Posts by Maria Doyle27

Update:

A friend was just telling me about her grandmother, who used to work as a nutritionist at a major hospital over in Germany, dealing with all sorts of patients suffering from psoriasis... and apparently, the consensus among those she treated was that if your condition is triggered by stress and nerves rather than some internal inflammatory process, you actually have a pretty decent shot at seeing it clear up completely and staying away for good. I don't know what the medical establishment would make of that theory, but honestly, my whole mood shifted for the better the moment I heard it, even if I am sitting here wondering just how realistic it truly is...

Mind you, she made it very clear that anyone battling psoriasis absolutely has to strip all animal products from their diet—we're talking meat, dairy, eggs... basically everything. Out of all the dietary changes one could make, she insisted that cutting out those specific things is the absolute most critical step...

You absolutely have to see a doctor! Honestly, I spent about a year just ignoring my own skin issues, pretending nothing was wrong, until things got so incredibly bad that I couldn't even bear to look in the mirror, let alone deal with the discomfort...

I mean, who knows? It might turn out to be nothing at all—God willing it isn't psoriasis—but you really shouldn't sit on this; getting some tests done is the only way to actually know what you're dealing with so you can finally start figuring out a real treatment plan!

Gregory Mendoza3 said:Well, maybe on top of all that, I'll just take out some loans and head over to Naphtha... and move to America... if Naphtha is really as successful as they say?

At Naphtha, you don't exactly get to just decide to show up... you have to wait for their doctors to approve the treatment based on how serious your situation is, which is quite a process... and you first have to book an appointment, and then you're looking at waiting roughly one or two months for that initial exam. After that, assuming they actually greenlight the therapy, you're stuck waiting at least another month... the treatments usually last about three weeks. I'm actually heading there this Monday, so I can take a look at the local lodging prices... I don't know them offhand since I'll be commuting there every single day, but I suspect the costs aren't absolutely astronomical...

From what I understand, the Naphtha treatment is quite effective, though heaven knows nobody can predict exactly when remission will finally arrive... personally, after my first round of treatment at Naphtha back in 2005, my psoriasis didn't flare up again until exactly one year later...

Hmm, I must say, that actually doesn't sound half bad at all...

Gregory Turner71 said:AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!

But of course, my luck is just spectacular, isn't it? I go and inherit some ridiculous gene that absolutely nobody else in my entire family tree possesses... 😢
(And please, spare me the comments about the mailman—I’ve already checked, and even he doesn't have psoriasis)
EDIT: Hem... what was I even trying to get at here... actually, nothing much, really... just spreading a little bit of negative energy to the universe... there, I already feel slightly better...

LOL, well, it's not showing up in my family either, though apparently, it manifests every fourth generation—so some great-grandfather or grandmother back in the day (who they probably thought were possessed by the devil 😁 )—but honestly, that might just be some old wives' tale, who knows...

Well, if you need to vent those negative vibes just to feel a bit more centered... bring it on! 👍

www.altermedica.net

You can actually place an order via email or just give them a quick call... it only runs you about $50!

Linda Chase81 said:thanks 😍

But tell me, have you actually given his Colleen ointment a shot yet?... I mean, it might be worth a look...

Oh, goodness, my mother actually picked up that same ointment at the exact same time she got the tea, but I only stuck with it for about ten days before I just gave up entirely... mostly because I had ordered some Psoralen right then and decided to focus all my attention on using that instead!

Well, regarding that tea... I picked it up at Walmart. There's this herbalist from Des Moines who actually leased some space there and has been selling his blends for quite a while now. He even maintains a website if you're interested:

www.travar-mb.hr

Elizabeth Barnes47 said:About a month ago, I posted on this forum about treating psoriasis using ivy, and honestly, I just had to come back and tell you all that after a full month of soaking in ivy, I am beyond satisfied—it’s been life-changing. For anyone out there who is still skeptical and stuck buying those overpriced dermatological creams or sipping on teas that taste absolutely revolting, please listen... I truly want to help you, and the best part is that it costs next to nothing. Just try soaking for three days; if you don't see a difference—and believe me, you will—then you can go back to your expensive routine, but I suspect you won't ever touch those pricey creams or bitter teas again. My skin where the open wounds used to be has turned pale (the scaling is completely gone), and it’ll probably take a month or two to regain its natural tone. Now, I only have pinkish patches left without a single flake in sight. Do you have any idea how incredible it feels to apply regular lotion to your affected areas at night, only to wake up in the morning without a single new scale? It is simply indescribable...

