Archive through September 29, 2002
TV ClubHouse: Archives: The Shedding Psoriatics:
Archive through September 29, 2002
Rissa | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 06:17 am     Sia, my daughter has the WORST skin. LOL She thinks about a rash and develops one. Contact dermatitis is the explanation in all cases too. The worst offenders for her are some types of dryer sheets.. so I have switched to using softener in the washing machine instead. She was always scratching herself on the areas where skin is most sensitive (her genitals {had her tested for urine infections SO many times, back of her knees and back of the neck where the clothing labels rubs). Like I said, I switched to softener and as SOON as I see her itching just the tiniest bit, I put on an allergy cream...*benadryl* and problem is solved. I also keep hydrocortisone cream around the house. As for your daughter's head.. I have no idea, but have you tried using a dandruff shampoo? Esp. one mentioned above (Neutragena T-gel which you leave soak on the head for 5 minutes)? Dandruff is basically a fungal invasion so I would think trying T-gel for a few weeks would be an easy way to either fix it or rule it out. |
Halfunit | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 02:30 pm     Aunt_Bob LOL, I wasn't creative enough to come up with a catchy title for the thread. You have my permission to change it (k, mods?)!! Is "Fellow Flakers" too vague, lol... Sia If I *had* to guess, I'd say it's Eczema which is much more common in kids, BUT I'm not a doctor. I strongly recommend seeing a dermatologist when it's at "peak flake". |
Urgrace | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 09:25 pm     No Sia, the doctor was in another state and when I tried to look him up he was no longer there in practice The compresses were given by prescription, I have no idea what was in them, but if I did my doctor would have been told about it years ago! As for the sea salt, I bought some at the super market. My oldest son lives in Hawaii now and he rarely gets flare ups since he is in the ocean frequently. Also, I heard that dandruff was a relative of psoriasis. My solution has been to wash my hair every day (a non detergent shampoo works best), and I rarely get any spots on my head. Even hair spray, gels and mousse can irritate the skin on my head and especially the back of my ears. The MG-217 that I use (sparingly) has a tar base, which is one of the older remedies, and it does have an odor, but I also have a very keen sense of smell. Oh yeah, I almost forgot.. Have you ever made the mistake of using rubber gloves? This is a double no-no for me. Not only do they have powder inside them, but the cut off all air to the skin and make you perspire which really irritates the skin. My hubby almost always does the dishes now, because the soap is so harsh on my hands. We installed a dishwasher which helps but I got dishwasher liquid on a very irritated area once, and boy did that smart. "Is that poison ivy?" is a question people ask me that is much less irritating to answer than, "Oooo, WHAT is wrong with your hands? Is it contagious?", or the look they give you like, "Don't touch me." I am looking forward to the new remedies they are working on. It seems all the internal meds they have right now are so strong, that if you are able to have children you must be on birth control pills to prevent pregnancy or any bad reaction to the fetus. Coffee and sodas are very bad. I've nearly given up 'real' coffee and switched to caffiene free diet coke for when I crave a soda, but there's no way I'm giving up chocolate! |
Pcakes2 | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 06:11 am     Urgrace, I use the "other" MG-217. Well, I don't think that's what it's called, but it's by the same manufacturers, but it's the salsylic acid one. It does help in removing the scales with no bad tar smell. |
Pcakes2 | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 06:20 am     Here is a site for dead sea products (I have never purchased these before, because I get my mud right form the source).
