Photo time....

So, I thought it was finally time to share some photos of my progress. The before pictures were taken the first week, when I had the initial assessment and one session. The after pics were taken this past Saturday, April 23rd. Just to add, I used photoshop simply to put the crop the photos and place them side by side and add text. The result of my skin is, thankfully, in no way photoshopped.

Photo 1: Right arm

Photo 2: Right leg

Photo 3: Right thigh (side)

Photo 4: Right thigh (back)

Photo 5: Left thigh (back)

Photo 6: Left arm

Photo 7: Right hand

As you can see from the photos, it has faded alot. My skin is so much smoother compared to the roughness I felt only 6 weeks ago. I am really glad I did this treatment, as the results are showing, it is working. I still have 4 more sessions to go, but after that I hope that the natural sunlight and MTX will help keep it under control.

Any questions, comments etc are always welcome.

Sarah

Day 17 & 18 - Week 6 completed

Apologies for the delay, been a tiresome few days. First off, Happy Easter....aaand on with the blogging :)

Day 17 started the same as always, as mentioned before its always the same routine when I go in. My skin gets checked over before getting ready and heading into the phototherapy machine. My physio is still happy with my progress, as am I. Today, I was upto 1 minute and 52 seconds, marching in the machine. I had gotten a blood test at my doctor that morning before my appointment, which I have to get every 2 months due to being on MTX and I had to remove the covering of the injection for the light, thankfully, I don't bleed too much after getting my bloods done. Once I got home, it was time to moisturise, which has definitely helped my skin stay smooth.

Day 18, last day of week 6 and treatment number 17. My usual physio was not in, so I had a nurse attending, who I actually had for one session on my first week of treatment, and she was really surprised at how well my skin had progressed. Today would take me over the 2 minute mark, 2 minutes and 3 seconds. I was told with the weather being nice recently (not on that particular day though :/) that I should either cover up from the sun or wear SPF 30 on exposed areas. She explains that if my skin was to be exposed to sunlight for too long, that next session in the box could cause me to get burned. Something to keep in mind!

I have only 4 sessions left to go, with my next session not being until next Wednesday due to Monday being a Bank Holiday here in Ireland. So I will have 2 days next week, and the week after, due to another Bank Holiday, and then May 6th, I will officially be finished. I think my last session will be a longer session to assess how the treatment has impacted my life, compared to the answers I gave first day of how psoriasis was affected my lifestyle.

I have photos I took before the treatment, and photos of how those same areas currently look after 6 weeks, so I will try and get the comparison photos up sometime today or tomorrow.

Enjoy the long weekend, take care.

Sarah

Day 16 - Week 6 Begins

So today, Monday, was my 15th session. I am now up to 1 minute and 44 seconds, which again, i'm definitely feeling the heat from. After todays session I was given a letter for my consulting dermatologist, basically a form for him to fill out as to whether treatment will be stopped after this week or continue on for another 1 or 2 weeks.

My appointment with my dermatologist went well, and he seemed happy with my progress. He looked over my skin and said that as usual, the legs are always the last to clear up, which in my case, on my upper legs, is true. He asked me if I would be happy doing a few more weeks of treatment, I was a bit hesitant at first, so he said for 21 sessions instead of 24. Which I was happy enough to do, as it does not interfere with any upcoming plans.

I was then told that the skin doesn't always clear up completely, that some redness of the skin can still remain and that once the treatment is done and if we have good weather (this is Ireland after all), that I could go out walking in the mornings in shorts and a t-shirt, without sun lotion for 20 minutes a day as this would continue to help the process, hopefully, along with the Methotrexate.

Was also told that I don't need to book my usual 6 month check up unless I felt it was needed down the line, he wished my well and I was on my way.

So 15 sessions down, means I have 6 to go before I finish up and can back to not visiting hospitals so regularly (heres hoping). Two more sessions booked for this week, so let the last of the progress begin :)

Sarah

Day 14 & 15 - Week 5 done

So lack of updates due to not be allowed update my blog last week and then not being around to do so. Just to make it easier to follow, will post about the start of week 6 in a seperate blog post :)

So Wednesday, I was still going up by 10%  and was now on 1 minute and 24 seconds. Friday, I was up to 1 minute and 32. Nothing out of the ordinary either day. I do find myself feeling a bit tired as the time gets longer and feel the heat more. Even worse when you are marching on the spot.

Monday is the start of my sixth week and I follow my appointment at the hospital by an check up with my dermatologist. I did find over the weekend that I had heat spots I guess they are called, which were itchy but have since gone.

Update from the start of week 6 next.


Sarah

Day 13 - Week 5 begins

So after a weekend of fun in Dublin, as well as travelling back and forth by bus, Monday morning comes after an amazing night sleep!

First thing was first, I was asked about any redness as I was waiting for the machine to warm up. I told her about the redness on my lower back and upper arms as mentioned in my last entry. The redness lasted til about Saturday night, maybe Sunday morning, all of which was noted.

My dosage was then lowered, going up by 10%, instead of 20%. The time would increase by only 1 second, bringing it up to 1 minute and 16 seconds. I was then told after that I shouldn't have any redness after today so I will be keeping an eye on my skin, just to be sure.

Back again on Wednesday, and will see if the progress will still be slowed down.
Take care,

Sarah

Day 12 - 2 Weeks to go....

Today was the completion of week 4, and it was probably best to leave this entry til this late to write up, which will be explained further down. It was the usual routine, now up to 1 minute and 15 seconds, and when you are marching in spot for that long, you tend to feel the heat and how slow time seems to go.

All was well, I paid for the week and booked my times for next week. When I got home I moisturised with the lighter cream. I still felt quite warm, and figured being the nice sunny day that it was, that it was part of it.

Tonight before I went for a shower I felt that my back was very warm, and when I looked in the mirror, found it was very red. It was the same on my upper arms. It looked fairly red and feels a bit like sunburn. I guess this is what was meant when I was told to expect some redness when the times get longer. I get asked before every session if I experienced any redness or itching, so this will be recorded by my physio on Monday for my next session and we'll see how things go from there.

Until I start my (possibly) second last week, take care and have a good weekend

Sarah

Day 10 & 11 - Week 4

Lack of updates due to my dog not being well on Monday evening, and later having to be put down this morning. So you can imagine the emotions are all over the place (take into account, she was a part of our lives for over 16 years). So I do feel stressed and maybe my skin will suffer for it, but its not like i'm going to hide my emotions to prevent it, just not possible right now :(

But on with the treatment blogging. Monday, I was up to 52 seconds. All was well, no redness or itchiness.

Wednesday, approx. 60 seconds (not sure of the exact time). I was told that I should expect to see some redness as I get over the minute mark due to being in there longer. All was well so far today, a bit itchy in places but no redness and my skin was feeling good when moisturising.

I was reminded about making a dermatologist appointment, which I did last week. I see my derm again on the Monday of my 6th week, April 18th. He will then assess my skin and possibly recommend 2 more weeks if he thinks it is necessary.

Update on Friday on my final day of week 4. Until then, take care

Sarah

Day 9 - Week 3 down

Today was the final day of my third week, so I am halfway through so far. I am now on 43% from 36%....I am going up in 20% as I have heard my physio say, but I not sure dosage wise what exactly that means. I was in today for 40 seconds, so I'm really progressing timewise also.

I think it is still going well although I felt some irritation in areas but I think it might be more stress related.

Starting week 4 on Monday, til then, take care :)

Sarah