I actually became quite intrigued by this whole ivy remedy while reading your posts about a month ago, but I am completely at a loss as to where one even finds it! I was just sitting there this morning having a long discussion with my mother about how, out of everything we've searched for, this is the one thing we just cannot seem to track down... I really want to give it a shot, so, where on earth should I be looking? I assume you wouldn't find something like this at a standard local health food store or a typical pharmacy, right?

silentheron25 said:just ditch the coffee; honestly, you can laugh your head off without it, and frankly, it’s doing you more harm than good. besides, not everyone has your temperament—I wish more people could just brush things off like you do, but people are unpredictable and can be incredibly draining... in our age group, dealing with this stuff feels a bit more manageable than it does for a fifteen or eighteen-year-old, since we've had some time to build up a thick skin while they're just stepping into the fray. the most frustrating part is how inconsistent the support is; what might be a minor inconvenience for one person could be a total disaster for someone else, and it hits everyone differently. obviously, one should try not to let it get under their skin too much, but I completely empathize with anyone who finds it deeply upsetting and feels consumed by it, because I've certainly been there myself... perhaps even you women find it slightly more taxing than we men do. that's why it's vital to find your own little escapes, hobbies, or whatever keeps your mind occupied so you can unwind and not exhaust yourself over nothing
.

Oh, believe me, I know—at this point, it's practically a mantra for me; I cut out regular coffee ages ago, moved on to decaf, and then eventually ditched that too!

And yes—I am fully aware that people don't always react constructively and that many might lean toward self-pity, but for heaven's sake, I prefer to actually solve my problems rather than piling more onto them... though I suppose it might be a tiny bit harder for women; personally, I find the aesthetic implications a bit more difficult to swallow!

silverjackal20 said:Yes, I completely agree that having the right mindset is everything; since I was a little girl, I’ve never had any trouble telling people, "What is that?" or "Why is that happening?"... somehow, answering those questions has just become a mechanical reflex for me, and it doesn't bother me when people ask, but regardless of that, I can't help but wonder if I should give up hope on a total cure... because if I surrender internally to that desire—if I just settle into the idea that I’ll be in the ring with this condition for the rest of my life and try to learn how to live happily despite whatever wounds my body might carry tomorrow—am I not effectively slamming the door on a complete recovery by deciding I've already surrendered and simply adapted? I’ve dealt with this since the maternity ward, and I don't want to tell myself that this is just my permanent reality for life; I think no one should just assume they can only manage the symptoms, because sometimes, hope can actually catch you by surprise...🙂

Look, it would be absolutely wonderful if they found a cure for psoriasis—for me and for most of the people in this group, it would be a literal dream come true—but until then... until that moment arrives... and from what I understand, when dealing with defective genes like ours, it requires millions upon millions of dollars, yen, pounds, or whatever currency you prefer, spent over years and years of medical research and clinical trials... until then, you simply cannot stop living while just sitting around waiting for it to happen.

It probably requires a perfect storm of certain actions taken toward (un)healing to experience even a single period in your life where you are completely clear. I actually had such a period for about a year recently, but then everything started crawling back... plus the arthritis became so bad that there are times I can barely walk at all. But honestly, I just sit there laughing over coffee with my girlfriends about how at twenty-three years old, I’ve already got an old person's disease and I'm slathering myself in anti-inflammatories. And that helps me immensely—because they aren't pitying me; they're just laughing along with me.

And I go to the doctor, they prescribe some therapy, and the problem is solved, at least for a little while... you know how they say everyone carries their own cross in this life? Well, this is clearly ours, but it isn't quite as catastrophic as it seems... it was only through dealing with this illness that I truly realized how vital health is, and how important it is to listen to your body and not subject it to unnecessary shocks. I mean, sure, I have a drink here and there on the weekends, or I’ll indulge in some chocolate once in a while—thank God we don't have to renounce everything in life—but your lifestyle definitely has to change, and the most crucial thing (which everyone here emphasizes) is your mental state.

Oh dear, I've gone on a bit of a tangent now... 🙂 I should get back to studying for my exams.... enjoy this beautiful day!

