I honestly don't know what you people do with your time; it’s actually unbelievable. Go outside, enjoy the summer, grab a drink, find a partner—just stop overanalyzing these Indian delusions that aren't going to get you anywhere in the end. Live your life instead of letting other people or some books try to micromanage it for you. It’s a disaster.
I don't have any particular preference when it comes to the location. Ideally, we could rent a cabin for a weekend getaway, or at least meet up somewhere for lunch or dinner. Maybe we could even head out to California, since I see plenty of us from this area are out that way too. Let me know what you're thinking and throw some options my way. We can hammer out the details once we have a plan.
So, now that there's actually an idea and some genuine interest on the table, I want everyone to weigh in on what they'd prefer. Maybe a Saturday sometime this fall? Trying to coordinate during the work week is always a headache. Personally, even though I'm originally from California, I think meeting up in Washington, D.C. would be the best move for everyone since we're all scattered across the country.
Too many people deal with psoriasis without anyone—including ourselves—even noticing it in daily life. There’s no need to spiral into depression over it. I do get the feeling that women tend to struggle a bit more with the mental toll; they seem more susceptible to those mood shifts. For me, the worst stretches were back in elementary and early high school. I'm slowly getting used to it now, though I'd gladly ditch these habits in a heartbeat if I could. You have to stay positive, but it's easier said than done. The other day, I was at the doctor and they told me I have arthritis, which means I'll be spending a few days at the hospital. It immediately trashed my usual laid-back vibe. And being told this could eventually lead to disability? Not exactly the news I was looking for. I was just getting some photos taken of my hands and feet to document the visible signs on my fingers, and looking at sketches online, it's clear I match the descriptions perfectly—even though the official scans claim nothing is visible. I’d be happy if the scans were right, but it's plain as day to the naked eye, and my nails are still slightly pitting. I've learned how to manage that so it doesn't get worse, but still. I rely heavily on bathing and sun exposure; I don't really use creams except for Psorex and a T-gel shampoo, which has been a lifesaver. My main fear is the arthritis catching up to me. I just turned 26, and honestly, I don't need that complication. Not me, and not anyone else. Having a positive outlook matters, so I hope everyone stays strong and grows through this. I'd also suggest that if anyone wants to step away from the forum, we should try to meet up somewhere in person. It makes things much easier when you can actually help, advise, or support one another face-to-face. Meeting in real life changes the whole dynamic, though I'm sure we can already count on each other whenever someone needs a hand. For instance, since my brother isn't home from college right now, anyone is welcome to come hang out by the coast—you won't have to worry about paying for hotels or accommodations. I truly believe we can help each other more than doctors can. I've been dealing with this for over 15 years, and there's a lady here who's been managing it for over 40, yet in all that time, no cure has appeared—or maybe they just don't want one to. It's strange, like it's something unimportant or easy to ignore, even though we know it's anything but. Some people definitely have it harder than others. At the end of the day, you can't put too much faith in modern medicine. I avoid doctors and hospitals whenever possible; they're just something I deal with out of necessity. I don't rely on them.
I can tell you that Place is a total lifesaver. I’ve been using it lately, and with all this sun and swimming, I’m really banking on it helping out. My routine is pretty specific: apply it for three days straight without getting in the water, then wash up on the fourth day. After that, you can either skip a day or go back at it. When I'm in the middle of a three-day application phase, I stay out of the ocean. Once I head to the beach, I take a week off from using it altogether. Now, about Zorax—be careful with that stuff. It’s harsh on healthy skin. You should only apply it directly to the redness, nothing else. Just hit the edges of the irritation and stop there. It might help your dad too, but honestly, it's loaded with chemicals, and I try to avoid that kind of stuff whenever possible. Maybe test it out on your leg first instead of jumping straight to your face. And don't go overboard applying it everywhere; just follow the percentage instructions in the recipe for the affected area.
I was back at the clinic again this morning. Honestly, I can't quite wrap my head around it... especially since my doctor officially confirmed it's psoriatic arthritis. It’s hard to believe this stuff actually caught up with me in my twenties.
Yeah... but you get used to it eventually. It’s always a struggle at first, and honestly, you never fully settle in completely. I don't even bother going out lately because the heat here is just brutal. Those cicadas are loud enough to make your head explode in the trees...
ExxonMobil works for some people, I guess. For me? It barely did anything when I was a kid. Honestly, you’re going to need a massive amount of patience. If your kid deals with this frequently, "easy childhood" isn't exactly on the menu. I know from experience what it's like growing up with this... what can I say, I suppose they'll take whatever help you can throw their way.
