


hi jody
welcome to the pfamily. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. sorry you are haveing a hard time.
try and have a wonderful day all
richard


Hi Jody:
Welcome to the boards. I'm sorry you are feeling so down right now... we can all relate. I'm glad you found us - hope you get to reading the wealth of knowledge that are these boards - you will see that there are many treatments and coping mechanisms that you can do on your own. Knowledge is power.
Don't be a stranger...
Krista :)


I am 29 years old and have had P for 7-8 years. I have never been 'clear'. I didn't wear a short sleeved shirt to work at all last summer and haven't worn shorts in years. Also haven't been to a pool in years. Although I admire the many people here that are open about their P, I am not. I don't like to talk about it to non-P people even though many of my friends have tried. Where are you from? Let me know if you want my e-mail.


glad you have found us. We are always here and we always listen. Reading through some of the posts here will provide you with some informations on things you can do for your skin without costing you alot. Many people find that baking soda baths work and I know you can pick baking soda up here at the dollar store for $1.00/box (small box I know) but it will do a couple of baths so it would be a start. You can also get some cheap no name brand moisturizers at many local stores and moisturizing is very imp. Just be sure to use a nonscented one as it won't irritate the already sensitive skin. I have heard other talk about apple cider vinigar which can be bought at local grocery stores and baby oil in the bath and on the scalp.
Look through the posts and you will find some very helpful ideas. I am sure someone will be along who will post some links for you to look at as well.
Remember we are all sailing on the same boat and working hard to stay afloat. Keep your chin up and keep in touch. :)
Tammy (Johnathon's Mom)


I'm sorry you are having such a rough time right now. Your right, if you don't have p you wouldn't understand what we are going though.
I am here, if you need to chat. You will find a lot of information here and some great people to talk with. Things will get better.
I have had p for 40 years. I have wore the long sleeves and jeans in 100 degree weather. It makes you feel weird and out of place. But over the years I have learn to love myself and my p. I will try every treatment, creams, shots, pills or whatever is out there to help me.
Just being here on the boards has help me a lot. I have found out so much information that can help me to think very positive about myself and my condition.
There is so much we can do for ourselves. When I first came to this board. I was 90-95% covered. I throught I was on my death bed. Just with people leading me in the right direction and talking to me, I was able to find a treatment that clear me up. I am no longer on that treatment. (that is another story).
See what different foods trigger your p. Does drinking certain things make you break out? Being stress, even the soap powder you wash your clothes with can bother you. There are so many things that we can do to ease our situation, (a little). A good moisturer is very important.
It might not make us 100% clear, but you might get some relief. Just pm me anytime if you ever feel down or just want to chat. I have been there myself and know exactly how you feel.


HI Jody! Welcome. I am new too. My fiancee just recently started have P and PA. I've found that this website is very supportive and useful and people are great! There will be a cure! hang in there.. I'll email you! Take care


Thanks to all of you who have posted kind words, emailed me or added me to their yahoo messenger. It really helps to talk to those who can actually understand how I feel. Ive found it difficult in my community to find anyone willing to help me learn more about treatments I can do at home, and I found this site through a search engine trying to research more about my options outside the medical field. I just couldnt possibly afford a doctor or expensive treatments at this time. So, the home remedies are about it for right now. Thanks for the baking soda idea, I'll try it.


Hi Jody,
Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time. :( Fortunately, you've come to a very special place. As you can see, a lot of nice and helpful people post here. More important, it's great to FINALLY be able to ask questions, vent, exchange info, or even share some laughs with people who truly understand.
You mentioned:I have psoriasis all over my body with no access to any sort of medical treatment, and no real idea when I'll be able to afford it. You might want to check out www.needymeds.com. It sounds like a scam site, but several people have posted here that they've gotten help, with some very expensive medications, thanks to www.needymeds.com. Here's a link to a thread that has two www.needymeds.com success stories in it: . Another poster mentioned -- in passing -- that there was an assistance program called www.helpingpatients.org. I know nothing about them, but it can't hurt to check them out.
There are several over the counter medications that might give you some relief. These medications include:

• MG217 (www.mg217.com) which is available as an ointment, a lotion and a shampoo. The ointment and the shampoo have two formulations -- one with coal tar and one with salicylic acid. 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. Here in New Jersey, the coal tar version of the ointment and the shampoo are available at just about any chain type drug store. The shampoo is generally located with the other dandruff shampoos. Depending on the store, the ointment is either located with the other creams and lotions, with the first aid stuff, or off on its own with other psoriasis medications. (As if you can't find it.) The lotion and the salicylic acid versions of the ointment and shampoo seem to be available by special order only.
• Dermarest (www.dermarest.com). Dermarest makes lotions and shampoos that hava salicylic aciid in them.
• Psoriasin (http://www.alva-amco.com/pages/psoriasin.php) Here's a link to a previous discussion about Psoriasin Liquid Dab On: .
• Desitin (the diaper rash cream). Here's a link to a previous discussion about using Desitin: .