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Pcakes2 | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 06:22 am     Sorry, It's been a while since I've posted a link...here it is: Dead Sea Skincare Products |
Urgrace | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 05:12 pm     Pcakes, I tried the other MG-217. It was so nice.. at first, then I was in pain for hours. Like it was stated before, some things work for some people and not for others. One of the doctors told me that if you medicate only on one side of the body, that the other side will heal! I tried that for about three weeks and sure enough, the largest patch on my other hand went away. Another thing that works if you have a willing subject is for a dog to lick the patch every day! LOL I'm not kidding! My terrier (RIP) used to come up to me when I was sitting and start licking my knee. I didn't encourage this, it just happened. The patch vanished and didn't return for quite some time. I know. I know. Just thought you'd get a kick out of the wierdness of it. |
Tracy | Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 11:39 pm     I'm 59 and have had psoriasis since I was in my mid-late 40's (late bloomer I guess). I have a fairly mild case, all my patches are on my arms except for one near my shoulder blade in front and one about in the same position on my back. Worst is on my left elbow - have none at all on my right elbow. I've heard about the symmetry but dont seem to have that with mine. For the first five years or so after diagnosis, I went to several dermatologists. All of them just handed me a prescription for various kinds of topical cream and told me to come back in 6 months or a year. None of the creams had much effect. For the last few years, I have done nothing at all and it has remained about the same. Worst thing is the itching. If it gets real bad, I usually just put a thick coat of vaseline on the offending spot and the itching eases. But I have been known to scratch until I'm bleeding. It is so nice to come here and talk about this. I never talk about it to anyone. I am lucky to be able to cover it up pretty easily and the only thing I can't wear is short sleeved shirts. I've probably got the world's biggest collectionof 3/4 length sleeved tops which is what I wear in the summer. I always look forward to winter because I can find clothes so much easier. You guys have given me so ideas to try (emu oil, sea salts, etc.) and I appreciate that very much. Hope we can keep this thread going. |
Halfunit | Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 07:36 am     Hya Tracy!! Glad you posted! I know what you mean about winter... it might make the itchies a little worse, but at least you don't stand out wearing a sweater. I noticed you are in Columbus. Hubby and I are known for making spur of the moment decisions and going there to eat (we are in Tuscarawas county). Have you ever been to Katzinger's in German Village? I like to pretend that the garlic pickles they have help my psoriasis, lol. Hmmm.. for that matter, so do banana splits, chili fries, deep fried mushrooms,..... |
Sia | Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 11:59 am     Halfunit or Tracy, is Helen Winnemore's still in German Village? That's the cutest little gift shop! (I don't live there now, but grew up in the Columbus area--I miss city life!) |
Aunt_Bob | Friday, September 13, 2002 - 08:07 pm     Hello to all. Just checking in to see what’s been going on with the “beautiful people”. Urgrace, I never put 2 & 2 together. I wear powdered latex gloves for many things . . . food prep with things like raw chicken, ground beef and such, and when I’m cleaning, to keep the harsh chemicals off of my skin and when I do hair, besides mine, I do my daughters and all of her friends and some of my friends hair . . . AND I start to freak after about 5 minutes, then lose it after about 10 minutes . . . I RIP!!! the gloves off, wash my hands with COLD water (for the relief), grab a fresh pair and start all over again. I know it drives me crazy, (to wear the gloves) I sweat, I itch, I scream, but . . . wow, do you think it’s cause of this P thing? Also, let me tell you, the dog licking thing is not so weird after all. When I had it REAL bad at first because I wasn’t getting any medical help, that worked, anyway, my Miniature Schnauzer would, completely voluntarily, lick the worst spot on my lower leg and side of my foot when I would be watching t.v. in bed and she would be on the bed too. At first I was like, “Why are you doing that? STOP that!”, but everynight, she’d do the same thing. And then I realized, hey, that kinda feels soothing, so I let her. I figured out since her tongue was sorta rough, it was like she was ‘scratching it’ but at the same time soothing it, because, of course, her tongue is also moist and cool. Big problem though, when she stopped, it hurt like heck because I guess she had taken some of the dead skin off and a fresh new layer was exposed to start the process all over again. I think she and your baby knew exactly what they were doing, because they love us and wanted to make our ‘boo-boos” all better. There’s no way she would do that now (cause you know I’ve healed up on my lower body), I’ve tried, just playing with her you know, and she’s like “Get that foot outta my face before I bite it!”, but then she adds, “Just kidding!” Halfunit, great...now I gotta’ go to Zaxby’s and get some yummy deep fried spicey mushrooms, then maybe I’ll head across the street and get a banana split from Dairy Queen. Welcome Tracy...nice to meet you. Yes, we MUST keep this thread ‘active’, though it isn’t always easy to post to every thread that you’re interested in every day. Of course, I’m speaking for myself, cause I love to talk, talk, talk. I don’t think I’ve ever posted just one or two sentences to any thread. Hopefully though, soon we will be telling ‘fun’ stories instead of ‘horror’ stories. I don’t know what kinda stories could be considered fun about this P thing we share, but I know we can come up with something. |