Linda Chase81 said:First off, I just wanted to say how much I love your posts; you have such an incredibly positive energy, which honestly matters more than anything else... 🙏 😍 👍

But do tell me, what was the name of that tea, and where on earth can one actually find it? 😬

Well, let me see... once I finally make it back home this evening, I'll dig through my notes to find the address, though if memory serves, I believe it was somewhere near Times Square... I didn't purchase it myself, you see, so I can't be entirely certain of the exact location!

Elizabeth Lee49 said:Way to go, Maria Doyle27! You’re doing amazing, and honestly, that’s exactly how you should be handling this... I still haven't quite found the courage to just blurt it out to everyone I meet, though I can talk about it freely with my close friends, and they’ve been so incredibly accepting—sometimes even offering helpful advice if they’ve read up on something new. It really is the only way to be. Maintaining a positive outlook is everything, because letting depression and disappointment take hold just drags you deeper into the abyss, which only makes the condition flare up even worse... I know, believe me, I've been there; back when I had my first major breakout, I truly felt like it was the end of the world. But now that I'm a bit older, I realize things aren't always that bleak... this thing lives with us, and we live with it. You're doing great, Maria Doyle27.😍

Aaaaah, thank you so much, Elizabeth Lee49... 😘 Truth be told, I didn't even feel this way at first; actually, I’ve always been a bit of a drama queen, and I don't need much to work myself into tears—so, naturally, I ended up breaking down right there in the doctor's office the moment she handed me the biopsy results (Jesus, looking back, it seems almost ridiculous now), and then I called my mom, and then I got home... and it just kept going for a few days. And then, eventually, you settle down, you educate yourself, and thank God I have such wonderful friends who provide an incredible support system... you just shift your mindset, and that's that—life moves forward.

I really have to say, while we're on the subject of the older generation, they can be absolutely baffling... even to this day, they refuse to accept the simple reality that I actually HAVE this condition. They sent me to six different specialists, all of whom confirmed the exact same diagnosis, yet they still stubbornly refuse to believe it's Psoriasis... I honestly don't get it—if I can wrap my head around it, why on earth can't they? 😕

Oh, and someone mentioned earlier that the liver and blood are the most critical factors... something along those lines. I actually came across something similar recently, and every herbalist I’ve visited to pick up teas has insisted that all skin issues stem from imbalances in the liver and kidneys... so, currently, I am chugging this specific tea meant to regulate liver and kidney function; it tastes absolutely revolting, but if it works, I will happily drink it for the rest of my life... 🙏

Best wishes to everyone

urbanbadger53 said:At its core, I don't have a massive issue with it; I've learned how to coexist with Psoriasis, but I certainly haven't thrown in the towel, much like most of you here. One of the main reasons I even signed up for this forum was because there's such a positive vibe in this community, where everyone tries to look at our condition from a different, more optimistic perspective. Kudos to you all!
that's my initial take on things... 👍

The absolute most important thing is accepting the reality that this condition is simply a part of your life now, and you just have to manage it the best way you know how... I know plenty of people who have spiraled into such deep depressions that they're essentially just spinning their wheels, mostly because depression and stress are arguably the most potent and frequent triggers for Psoriasis. Dammit, it is what it is; you can't change your skin, but you can certainly try to help yourself prevent the disease from manifesting in its absolute worst form.

I usually tell everyone I have it, which honestly baffles my parents, and they always chime in with comments like, "Well, not everyone needs to know." Honestly, I couldn't care less; it's not like I have the plague, and besides, it's much easier for me when I can actually talk about it with someone. It's just a medical condition like any other, though what really grinds my gears is the sheer cost of everything... everything else—you can survive that! 😉

I suppose I should begin by addressing the sheer absurdity of this entire situation... though where one even starts when everything feels so fundamentally disjointed is a question I often find myself pondering during those long, quiet hours before dawn... It’s all quite overwhelming, isn't it? One moment you think you have a handle on things, and the next, the rug is pulled out from under you so abruptly that you’re left grasping at thin air... anyway, I digress, as I am prone to do... kaže:
Regarding all this talk about Soka... I feel like I’ve been bombarded by endless waves of advertising and those suspiciously "miraculous" success stories for ages now, though I must admit I haven't actually tried it myself—nor have I ever even considered using it, simply because I lacked any semblance of trust in the whole thing... and besides, I don't personally know a single soul who has ever utilized it to combat Psoriasis or anything of that nature...

