December Update....

Hi all! Hope everyone is doing well since my last post. I do apologise for the lack of posts as I'm having laptop issues and waiting on a part to be delivered. But on with the update....

So I didn't update through November, which was also due to being busy with work. I had another visit back to my Rheumatologist. I had experienced quite bad stiffness in my elbow in the days leading up to my visit, and unfortunately my skin hasn't been behaving lately. With the winter setting in, it could be down to the changes but it has been fairly mild temperature wise here. 

My rheum did discuss with me about changing medication, to which I wasn't open to. As previously posted about, my current medication, Stelara, is the third different biologic I've tried this year. I was told about a different oral medication I could try but due to being of 'child bearing age' it was not something he would be comfortable putting me on.

We decided that it would be best to give the higher dosage a fairer chance (only one 90mg had been taken at that stage). I was due to take my next dosage the first week of December but due to not being well, I was put on a course of antibiotics and could then take Stelara. I got a steroid injection to my side to relieve the stiffness and pain I had been feeling in my joints and sent on my way.

A week later and I was feeling better, I then waited another 3 days before I took my next injection. The 90mg dosage came as one injection, instead of two, which made life a lot easier. I have become more confident at injecting, considering at the start of the year it was something I felt sick at the thought of but I'm am grateful for having learnt this.

As previously mentioned above, my skin hasn't been agreeing with me lately, especially on my legs, upper arms and lately my scalp. I find scalp psoriasis to be one of the more annoying things, as well as being itchy, you have to deal with flakes through your hair and on your clothes. I have found one or two dots appearing on my face lately as well, so I'm hoping it is not reappearing there but I guess this time I am more prepared for it. Last year when my face was covered, I took it very badly, hated going out in public and felt the need to avoid certain situations. I have found some very good foundations and good application techniques which would help if I feel the need to cover it, as well as becoming a stronger person to be able to deal with it uncovered in public.

Have you found your skin/joints to be flaring up this time of year? What do you find helps?


I hope to update before the year is out, but if I don't get the chance to, I hope everyone has a lovely flake-free Christmas! Stayed tuned for bigger and better to come in 2016 :)

Until next time.....

Sarah x

World Psoriasis Day 2015....

If you didn't know, now you do! Today, October 29th is World Psoriasis day. A day celebrated worldwide by many a Psoriasis sufferer, to educate others, and also to acknowledge how far treatments have come over the years with so many options now available.

I know Psoriasis is something, if we all could choose, we wouldn't want to have it. But there are positives to come from it and for me a bit part of that was how much of a community you will find from fellow itchys. People are so eager to educate as well as share their own experiences and advise when times are tough.

For myself, the Psoriasis Ireland group on Facebook has been so helpful and so welcoming, be it to rant or rave, you'll always find someone who will set you on the right path. There are plenty of forums out their also, as well as other Facebook pages/groups from different countries.

I want to end this by sharing a video by a beautiful little girl named Pearl, who is an inspiration in speaking out about how it feels to live with Psoriasis and deal with it from a young age. I wish I had her confidence. When I developed it at age 17, it was the awkward years, in high school and a lot of focus on how you look. I wish I was a brave as this girl back then, thankfully I have grown a lot as a person since :)

Until next time......

Sarah x

Double the fun.....

I must apologise for the lack of posts lately, there has been a few bits going on in my personal life that I have had to deal with, so I chose to take a break from blogging for a while.

While one issue I was dealing with is something I hope to deal with in a future post, it's not exactly psoriasis related, but stress related....so in a way I guess it is psoriasis related.

To update on my ongoing treatment, I took my 45mg Stelara as usual in August and had a return visit to my Rheum in September. He was happy with my progress, but unfortunately my arthritis was active, in my knee, elbow (which doesn't straightened properly these days) and now my ankle. My ankle had been giving me trouble for a while, and I found an ankle support did help when at work. When I bought new runners to replace my old, falling apart Golas, I found my ankle to be better supported.

With my PsA being active, but my skin coming along well, my rheum decided to up the dosage from 45mg (1 injection) to 90mg (2 injections). I was prescribed one injection to boost me up to 90mg from my old dosage a month earlier. I have been feeling great, my joints feel a lot better in that I have been doing more things that I couldn't do as well in about a year or so. My skin has had its ups and downs, mostly on my right leg but still nowhere near my worst flares.

I am due back to my rheum in November, to see how I'm finding the higher dose. I am due to take my next 90mg on Nov. 21st, all going well. In the mean time I hope to post a bit more often as I have had a few ideas during my blog break.

If you have an suggestions on any topics or issues you would like to see covered, leave it in the comments below :)

Until next time.....

Sarah x

Quick update.....

Apologies for the lack of updates lately, life has been quite busy with work, outings and a friends wedding. I wanted to update on my progress with my skin and my treatment as of late.

It wasn't too long ago I wrote about my experience with Stelara so far. Two weeks ago, I did my third Stelara injection. I did feel it this time, but didn't hesitate for too long because the sooner you do it (once prepared) the quicker it's over with. I had found my skin to be getting worse, but now I do see improvements going forward. There are still some stubborn patches near my ankle that aren't cooperating.

As for my joints, I find that I am not wearing the right shoes for my feet, therefore I do get a lot of pain in my knees and more recently my right ankle. I have also found my right elbow to be fairly painful also, especially when lifting etc. in work. I am due to see my rheum just over a weeks time, so I look forward to seeing what he makes of my progress.

I don't think the recent spate of bad weather has helped either. Do you find your skin/joints acting up when the weather worsens? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.

Until next time.....

Sarah x

My experience with Stelara.....

The final instalment of this series, brings up to my final and current treatment, Stelara...

After Cimzia, I was given a month to get it out of my system and then I made the decision to go with my next option, Stelara. This is a 45mg syringe injection. The good thing about this is it has a spring mechanism in the injection, that once it has been distributed, it encases itself within a metal reel and plastic casing. This is a great feature making it safer to dispose without the risk of needless touching of the needle once injected.

I first started Stelara on May 9th, a day after finishing up with light treatment. I found it much easier to inject that previous biologics. After my first time, I did feel a big sick; scratchy throat, slight runny nose but nothing major and it didn't last very long.

Second injection was June 6th, 4 weeks after the first one. Again, similar symptoms as above but nothing that lasted. Two days later, I was off on holiday to sunnier climates. The first two days of sun I found my upper arms and chest to become quite red and itchy which I've recently found out is sensitivity to light, Urticaria. It cleared within a few days thankfully. While on holiday, I safely enjoyed the sun and my skin showed signs of improvement, I was returning home a week later much clearer.

Unfortunately, once I was home a few days my skin flared, but not to the extent it had been. The doctor said it due to coming home to a different climate but also the stresses that we forget about while on holidays. 

It's now two months since holidays and my skin, sadly, has become aggregated. I'm not due to take my next injection until August 29th (every 12 weeks after the 2nd injection). I have asked other about their experience with Stelara and they have said it usually starts working from the 3rd or 4th injection, so I'm holding out hope that it will be the case.

Are you on Stelara? Share your experience.

Until next time.....

Sarah x

My experience with Cimzia.....

Continuing on the series from my previous experience, which was a negative one with Enbrel.

When I went back to my rheumatologist on March 2nd to review my progress with 25mg Enbrel with 10mg MTX, it was decided I would try Cimzia. Now, I had not heard about Cimzia, and thought the next step would be Stelara. I was to start the following Monday, March 9th. At this stage I was already after two weeks of light treatment in order to relieve my skin of the damage Enbrel had done.

Cimzia consists of two 200mg prefilled syringes (400mg in total) to be injected into each thigh, on the same day as each other. This was the starting dose, And I was still on MTX to help make the injection more effective. As it is such a high dosage, it is to be done every two weeks, 400mg for the first 6 weeks and then 1 thereafter.

 

 (Cimzia starter pack - 2 x 200mg prefilled syringes)

A week and a half after the initial injections, I started to notice pink dots around the injection sites on both thighs. The following day, they appeared as large, red, raised patches and felt hot and itchy. Concerned, I talked to my nurse at light treatment the following day and she reduced the UVB due to the reaction and said to ask my doctor about skipping the next session. This was a Friday morning and unfortunately meant it was proving quite difficult to get my rheumatologist on the phone and I gave up when I didn't get a call back. To my surprise, Saturday morning, I get a call from my rheum to see how I was doing. He heard my concerns and advised me to cancel Monday's session to let the reaction fade, and to not take Cimzia any further.

I continued with my light treatment and revisited my rheum where we decided to give my system a break before starting any different, and to think about starting Stelara in a months time as my next option, which is the next and final topic of this series to discuss.

Have you any experience with Cimzia or any biologics mentioned above?

Until next time....

Sarah x

Review: Bioderma

Firstly, I apologise for the lack of posts, life has been a bit busy/ stressful. Unfortunately this has also resulted in my psoriasis flaring up a bit.. But back to blogging....So you may have seen my recent Bioderma haul, well I feel like I've finally had a chance to put them through their paces and to be honest, none have failed to impress me...

(Bioderma BB Cream)

When I first tried out the Bioderma BB Cream, I wasn't too happy after spending the money on it. I applied it with a foundation brush, and it just seem to cake on my cheeks. I had given up on it but decided to give it another try, this time using my Blank Canvas blending sponge. It applied like a dream, covered my redness which tends to be around my nose and cheek areas, it really gave a flawless, even coverage to my skin. I didn't feel the need to set it with powder.

                                           (Before)                                             (After)

As you can see from the above photos, I am a bit tanned on my face but suffer from quite a bit of redness. The photo on the right is using the BB Cream, which as I previously said, really evens out my skintone and hides all the redness on my face. I'm looking forward to using it further and testing its lasting power. It does only come in one shade 'Light' which can be too dark for paler complexions.

The Bioderma miceller water has been leaving my skin so soft, especially when it comes to removing makeup using the product. Due to work I tend to be outside most of the day and exposed to all kinds of weather (which unfortunetly has been mostly rain lately!) as well as sea air so I like to try and use this to cleanse my fair from any harsh condition my skin endures. I hope to invest in a bigger bottle once I'm done with the smaller option, well worth a try!

Until next time.....

Sarah x

My experience with Enbrel....

It is that time again, another installment. If you have missed my previous posts, I have gone into detail about my experience with topical ointments, tonsilectomy, methotrexate and phototheraphy. Today I talk about my most negative experience to date, which happened at the start of 2015...

In my other post regarding Methotrexate, I ended up feeling very ill while taking a higher dosage in December 2014, while also developing psoriatic arthritis in my elbow earlier that year also. At this time, I also found my skin to be bumpy around the back of my thighs leading me to think maybe my Psoriasis was becoming active again but it wasn't happening at a rapid rate, thankfully. I was always given the options of changing to biologics, but was put off at the thought of having to inject myself. To reference Psoriasis.org, Biologics :- "target specific parts of the immune system. The biologics used to treat psoriatic disease block the action of a specific type of immune cell called a T cell, or block proteins in the immune system, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 17-A, or interleukins 12 and 23. These cells and proteins all play a major role in developing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis."

Enbrel (etanercept) was prescribed to me in January 2015. With Enbrel, you have a nurse assigned to you who comes to your house and helps to teach you how to inject it yourself. Thursday January 8th was going to be the start date and I was to try 50mg, which comes in pen form (myclic pen pictured above). The injection areas to choose from are either the thighs or stomach, I found the thighs to be the area of choice, alternating between left and right each week. To use the pen, the cap is taken off, and the pen is place on the top of the thigh, pushing down so the guard is pushed back and once you're ready the button is pushed releasing the needle. The first time I did it, I did it wrong as the nurse had confused me saying to count to 10, but I was supposed to wait for the second click (which they say is 10 seconds, sounding that it is been dispensed). Due to my mistake, I didn't get a full dose, but I'd know better for next time, being a weeks time. 

Thursday January 15th, My nurse was unable to attend my home. I remember it the weather had been quite bad around that time, including snowfall in higher areas. I managed to inject myself, after about a half hour of building myself up, it was a case of "F**k it! *click*". I did find the pen to be painful. The nurse had asked if I would prefer to use a syringe which I felt sick at the thought of, but she made a good point that with the syringe you have more control. Once you click the button on the pen, its a case of grin and bare it. That same evening I found the back of my thighs and my scalp to be very itchy. As I've said above, it did have a few bumps on the back of my thighs, which felt more like pimples than anything else and didn't really bother me until then. 

Monday Jan. 19th, and I woke up feeling horrible, I had symptoms of a sore throat, runny nose, feeling cold and headaches at night. These symptoms persisted as the week went on and due to my next injection due on Thursday it was decided I would give it a miss. It should be noted that if you do feel sick while on a biologic and are due to take it around that time, it is best to not take it, as you could become more ill. My throat had worsened by Thursday and I felt congested in my nose.

I was sure to keep track of my symptoms and injections in my Enbrel diary. I also kept track of my psoriasis, which by Saturday 24th had worsened. It was now showing on my scalp, legs, back, stomach and my face. I was also still very congested at this stage. The following week I had noticed red patches on my thighs where I had injected. I contacted my nurse who had said to keep an eye on them. They were slightly red and a small bit raised but I was told nothing to worry about. It was now Thursday the 29th and as I was still sick, I was missing another injection, making it two weeks in a row without Enbrel. 

Monday Feb. 2nd which was a visit to my Rheumatologist who had prescribed Enbrel, for a month review. While in the last month, my joints had felt great, my skin was going the opposite way. He thought maybe the dosage was too much to start on so halved my dose to 25mg every week and to take a low dose of Methotrexate to help make it more effective.

I started my new routine of 25mg of Enbrel the following Monday, the 9th. The nurse had made the visit to help show me how to inject with a pre-filled syringe which is how 25mg comes. She got to see how back my skin had become and had supported my decision to go back to my dermatologist about my worsening skin and the possibility of starting phototherapy again. I took 10mg of MTX the same day, which was followed by 10mg of folic acid two days later.

I did find it strange injected with a syringe, but I managed to do so the second week with no supervision. I managed to get an appointment with my Dermatologist Feb. 17th and he looked over my skin and agreed with my thoughts on light treatment and I signed the appropriate forms and was book in for Feb. 23rd. I had 3 doses of 25mg of Enbrel in total before I was back to my rheumatologist for another review, and it was decided Enbrel was not beneficial to me and so it was stopped.

I was very unfortunate that Enbrel did more harm than good for me as I have heard and seen stories of how it has helped others with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis. My Psoriasis had gotten so bad over my entire body, especially on my face which at times I felt I had to cover with makeup to avoid stares which were quite hurtful. I went on to continue phototherapy until May 8th 2015. I found it to be an expensive year as phototherapy 3 times a week at €30 a time which may not have been necessary had I not been prescribed Enbrel. Add in he cost of doctors visits on top of that and the fact I wasn't working. It probably seems like i'm cursing Enbrel and in a way, it was a negative experience but it did prepare me in other ways, such as injecting as I believe the nurse service is not available with some biologics.

As I always say, what happens to one might not happen to another and I know people whose lives have been made better by Enbrel. Its just a case of finding what works individually.

Did you have a similar experience? or what do you find works for you? let me know below.

Until next time....

Sarah x

Haul: Bioderma....

I decided to do something different today, a haul of recent skincare products. I always want to try and do whats best for my skin, even if I don't succeed in doing so. Recently the French skincare company Bioderma have launched in Ireland and I have been intrigued with all the hype about it lately so I decided to purchase a few products to try it out for myself.

 I was immediately drawn to some products that were developed for sensitive skin as I've said before, its hard to find a good skincare routine for myself especially for my face as I find a lot of things seem to break me out. I hope to do a future post reviewing these items properly but for now, here's what I picked up;

 (Bioderma BB Cream in Light)

I've heard alot about the Bioderma BB Cream, both good and bad. It only comes in one shade - Light, which tend to be too dark for fairer complexions. The product contains SPF 30 and claims to "Even out the complexion. Moisturises and soothes". It is aimed towards sensitive skin which is prone to rosacea. While I don't have rosacea, I do tend to get a lot of redness around my nose and cheeks which can sometimes show through in some BB creams/ foundations. I did give this a quick try when I bought it, i prepped and primed my skin and applied it using a foundation brush. I don't know if my skin was prepped enough or if I should use the method of a makeup sponge but it tend to cake on my cheeks. I'm not writing it off just yet as the colour is quite good with my natural tan right now so I will update when I give it a second try. This retails at €17.50, while it isn't the most expensive, I did splurge a bit on this so I hope it will be worth it.