Meggieprice | Friday, September 13, 2002 - 10:50 pm     Hello all- I came to this thread cause of the catchy title (bedridden for weeks with my disc problem)and I don't have psoriasis but I was really grateful to learn so much about it. Then I was talking about it with my husband (what did you do today babe?...) and he mentioned that an old friend has it. According to her, she used the Edgar Cayce remedy of lanolin and rosewater. I know nothing about this, and you mey all have heard of this and it may not work, but I wanted to share it. |
Vanillarose | Friday, September 13, 2002 - 11:13 pm     Like Meggie, I don't have psoriasis, nor do I know anyone who does have it, but I appreciate what I've learned by coming to this thread. You all go through so much, it seems! I don't think anyone with a skin disorder should have to live in shame or embarrassment, and I think you are helping to educate the rest of us. Thanks!!! {{{{{{{{{hugs to you all}}}}}}}}}} |
Halfunit | Saturday, September 14, 2002 - 05:29 am     Omigosh - Omigosh - Omigosh I have to say a big thank you to Meggie and Vanilla!!! It makes me happy when people who don't have this ^%#(& disease read and learn about it!!! And Meggie, you get better, ya hear??!!! |
Neko | Saturday, September 14, 2002 - 07:39 am     I went to my dematologist a few days ago and she prescribed "Westcort" It's an atni-Inflammatory/Antipruritic.. Anyways, it seems to be working, can't be to sure as of now. But I have to have a Biopsy(Sp?) because she'd beginning to think that it might not be P after all. She's also going to put allegic patches on my back to see if I react to anything.. |
Cinder | Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 02:34 pm     Westcort works for me. I use it on my face- becuase it is a low dosage. |
Sia | Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 07:28 am     My cousin's son was hospitalized overnight last week for his eczema; he was so raw and itchy that his pediatrician wanted to administer his usual treatment (Prednisone?) intravenously, & the only way she would do it that way was in the hospital. His Mommy spent the night in hospital with him; no fun for them, but the relief was really quick in coming. Cousin said the difference in his skin was amazing in just 24 hours. It's been over a year, she said, since he last had to take the steroids in this manner. My f-i-l has taken Prednisone for swelling of his eye for months now, & he's undergone mood changes--and not for the better. Thank goodness we have miracle-drugs, but they can have some bad side-effects. |
Fruitbat | Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 07:45 am     A friend of mine had Psoriasis very badly on her scalp, elbows and knees. After years of trying everything she explored nutrition. She did a food combining diet and it took it away.....literally. She eats that way several times a week to maintain her skin health but eats normally the rest of the time. She initially did it for 3 months I think to eradicate the problem. Who knows if this works for all but it did for her. Quite a miracle. For those of you not familiar, it is the simple rearranging of how you eat food. There are no restictions on what. Do not eat starces and protein together in the same meal and eat fruit totally alone. A lot of big salads too and water. Fit for Life is the main stream book about this. They have some strict rules that are not about the original theory, like no dairy and some other extreme things but info about this is readily available on the web and in other books. It can get as complicated as you would like but she just did the basic principal. |
Sia | Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 11:18 am     Wow, Fruitbat; thanks for that information. I think my cousin would be happy to explore the dietary approach you describe in order to try to help her son's eczema! I'll recommend the book "Fit for Life" to her. |
Weinermr | Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 01:04 pm     Printed in the Los Angeles Times, Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Psoriasis Treatment Clears Key Hurdle Medicine: Samples made by Genentech are as effective as earlier batches made by it and Xoma, the firms say. By JED SELTZER, REUTERS Genentech Inc. and Xoma Ltd. said Tuesday that their experimental drug for the skin disorder psoriasis cleared a major hurdle, increasing the likelihood that it will be approved for sale. Shares of Berkeley-based Xoma jumped 8% on the news, while stock in South San Francisco-based Genentech rose almost 3%. The market for psoriasis drugs is estimated at more than $1 billion in the United States and as much as $5 billion globally. The disease, characterized by scaly bumps and raised