Psoriasis [PLEASE READ FIRST POST!]

placidpanther12 said:It’s not some joke—a doctor actually told a 50-year-old guy he got psoriasis that he should be happy because it's a sign his body is actually healthy

P.S. Thanks for the kind words.

In that case, let's pass all those warm wishes onto that doctor—since clearly, he doesn't have a clue what an autoimmune disease even is.

I’ve been dealing with M07 Psoriasis for about 10 years now, and I really wanted to reach out and start a conversation. I actually managed to clear my skin using fish therapy, which was such an incredible experience! So, if anyone is curious about how that works, or if you have any other alternative treatments that actually worked for you, please let me know.
Honestly, I just want to connect with people who truly understand what this is like. It helps so much to exchange info and just vent a little—it makes dealing with this annoying condition so much more manageable when you aren't doing it alone, right?
Thanks so much!

I don't actually deal with psoriasis, but I have mastocytosis along with a bunch of other skin issues, so I end up on basically the same treatment plan as the psoriasis crowd—meds, pills, creams, UVB, PUVA, Bucky... you name it.
I’ve heard people talk about those little fish treatments, but I honestly don't know the specifics. Where did you go to get that done? How often did you have to go, how long did it take, and what was the actual experience like? Do you have to keep going back for maintenance?
Anyway, I'm living in Sweden right now, and I highly doubt they even offer these kinds of "alternative" methods over here.

You’ve got a massive thread going here!
There was some talk about the fish in there too.
If I remember correctly, that was all about the coast down in Istria.

Jamie Flores5 said:I've been dealing with psoriasis for ten years and wanted to start a conversation about it. I actually managed to clear my skin using fish therapy, so if anyone is curious or looking for alternative options, please reach out.
Ultimately, I just want to connect with people facing the same struggles so we can exchange information and make dealing with this tedious illness a bit easier.
Thanks.

I’ve lived with psoriasis for many years as well, so I'm quite familiar with its nature. I was wondering, how often did you undergo the fish treatments?

I’ve heard that flare-ups can occur shortly after treatment, which makes sense given that this is an autoimmune condition caused by systemic overload and the body sending faulty signals to the immune system. There are various types of psoriasis, and even doctors aren't entirely certain about the exact causes or the best ways to manage it... it's a chronic condition, after all. It isn't something that can be cured with a single spray.

Carol Harris64 said:I don't have psoriasis, but I deal with mastocytosis and all sorts of skin issues, so I end up getting similar treatments to those with psoriasis (medical stuff, pills, creams, UVB, PUVA, Bucky... )
I've heard about those little fish treatments, but I don't know the specifics. Where did you go to see them? How often did you go? How long did it last, what was the sensation like, and do you need to keep going back?
Anyway, I'm currently in Sweden and I doubt they even offer these "alternative" methods here.

Psoriasis is a hereditary condition that tends to flare up whenever you're under stress.
In my case, it flared up during pregnancy—probably because my hormones were going absolutely wild!
Since the actual cause remains a mystery, we still haven't found a definitive cure.
I actually went to a clinic in Pula this past August for the fish therapy. The treatment lasts 21 days and isn't particularly painful; it’s just a bit uncomfortable, but it really does work! It's true that this isn't a permanent "cure," but rather a temporary relief—even when it does return, it doesn't hit nearly as hard as it did before.
So far, mine hasn't come back at all. The folks in Pula told me I could potentially stay clear for anywhere from one to three years.
You can repeat the therapy if you want, but it's not mandatory—it's really up to you since it isn't exactly cheap.
If money were no object, I’d honestly go every single year!
While the little fish are working (nibbling away), it feels like a light massage. Occasionally, they might open up a sore spot, which can sting a little, but you just protect that area until it heals and then keep going.
To be honest, I felt pretty gross for the first few days—just sort of slimy—but you get used to it and then it's fine.
I'm not sure about Sweden, but I know they use this method in Austria and Germany, and the providers here actually sourced their fish from Austria.
Over here in the States, you can find it in places like Chicago or suburban areas near New York.
At the very least, even if nothing else, it gives you a break from those annoying scales, which helps you feel much more mentally at peace.

placidpanther12 said:I just stumbled upon this forum recently and I’m honestly so thrilled! It feels like I don't know a single soul who deals with psoriasis. As for me... well, I've been fighting this since I was a kid. It took doctors forever to even figure out what was going on! The wildest part? Nobody else in my family has it, so growing up, I always felt like the "odd one out" in the family. I’ve tried absolutely everything under the sun, but I just can't bring myself to try those little bugs—the idea of something crawling on me is just so repulsive. Does anyone here actually have experience with them? The last thing I tried was homeopathy, and honestly, I’d recommend it to anyone with endless patience. And I say "patient" for a reason—you basically need two months of treatment for every year you've been sick! But it really pays off. All those creams, ointments, and lotions only treat the surface; they just push the psoriasis deeper into your system, causing it to flare up even harder next time.
I have one question: I just got a tattoo, and now I'm wondering—has anyone had their psoriasis spread over a tattoo? What does that even look like???
Now, here is something we can all ask ourselves—it's what my homeopath asked me: Do you consider yourself a healthy person or a sick person? I answered instantly: HEALTHY! What about you?

I've been dealing with psoriasis for 10 years now. Like you, I've tried every trick in the book, and I finally decided to go for the bugs this past August.
Those bugs are intense, but they’re actually kind of cute and tiny when they nibble away. It’s uncomfortable at first, but once you get used to it after a few days, it's not so bad. For me, everything cleared up! Of course, it's not a permanent fix, but at least I get a break from those annoying scales.
Supposedly, the therapy lasts anywhere from one to three years depending on how your body reacts.
My psoriasis hit my scalp the hardest—like, my entire head. The requirement for the bug therapy is to shave your head completely bald, so that's what I did. And wow, it's a miracle! Honestly, I don't even miss my hair; it’s so much easier to manage, especially when you have to apply treatments to your scalp every single day.
I personally use St. John's Wort oil (olive oil infused with St. John's Wort), and it works wonders at soothing and nourishing the skin.
I really think people with severe psoriasis covering their bodies should give the bugs a shot. It clears up much faster on the body, and finishing the treatment is way simpler.
There aren't any negative side effects to this therapy. In fact, that ditranol the bugs release is amazing for the skin, and they act as a sort of natural exfoliant.
One thing you should be prepared for: after 5 days of treatment, you might get a fever that lasts 2 or 3 days. Not everyone gets it, but I did. It's just a reaction to the ditranol, and it's actually a good sign.
It isn't cheap, but if I could afford it, I’d do it every single year. You truly feel so much better afterward—it almost gives you some mental peace, too.
And yes, I also consider myself HEALTHY. But man, wouldn't it be nice if our health insurance actually helped us out? They treat us like we're perfectly fine, so we end up paying for everything out of pocket. And do you know how expensive those specialized creams and "must-have" nonsense can be? Plus, people in service jobs often lose work because they don't realize that psoriasis isn't contagious.
Good luck!

I was hoping Sarah Sanchez52 might be willing to share her results with us, and if she can recall—though I suspect it hasn't been all that long—what the total cost ended up being.
Also, for anyone who has worked with fish treatments before, I’d love to know if this is something you can manage yourself at home, or if it really requires seeing a professional specialist.
Thanks so much!

I was hoping Mrs. Sarah Sanchez52 might be willing to share her results with us, and if she happens to remember—though I suspect it hasn't been too long—what the total cost ended up being.
I’d also love to hear from anyone who has dealt with those little fish treatments; I'm curious if it's something you can just handle at home or if you really need to seek out a professional specialist for it.
Thanks so much!

Don't sweat it. If they aren't asking for your blood, don't give it to them.
That said, I haven't heard anything about people with psoriasis being barred from donating. Send an email to the Red Cross and check in with your doctor.

It’s the same story with how they discriminate against the gay community. It's common knowledge they get tested for STDs way more often than straight people. For the straight crowd, condoms are mostly just about preventing pregnancy; they don't seem to care much about STDs, since everyone acts like those are just "gay diseases." :roll:

Hey everyone!

Could someone please help me make sense of these terms?

Spondyloarthropathia
psoriatic M07
Psoriasis vulgaris

Also, does this forum include any doctors who might be able to offer some professional insight?

Thanks so much!

Venesa said:Hello, everyone!

Could someone please clarify what these terms mean:

Spondyloarthropathia
psoriatica M07
Psoriasis vulgaris

Also, are there any doctors on this forum who we can reach out to for advice?

Thanks in advance!

I know that psoriasis vulgaris refers to common psoriasis, which affects about 80-90% of those with the condition...

Look, I’m telling you—a good friend of mine actually cleared up her psoriasis just by sticking to a regular cauterization routine. Honestly, that stuff works wonders on the scalp. 😍It’s been field-tested.

Has anyone here actually tried PUVA therapy over at Salisbury while taking Melatonin (pretty sure that's the name)?

I am twenty-eight years old now, and I have been battling psoriasis since I was six—can you believe that? I have certainly endured my fair share of ups and downs over the decades, moving through various stages ranging from manageable to absolutely devastating, but nothing quite compares to this current nightmare following my pregnancy and childbirth. It is, without question, the worst flare-up I have ever experienced. In the past, corticosteroids provided some relief, and there were brief periods where a trip to the coast for some sunshine seemed to do the trick, but lately, it feels as though nothing works at all. Perhaps it simply requires more time for my body to stabilize and return to its pre-pregnancy state, at which point the psoriasis might finally settle down again? I did attempt to use Zantac, but the side effects were simply unbearable; I dealt with constant burning, itching, and an unending sense of discomfort. Is there anyone else out there facing similar struggles, and if so, how on earth does one manage to cope during a phase like this?

brightpilot18 said:I'm 28, and I've been dealing with psoriasis since I was six years old. I've seen it all—from mild flare-ups to absolute nightmares—but things have hit an all-time low after my pregnancy and childbirth. Corticosteroids used to help, and a bit of saltwater and sunshine provided temporary relief, but right now, nothing seems to work. I suppose it might just take time for my body to stabilize post-pregnancy before the skin settles down again. I tried Zantac, but the side effects were unbearable: burning, itching, and constant discomfort. Is anyone else going through something similar? How are you managing this stage?...

I know a woman who went through the exact same thing after having her baby. She started light therapy at a clinic in Savannah and spent some time by the coast... and it made a visible difference. I think she actually did the light therapy while she was still pregnant, since using various creams isn't recommended during pregnancy.

For immediate relief, head to a pharmacy and grab some A-Derma shower oil; using it daily can help clear away the scaling. Also, make sure to take fish oil capsules and evening primrose oil daily.

And as far as topical application goes, stick to ointments like calendula or evening primrose... basically anything oil-based. Focus on moisture rather than heavy creams. It should soothe the irritation and help the situation without needing aggressive medicated creams.

If you have more questions... just ask.

And one more thing—it’s generally advised against breastfeeding while you're on corticosteroids or Zantac...

placidharbor362 said:Has anyone here tried PUVA therapy at the Salisbury clinic combined with Melatonin tablets (I think that's the name)?

I haven't experienced it personally, but I know a few people undergoing PUVA... from what I gather, it seems effective, though I've read online that you have to be careful because of the cancer risks involved...