I truly hope that things take a turn for the better for you... may luck finally decide to find its way your way... 😳

I was sipping on some Noni juice about two years ago, which was roughly a year after I first got hit with the news that I had Psoriasis... and honestly, looking back now, I’m stuck in this perpetual state of uncertainty regarding whether that specific juice actually did the heavy lifting for me. It’s quite difficult to isolate a single variable when, at that exact same time, I was aggressively purging my diet of all sorts of junk and making a very conscious, very deliberate effort to maintain a more positive outlook on life... and since my Psoriasis completely cleared up during that period, one could argue it was effective, but then again... it might not necessarily be solely due to the Noni, but rather a complex, tangled web of every single lifestyle change I implemented all at once...

I really must point out that relying on this particular juice requires a significant—actually, an exorbitant—amount of capital... at the current rate, the monthly dosage alone seems to cost me upwards of... $167...and one really ought to commit to a three-month course, though perhaps stretching it to six months wouldn't be entirely out of the question, provided one follows that up with a substantial break of somewhere between three to six months...

Last year, I happened upon an article in *Reader's Digest* discussing some recent research, which apparently concluded that the whole thing was nothing more than a massive embarrassment... they claimed that Noni doesn't actually assist with cell regeneration at all, but might instead offer a sort of temporary "boost" to one's bodily energy levels, which, if you ask me, puts it firmly in the same category as a can of Red Bull... 😕 But then again, one really ought to consider the source... specifically, who exactly was footing the bill for the research in the first place... which, let's be honest, usually tells you everything you need to know about the results...

Honestly, it’s always best to just dive in and experience it firsthand to see how it actually affects you... because, as we are constantly reminding one another in this group, every single human body reacts in its own unique way...

wearywalker9 said:Hey there!
I have no idea who was actually asking if anyone else deals with excessive sweating, but since you brought it up... well, I certainly do...🙂 Honestly, I just don't sweat at all... and it never even crossed my mind that there might be some sort of connection to psoriasis... who can really say for sure... and besides, does anyone else here run into issues with Vitamin C? Whenever I indulge in a few too many citrus fruits, my condition takes a turn for the worse... it’s just one of those things, really...... applying Rosopas with it? Does anyone actually have any experience with that??

If one is actually inclined to believe the theory that diet plays a significant role in managing psoriasis—which, in my particular case, it absolutely does...—then it follows that one simply must purge all citrus fruits, or indeed any acidic fruits and vegetables, from their diet entirely, as they are known to exacerbate the condition... or so I have read in several different places!
That logic also applies quite heavily when you consider those artificially acidified processed fruit and vegetable goods—you know, things like pickled cabbage or cucumbers and that sort of stuff...

A tiny correction here... just a small observation, really... but a minor adjustment isn't going to be a magic bullet for every single person struggling with psoriasis... especially when it comes to things like Naftalan...👎 I know... One... I can't help but think about that poor soul who had such an absolutely ghastly reaction to the Naftalan Spa treatment, only to find that their psoriasis actually spread even further after the ordeal... it’s just one of those things that makes you wonder where we're all headed with these "remedies"...

That one highlighted word is absolutely crucial here, because strictly speaking—if we’re going to use any actual statistical terminology—you simply cannot draw sweeping conclusions about an entire population based on the experience of just one individual... It's fundamentally flawed logic. Personally, I don't know a single soul who has experienced those kinds of reactions to Naftalan Spa treatments, yet hundreds upon hundreds of people travel to Naftalan Spa every single year, and they keep coming back time and time again...

An older gentleman, a dear family friend of ours, recently fled from the Naftalan Spa after only a few days... he was absolutely adamant that the conditions there were an utter catastrophe and the level of cleanliness was simply non-existent...

Well, if he was actually expecting a Hilton, then thank God he managed to make a break for it... honestly, my own experiences—and those of several people I know personally—have been nothing but positive, which is exactly why I ended up heading over there myself after they talked me into it...

Petroleum products are incredibly aggressive when applied to the skin; they strip everything away and leave you feeling utterly parched... and honestly, if my doctor were sitting here right now, there is absolutely no way they would suggest using something like that as a final solution for my current situation...