patches on the skin, afflicts more than 100 million people around the world. Most psoriasis sufferers use ointments or creams. The two biotechnology companies said batches of the drug, Raptiva, made by Genentech were just as effective in treating psoriasis as earlier batches of the medicine made from material manufactured by both firms. The Food and Drug Administration asked the companies to conduct the additional study to prove that the drug could be duplicated at Genentech facilities without changing its chemical composition. The FDA request, which delayed the drug's potential introduction, came after the companies said in April that the Raptiva being manufactured by Genentech was qualitatively different from earlier batches. The companies said they anticipate submitting an application by year-end seeking U.S. marketing approval for the drug. Raptiva has shown impressive efficacy in clinical trials, reducing psoriasis by at least 75% in some 61% of patients taking the drug for about a year, said analyst Darren Mac of Fulcrum Global Partners. The new study confirms an earlier trial showing that the proper weekly dose of Raptiva is 1 milligram per 1 kilogram of body weight, said Michael King, an analyst at Banc of America. "Given this is consistent with the other results, this gives the FDA more comfort that Genentech has selected the right dose and I think makes the drug more approvable," he said. Biotechnology and drug companies are racing to be the first to market a psoriasis drug. Last week, Biogen Inc. indicated that U.S. regulators probably would decide about marketing approval for its psoriasis drug, Amevive, in early 2003. Other firms seeking to market psoriasis drugs include Johnson & Johnson and Amgen Inc., which hope to treat the skin disorder using their arthritis drugs Remicade and Enbrel, respectively. Arthritis drugs may be effective against psoriasis because both ailments are related to inflammation caused by an overactive immune system. Shares of Xoma climbed 49 cents to $6.58 on Nasdaq. Genentech rose 92 cents to $31.75 on the New York Stock Exchange. |
Halfunit | Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 06:07 pm     WeinerMr Thank you for posting that! It's nice to know someone is watching the newspapers for stories that some of us out here are interested in and might have missed.    |
Urgrace | Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 11:27 am     Neko, it's been a week since you posted and I'm wondering how you are doing. What did the doctor say? Thank you non-psoriatics for your comments and concerns! Aunt_Bob, I still use plastic gloves - the disposable kind without any powder for those kind of jobs, but if the gloves you are using are latex, you might have an added problem of being allergic to latex! I know several people who can't use 'rubber' bands that are latex, too. Fruitbat, nuitrition is definitely a key to clearing up P. Someone else mentioned not eating starches with protein to me before, and I had forgotten about it! I've noticed the more raw veggies and staying with only one kind of fruit per day makes a huge difference. (It's also good for toning up.) A man came into the hotel yesterday to register and his arms looked covered with P. Turns out he has skin cancer, and they burn off the cancer leaving his skin raw and unprotected, which makes it look like P! Our weather has changed dramatically this week, so I'm cracking and bleeding on the backs of my hands. (It sure doesn't take much.) It is very sore and burning today. Oh well, tomorrow will be better! Hey, maybe it's just the full moon.... LOL |
Aunt_Bob | Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 09:07 pm     Neko ... I was also wondering how you were doing. Did you take any tests yet? I sure hope you are doing okay, sweetie. Cinder ... After I read Neko's "Westcort", it made me remember that that was the cream I was using. I meant to mention that to you, but didn't get around to it. I am glad to see that you are using it also, especially on your face where our skin is much more delicate. I hope you are doing good also. Fruitbat ... Thank you for the info on the nutritional alternative. I shall definately do some research and try to do it properly. It sounds like a great way to go whether you've got P or not. Weinermr ... Aren't you just something. For those of us (Me) who NEVER read the newspaper, I am very thankful for your making me aware of the current status of these new meds. I will keep my eyes and ears open for the final approval and marketing of Raptiva and Amevive. Thank you again. oh ug, I am sending good thoughts out to your hands so that they will feel better ... I hope it's working. |
Neko | Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 09:39 am     I'm fine. Still using Westcort of course.. LOL I do forget dsometimes to put it on though.. Must get into the habit. I don't have the Biopsy(I give up. Spelling is not my forte ) for another month I think.. Something like that.. Or the allergy tests either.. Neko doesn't like needles |
Cinder | Sunday, September 29, 2002 - 06:39 pm     I got my haircut today and the beautician did not freak out. Yea!!! Usually when I find one that doesn't she moves. I rarely if ever go to the same person twice. She did however ask if I had medicine. I said yes- trust me it would be 10 times worse if I did not. |
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