Psoriasis

[Butternut]

Has anyone seen good results for a cure of this terrible heartache of a disease?

[Kunzieo]

As a pharm tech, I have seen some pretty good results with Enbrel. However, it is super expensive, and can be hard to get covered for psoriasis, (as it's main indication is Rheumatoid Arthritis).

As far as I can tell, it's pretty hit and miss with topicals, some seem to help a little bit sometimes, but sometimes not.

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I have psoriatic rheumatoid arthritis and I get Enbrel for it. It is the only medication that has ever worked on it. The previous poster is right it is very expensive and I got it because of the arthritis, but it cleared my psoriasis.

[rn/writer, RN]

Before looking for a cure, the patient and doc should be certain the lesions are psoriasis. I was misdiagnosed for years by an otherwise excellent dermatologist. Might explain why none of the treatments (and there were many) cleared up the problem areas very well.

Finally, one of the docs at my primary care office asked if I'd ever had the lesions biopsied. No, I hadn't.

She did the deed and found that I had a somewhat rare fungal infection that did, indeed, look like psoriasis but required completely different topical meds.

Once I received the correct medication, I had a huge improvement in a couple of days and the lesions were gone in 1-2 weeks. After years of only minor improvement, this seemed like a miracle. I have occasional flare-ups, but several days of the medication and they disappear for many, many months.

I'm so thankful the family practice doc suggested the biopsy, or I'd still be suffering.

[Tabbycoley]

I have had psoriasis for many years and have suffered as you. tried many treatments. what has worked for me to keep it under control is TANNING. I go after my shift every day that I work (not on my days off) My derm. wanted me to try lazer therapy in her office along with my injections. I just didn't want to be in her office 2x a week. Being a nurse is very stressful and that can trigger flar ups. the tanning helps with the flair ups and gives me a chance to relax after a STRESSFUL day. I've beentanning for about 2 years now and my skin has never been better. I can wear a bikinni or backless shirt and not be embarrassed. Now I know the risk of skin ca but as with any med treatment there are risk I have weight the risk and bennys for me this was the best choice. I also thought about enbral (weakens your immune system not the best idea for working in a hospital.) If you ever want to chat I'm here it's alway nice to know that your not alone.

[Katnip, RN]

We can't give medical advice here.

The best thing anyone can tell you is to find a really good dermatologist. I have psoriasis and am fighting the insurance company for a new topical since nothing else has helped. I'm sure we'll win since the doc is going to bat for me on this.