I can't help but harbor some serious doubts that the alternative route isn't actually the superior path here—especially when you consider that those corticosteroids seem to pack in more side effects than they actually do to alleviate psoriasis symptoms... honestly, I feel physically ill just reading through the long list of potential complications caused by Diprosalic, Elocom, or Psorcutan... blah, blah, blah... which is exactly why I haven't touched them in over a year now. If all else fails, then sure, maybe they're a last resort—but typically, people only turn to Naftalan Spa therapy when their cases have become absolutely dire... personally, I’m planning to start my own three-week regimen, and regardless of how it unfolds, I will be sure to report back with my results and any side effects I might encounter!🙂

THE AMERICAN PSORIASIS ASSOCIATION: Šalata 4, Washington, D.C.

To brings to mind my own experience, where I actually had it all over my hands too... It hit me about three years ago. Back then, I was driving a heavy-duty logging truck equipped with a hydraulic crane, so I was constantly coated in grease, oil, and diesel. Honestly, I suspect that’s what triggered it, since I wasn't using any kind of medical treatment at the time...

Oil is actually quite famous for its beneficial effects on skin changes caused by psoriasis, neurodermatitis, and other conditions. In fact, an entire wellness retreat, the Naftalan Spa, bases its whole therapeutic approach on petroleum, oils, and specialized creams. My father used to go there for treatment, and he tells me that people even travel all the way from Russia just to visit the Naftalan Spa. Of course, you start seeing results pretty quickly once you begin the therapy, though how long the remission lasts really depends on your individual constitution...

Since we're talking about hiding it—how do the rest of you feel about that? What's your take?
I truly believe it is vital not to hide it, because keeping secrets like that becomes such an immense psychological burden. Personally, I haven't hidden it from day one! At first, it was a bit unsettling for my mother, and eventually, my social circle found it strange too, but everyone eventually adjusted. I’m lucky to have a very grounded group of friends...

,

In the beginning, I felt absolutely terrible, almost as if I were carrying some sort of plague... but later on, once I worked through things internally and realized that life can always be harder—I mean, people live full lives without limbs, sight, or hearing—I understood that my situation isn't nearly as tragic as I had conjured up in my own head. After all, as they say, this isn't something that kills you!

My advice to anyone trying to conceal it is to stop immediately. It’s much easier that way; you aren't living under constant pressure, which means you face fewer judgmental stares! Plus, you'll find information regarding potential medications and personal experiences much faster...

That is so true; some people notice the skin changes instantly and come running up to me with their stories—"Oh, my nephew had this," or "My grandson dealt with that"—and I've ended up receiving all sorts of advice about herbal teas, dietary changes, and so on...

I've written quite a lot, but I must add that we should actually be grateful that this damn thing isn't fatal!!! We've been dealt this hand, so what? We still have our entire, long lives ahead of us to deal with it, to chat on these forums, to live happily with our loved ones, and perhaps, every now and then, indulge just a little bit—just enough to watch our bad habits!👍 Just imagine those patients whose hourglass is nearly empty, with only a few grains of sand left...😳

I couldn't agree more.

Does anyone know of any support groups for people like us (aside from specialist clinics) anywhere?

I think I heard something about that once; it might be worth looking into, as I am almost certain there is a patient advocacy group out there somewhere!

Robert Clark2 said:I’m dealing with the exact same struggle; everything you described is hitting me too. Psoriatic arthritis is classified as its own distinct thing, affecting roughly 10% of those living with psoriasis. The joint issues usually settle in on the hands and feet, though in more severe cases, the larger joints get caught up in it as well.
The general symptoms include joint pain and swelling, a general sense of feeling just plain terrible, and sometimes even a fever.
As for treatment, I just try to endure the pain as best I can while taking oral analgesics or anti-rheumatics, though you could also apply an anti-rheumatic ointment to the affected area—provided there aren't any active psoriasis lesions right where you're applying it.

Ha! You wouldn't believe my luck... I manage to catch a condition that hits less than 10% of the population, and then I go and get a secondary one that affects 10% of the psoriasis community... am I extremely lucky or what?

Thanks for the reply and the advice, though I honestly don't think I'll be touching any pills; I have a massive aversion to them, and my stomach can barely handle them anyway, so I suppose I'm left with creams and ointments... damn it, my feet are hurting too, and there really is nothing worse than not being able to walk normally... a stiff neck is one thing, I can deal with that, but this...

Anyway, I guess it's straight to the drugstore for some Deep Relief... or something like that...