Sean Foster81 reminds me of some uninvited philosopher who also insists on using a specific regional dialect... I can't tell if it's the same guy or just some coordinated conspiracy at this point.
Look, they start out writing with standard American grammar, but once they get deep into their "philosophical" ranting, they lose track and revert back to that weird original way of speaking... It's pathetic.
Honestly, nothing you rub on there is going to clear that up in three weeks. I’m not exactly a fan of creams or ointments in general—they often do more harm than good. If you were heading down to Miami, the ocean and the salt would probably do most of the heavy lifting for you, assuming you could actually manage a walk on the beach. You could try using some topical stuff, but stick it only on the red patches; don't put it on clear skin or you'll just irritate it further. I've used similar stuff before, and it doesn't even start working until you've been consistent for at least a month. Your best bet is to find some secluded spot away from the crowds until it clears up enough for you to walk the boardwalk freely. It sucks for everyone, but living near the coast definitely has its perks. Anyway, I'm heading out to the beach now.
Sean Foster81, you sound incredibly naive and unserious with these posts. They're pretty much pointless and aren't helping anyone.
Look, I honestly don't get why you're dropping that much cash on something that basically does nothing. Those fish treatments aren't going to cure your psoriasis; all they really do is strip away the scales, and you can do that yourself just by soaking in some water. It’s actually wild to me how many people see an opportunity to exploit others just to line their own pockets. If you're near the coast, just go swim in the ocean. I headed out to the beach earlier while the weather was actually decent, and I had a school of small fish swimming right around my legs today—as soon as I rubbed them, the scales were gone. The ocean is better than anything else out there. It stings a little bit, but trust me, you're better off spending that money on a trip to Miami instead of these treatments. I'm telling you this as a friend because I know you want to fix this as badly as anyone else dealing with this nightmare, but don't make the same mistake again. That's not pocket change, and the "cure" rate is practically zero. Believe me, I'm speaking from over 15 years of experience, and unlike those companies, I have zero interest in selling you anything. Sunlight and salt water are the real answers, maybe paired with some natural creams—something like Aveeno worked wonders for me personally. But hey, it's your call.
I’ve got this issue with my nails, too. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but I'm pretty sure there are all sorts of supplements out there designed for this. I remember back when my mom was younger, she used to take some kind of brewer's yeast to help her hair and nails stay healthy. I know there are specific nail vitamins available, though I can't recall the exact brand. Someone here probably knows the name. My nails are actually doing okay right now, but I went through a phase where they were so brittle they were practically crumbling. You really have to maintain them; I make sure to use lotion regularly so skin doesn't build up underneath. If you let that happen, it dries out and creates a buildup under the nail bed that eventually causes it to crack because there's just no room left.
You really need to keep applying it for a bit longer. Once things settle down and your skin smooths out, it’ll likely clear up for good. My own issues vanished completely the first time I used Psorex. Mine isn't perfectly clear yet, though—it's been pretty gloomy lately, raining all day today, so I can't even get out to the beach, which puts me a bit behind on my routine. It'll probably improve soon, though. Also, the ointment doesn't have that heavy petroleum smell; it smells more like herbs, even if I can't pick up the scent as strongly anymore. As for that guy, it would be a stroke of luck if we could finally track him down. Cheers everyone, hope you're all doing as well as can be expected.
If anyone actually knows anything, they'll tell you. If they don't, then none of us do. There's no point in jumping to conclusions or blaming people immediately. Once a suspect is identified, we'll know for sure—unless this turns out to be just another case of someone looking for attention. Time will tell. Maybe try doing a little digging yourself instead of just posting a question and waiting for someone else to do the work for you. We're all here to help each other out.
Look, we’re basically eternal, aren't we? I'm 26 myself, though you definitely feel the weight of it more as you go. I still remember the first time I tried a cup of tea or had a spoonful of honey—it feels significant at the time. But honestly, you get used to it. Over time, things like this become a bit easier to stomach, even if that doesn't really make the situation any better.
You’re acting a bit like a kid to me. If you aren't sure, you just won't try it. Look, if something is natural and doesn't have a bunch of additives, it's going to have its own distinct taste. You push through those first few times and eventually, you get used to it. Take it from me—I can't stand even the slightest unpleasant smell or flavor. But you'll adapt if you actually believe it's going to help you.
Just take a spoonful of the mix and stir it into boiling water. Personally, I brew a blend of about ten different teas at once. Some people prefer a heavier ratio, others go lighter, but you just mix it all together to create one final tea. You only need one small spoonful per cup. As for buying fancy filters or whatever else—forget it. We’re doing things the old-fashioned way here, and we know what works.