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New to this...

PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 12:44 pm
by Alex
I have read around here a bit but wanted to talk about my situation and ask some questions.

I am 21 years old and have had psoriasis since November of last year. I originally thought that it was chicken pox, but after a month of no change i went to the doctor. They had no idea and took a blood test. From there i was told it was psoriasis.

I have had a minor case of eczema since i was young, only really appearing on the underside of my elbows.

I have been told that both eczema and psoriasis can be passed down from generation to generation. My grandma has eczema but no one in my family has psoriasis that i am aware of.

I have always lived a rather outgoing life. I drink (a lot) on weekends and i smoke everyday and also have a very unhealthy diet

I am at the point where i cant take it anymore. Friends notice one spot and ask what it is and i get very embarrassed. I have always been an outgoing girl and now find myself closing off from everyone. Summer is fast approaching again and i cant bear to go through another one wearing jackets.

I have tried 2 different creams prescribed by a dermatologist, as well as a natural product my mum found, however nothing seems to work.

Is my diet and lifestyle (smoking, drinking) really affecting it? My mum often tells me it is but i have never been one to listen to anything, unless i knew that it was actually true.

I need to know if i should be changing the way i am living.

welcome Alex

PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:33 pm
by richo
hi Alex, and welcome , you hear health experts say give up smoking and maintain healthy weight and eat green leaf vegies , however i have done all such things and in my case doesnt seem to have any great effect on the severity of the psoriasis , however such advice for you to reach a ripe old age is good advice to follow after all you dont want to have cancers ,heart attacks etc on top of your psoriasis now do you!!you dont say how much coverage of psoriasis you have but i think you should try the kight treatment as in my own case this gives good results, at least for you there appears new treatments on the way so hopefully you wont have to cope with the condition for to long, get out in the sun when u can .

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:38 am
by bobsquareflakepants
You sound exactly like the way i was a few years ago. The worst thing u can do now is try to hide away thats what i done and it made everything worse. I was so embarrassed of my psoriasis i would not go into college and barely went outside i just stayed in worrying and obsessing over the psoriasis and i swear it made it worse, as soon started changing my ways accepting the psoriasis, accepting that there are ways to reduce symptoms and realising i have no reason to be ashamed of my p it got better. I even started going out more started a new course in college made new friends and i felt alot happier too. Another important thing to realise is that most people really dont care you have psoriasis its only you that does.
As for the drink i really think u should cut down i was the same i used to binge drink at the weekend it made it worse i now just have an occasional glass or maybe 2 of wine and drink plenty of water. You should at least try cutting down for awhile and see if u notice improvement. I have never smoked but i have noticed after being in a smokey environment my psoriasis seems to get worse. So i now try to avoid this situation. Hurray for the smoking ban in pubs n clubs in ireland!

Drinking/Smoking

PostPosted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:28 pm
by LausB
Hey Alex,

Just registered with this site today. I'm 21 too and sick to death of my psoriasis. I too smoke and drink and i'm seriously considering giving up both of them, just so my elbows are psoriasis free.

More and more people are pointing it out. I've even had a stranger come up to me and say "what's that on ur arms? it looks like carpet burns"!! Charming!

I'm also gonna try cutting out dairy products and switching my normal tea to green tea. I tried Green Tea fo the 1st time today and it's actually ok!

I think drinking and smoking really does affect it. My psoriasis flares up loads if i drink for a couple of nights in a row. So yeah, i will try my hardest!! I'll let u know if i see any change.....

Would love a glass of wine already! :(

PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:25 am
by LizardBoy
I noticed that the more marijuana I smoke, the less I care about psoriasis.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:40 pm
by positivemind
Hi All,
I am new to this site, very informative! I have just been to my first ever Derm appt even tho I have had P for 5 years or so...starting UVB treatment...fingers crossed!
I can almost guarantee that drinking and smoking flare up my skin, even being around things such as burning incense, campfires, pot smoking etc make me irritated.
a couple of years ago I was out drinking every weekend but, decided my health was more important to me...

Of course we can't hide away and not enjoy ourselves...I believe most people are worried about their own issues so will happily point out someone else's to take attention off themselves...if you can find a good balance within your mind and body & feel comfortable telling people you have P, anybody who wishes to judge does not deserve your time anyways!

:D affirmation for the day: I am healthy in mind, body & spirit!

PostPosted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 3:19 am
by adnan
hi Alex:

the most important thing for a P sufferer is to feel OK with it and live with it, i used to bang my head over the wall, then i realized that it will get worser even ! Guys: don't lock yourself behind the bars of other people comments! the P will get worser , all what you have to do is to accept what you have and go search for the help! but please don't lock yourself thinking of your looks...

i believe that most of the P sufferes suffer from the people more than they suffer from the P itself !

For the smooking, yes it does flare up the P,so try to cut it down step by step ==> i am going throgh this process :wink: