Janine's Story

For our first story of Psoriasis Awareness Week, we revisit Janine who has managed her psoriasis mainly through lifestyle change!

I tried everything offered by my GP or dermatologist. I also went private for advice.

Natural treatments, diet and exercise have worked best for me, I have been clear for eight years including through covid.

I self manage my psoriasis with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

My treatments fit easily into my daily life – I drink high quality pure aloe vera first thing every morning to support my gut health and immune system. It works from the inside out, also helps to reduce inflammation. I take marine collagen to support my joints.

I don’t have any active patches of psoriasis but if I get any dry skin I use a bee propolis cream topically.

I eat a healthy diet and limit treats but don’t deprive myself.

I manage my weight through following body composition, this enables to maintain a healthy weight and track my overall health including muscle mass.

I’m very active and spend time in nature, hiking, SUP paddling and enjoy cold water therapy.

A regular at the gym for strength training, I’m 48 now and want to maintain healthy bones and joints as a woman at that time of life.

I don’t miss the itch! I am grateful to have found what works for me.

My advice to someone attending their first GP or dermatology appointment is to go prepared with a list of questions. Be open and honest if it’s affecting your mental health. The Psoriasis Association is an excellent resource for information & support. They also have a Facebook community that can be useful, you are not alone.

Meg's Story

From GP prescribed treatments to self managing tips, Megan shares her experience with how she treats her psoriasis this Psoriasis Awareness Week!

When were you first diagnosed with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis?

I was first diagnosed with psoriasis when I was 9 years old (17 YEARS AGO!) and we think it originally flared due to a throat infection. However, psoriasis does run in my family genetics so it was more a case of “when” rather than “what if”. I have had many episodes over the last 17 years. Each one comes back more aggressively making it more difficult to deal with each time.

What treatment has worked the best for you?

When I say I have tried everything I tried EVERYTHING! Over the years the best things that have worked are Enstilar spray that I got from the doctors after I was featured on BBC Three’s documentary “Skin” but unfortunately I became immune to it this episode. That’s the thing about psoriasis, it is brave so it will build immunity to treatments (thank goodness there are so many options!) In the hospital, the PUVA bath and UVB treatment worked well on me and that was a visit to dermatology three times a fortnight through university. The natural treatments I have found that work best are sun and sea which sadly we don’t have much of here in Wales! When I returned from Tenerife my psoriasis had cleared and that’s when I wished I could just be prescribed a yearly holiday! To really kick this episode I am now on a course of immunosuppressants. I am on Adalimumab injections and I believe taking them in hand with other natural treatments is helping my flare to clear!

How do you manage your psoriasis now?

The true answer is I don’t. Due to the nature of my job as a social media influencer, it really affected my ability to make content. Not only was I red and extremely itchy but I lost a lot of confidence as well. When I was younger it never really affected me but as I’ve grown up and have begun dating it does affect my confidence massively and this flare-up really spun me. Thankfully I do have a wonderful team of doctors and dermatologists. They are so understanding and helpful. I think once you are in a flare up it is hard to imagine life without one but you just have to keep pushing and believing it will happen for you. My friends and family have been so supportive and sympathetic during this time even though none of them suffer from it. They have helped me realise it doesn’t change who I am and that it will pass in time.

How do you fit your treatments around your everyday life? When do you find it best to apply/take your treatment?

I take my natural treatments every morning as part of my morning routine and I inject my immunosuppressants once every two weeks. This makes it far easier to manage than having to visit the hospital 3 times a week (like I did when I was younger) and I’ve had very fast relief.

How do you combat the itch?

This is so hard! I took weekly dead sea salt baths for as long as I could to try and soothe it as well as using body butters. My psoriasis isn’t sensitive to products like this so I just tried to keep it hydrated. I also invested in a back scratcher for those hard-to-reach areas or rubbed my back on the door frames like Baloo the bear in the Jungle Book!

What advice would you give to someone who is about to attend their first GP or dermatologist appointment?

Be honest and tell them everything! The way I go into my appointments has changed as I’ve gotten older as it’s affected my mental health more. Take photos that you can show, I did this recently and my dermatologist could see how bad and how quickly it had flared up. Do your research on treatments! I was able to skip a treatment as I knew it wouldn’t agree with me so I went in with the facts and got put on treatments that worked for me!

Try to stay positive, there will be bad days and then there will be months without a flare-up. It is one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with both physically and mentally but each time I have gotten through it. You will get through this too!

What led you to start taking biologics?

I had tried all other available treatments, and none had any real success.

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Were you able to ask to be put on a biologic of your choice when researching their effectiveness?

There was only 1 available at that time, my Prof explained it really well.

Have you been on more than one biologic therapy?

I am currently on my 9th biologic.

What are the most common side effect you experience?

No common side effects for me, only occasional soreness around injection sires.

Were you nervous about starting a biologic?

No, I was desperate as nothing had worked.

Did the consultant discuss why this would be the best option for you?

Yes, I have a great relationship with my Prof and we discuss all treatments.

Are you monitored closely?

Regular bloods and follow up consultations, plus the usual screenings one has before taking a biologic such as chest x-ray.

Has it been successful in managing your symptoms?

My current biologic is the best yet at treating my symptoms, most of the biologics have had some success in treating me.

Did you have to try a few before finding the right one for you?

Yes, some I did really well on, they do appear to be ok improving though

What advice would you give to someone who is about to start biologics?

Education, education, education. The more you know the better. Do not be afraid to ask questions.

Is there anything you wish you knew before starting?

I wish I had known they could fail and also know that so many new ones would be just around the corner.

Do you have any tips for remembering to take your biologics?

I use a desk diary for my delivery dates and injection dates, this is also backed up on my phone which links into Alexa who also reminds me.