You can also try taking baths with product such as Aveeno Oatmeal Soak. (Cheaper store brands are aslo available.) It's very soothing and the oatmeal helps soften the scales and relieve the itch. Aveeno's website has been under construction for as long as I can remember, so here's a link to CVS' description of it: http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gatew...l?prodid=567651. A least one person who posts here makes her own homemade oatmeal bath soak. Here's a link to the thread whe she posted her recipe: .
You can also try taking baths with a product like Balnetar. It's a coal tar based product (as I mentioned during my discussion of MG217, coal tar has been used to treat psoriasis for many years) so it has to be used with caution. It stains everything that it comes into contact with and the stains can be impossible to get out. You have to scrub the tub immediately after use. You also have use old towels and wear old clothes, etc. Despite these drawbacks, Balnetar can be a very effective weapon on the war against psoriasis. It available over the counter, but it's not a stock item. It usually has to be special ordered by the drug store. I've never been able to find a website for Balnetar, but here's a link to a site that sells it online: http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/br...2746DB41D 0%7D. (Note: I've NEVER ordered anything from them, so I have no idea how reliable they are. I gave you the link because their description of Balnetar is a good one.)
It's important to keep your skin moist, so in the words of my dermatologist "moisturize, moisturize, moisturize". You really can't overdo it when it comes to using moisturizer. Which moisturizer to use is a matter of presonal preference and trial and error. I find that it helps to rotate brands and to use only those moisturizers that are labled "fragrance free", "for sensitive skin" and/or "non-irritating".
I find that anti-bacterial and deoderant soaps tend to dry out and irritate my psoriasis and make it even drier and itchier then it already is. Here's a link to a previous discussion about psoriasis and soap: .
I also find that the dyes and fragrances in detergent and dryer sheets, etc. also irritate my psoriasis. I haven't had any laundry related problems since I switched to "free and clear" laundry products.
Unless you're one of the lucky few, your psoriasis probably itches. Here's a couple of suggestions to help you deal with that:

• corn starch;
• Ice packs;
• anti-itch lotions, creams and powders such as Gold Bond. (I usually buy store brands.) Another poster gave me samples of Eucerin Itch-Relief Moisturizing Spray. I like it a lot. It not only helps to relieve the itch, but it's easy to apply because it is a spray. (Here's a link to some additional information: http://www.eucerinus.com/medicalsit.../anti-itch.html);
• Benadryl.

I'm sorry that this turned into such a novel. You're probably suffering from information overload! :rolleyes: I hope that it helps in some small way. Good luck. Keep us posted and please don't be a stranger.
Mike


.......................... good to see that you are still, SLICIN' LIKE A MOTHER%&^*#@% HAMMER!


Hello jody...............check out "Alternate treatments" over in the psoriasis forum....if you want...go backwards a few pages and start reading....lots of good links and thoughts on treatments that won't compromise the immune system.
I guess the only stuff I've tried from prescription is Elidel.....on my forehead coming down from the hairline! I was so disappointed that it didn't work....I tried it everyday, twice daily actually....and nothing! after spending $160.00 on the large tube too....we have a deductible ins. (and it hadn't kicked in yet)
now I'm not saying Elidel won't work....it just didn't work for me......
Then I saw a post by Marie about scalp P and apple cider vinegar so decided to try it....after about 4 experiments with the smelly, stinging stuff i had a complete clearing on my forehead....voila! I was jumping with joy.....the scalp has not completely cleared but is getting there....just taking longer I guess.
Unfortunately even the non medical treatments cost money......especially from the health food store....the Vitamin Shoppe usually has sales....
lemon flavored cod liver oil has been a big help for me...giving the EFA's (essential fatty acids and vit. A and D) Carlson brand has the least mercury...
If you know of anyone that has membership to Sam's or Costco they have baking soda in large 12# bags for about $3.00..... which as someone mentioned is good for itching........also helps in the hair ....lots of us used it in our hair while taking a soak in the tub....I just plopped some on my head and massaged it in.....I think the baking soda and the vinegar is working on the PH level of our scalp.......there is plenty more info where I mentioned above....feel free to ask me anything from that site ( I try to keep it going so that it doesn't get lost in the nethers of the archives.......
Oh and welcome....................glad to have you on board


....................... you as well are still SLICIN' LIKE A ~*!&#^$ HAMMER!
BREVIS EASE LABORO OBSCURUS FIO!


I might get and be brief but never obscure....or maybe even brusque or bursque