 (Bioderma Miceller Water)

This is one of the first Bioderma products I had heard people raving about, the Bioderma Miceller solution. This can be used as a make up remover or a cleanser. I had used the Garnier and Nivea sensitive miceller waters and had found them to leave my face feeling hot as though it was causing a reaction so I stopped using them. I'm looking forward to trying this out, but I will be trying a patch test first to be safe. Its says "Cleanses, removes make-up and soothes sensitive skin. Excellent tolerance. Non-rinse. Paraben free. Hypoallergenic." As I have said before, I don't use make-up daily, only for nights out/ special occasions so I look forward to seeing how well this will remove my make-up. The 100ml bottle pictured retails at €5.50. I decided to the smaller option and if I like it, I'll look into purchase the bigger bottle.

 

(Bioderma Moisturising Stick)

I picked up this lip balm as something extra to try out as I always seem to pick up new lip products to try out. It is for Damaged and dehydrated lips, which I have had a problem with lately and I wanted to see if this might be as good as my trusty Blistex relief cream, and to be honest it is! I have been using it for about a week now and find it so hydrating on the lips and leaves them feeling lovely and soft with no stickiness from the product. Only downside is there is no SPF, but its not a major flaw. It cost €3.50 which seems to be the typical price for lip products these days. Well worth trying.

I will be sure to do more in depth reviews when I have tried these products further. Have you tried their products? Let me know which are your favourite!

Until next time....

Sarah x 

My experience with Phototherapy (light treatment).....

Welcome back again to another installment. Today I'm going to discuss Phototherapy, also known as light treatment or UVB. I have gone into further detail about this in past blog posts, on weekly to daily basis so this is going to be a summery of my experience and just explaining what phototherapy is.

Phototherapy involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis and under medical supervision, in my case, in a hospital. This is very different to tanning beds which are advised against using for skin conditions as it is not beneficial and does more harm than good. UVB (ultraviolet B) is present in natural sunlight and slows the growth of affected skin cells, therefore helping psoriasis.

I have been through this treatment three times, in 2011, 2013 and 2015. If you'd like to go back to my first post on the intial assessment where I go into detail about what happens for the first session, check it out by clicking here. 

My first and second time doing the treatment were very beneficial, to the point that my skin cleared, or was close to clearing. I do wonder if the more you go for the treatment, the less effective it become. My third time doing the treatment, was when I had flared due to Enbrel (which will be in more detail in the next installment). It seemed like my skin was more stubborn, and a mixture of trying new biologics had maybe played a part in it also. 

As I came to the end of my third time, which was only the start of May this year, I still wasn't happy with my skin. It had progressed, but not to the extent it had done in the past. I would really recommend this treatment for anyone with very bad psoriasis, but not to be doing so too often. My doctor said after a few hundred session that it would be considered a higher risk to skin cancer. Each time I had only done 20 - 28 sessions at most so I don't have to worry just yet.

Another thing about this treatment is that once the days session is done, it is very important to try and avoid the sun for the remainder of the day and use sun cream when outside. Reason being, at each session you are getting your days dosage of sunlight recommended.

Any questions, or anything you feel I should go into more detail about, leave it in the comments below.

Until next time....

The "Me Time" Tag....

Back with another tag! This time the "Me Time" tag. Lets face it, we all need some 'Me Time', especially since Psoriasis is linked to stress, we all need to do little things to unwind, so here are mine....

What do you watch/read during me time?Reading usually consists of interesting or sad stories online. As for watching, I do love when Game of Thrones is in season and would catch up on a weekly basis. Lately its been all about Orange is the new black since it is back again. Usually watch it curled up in bed with himself.

What do you wear during me time?
PJs! with a comfy bathrobe, more times than not. Otherwise it would be a tshirt and tracksuit bottoms. Can't forget the slippers either :)

What are your me time beauty products?
I'm not one for using too many beauty products, but I am going to try and get into a proper facial skincare routine soon. I just like my hot shower, pampering my hair with a nice hair mask and hydrating my skin with E45. My skin tends to be very sensitive so it is hard to find a face mask that wouldn't break me out unfortunately, the search continues!

Current favourite nail polish?
Really liking NYC's Park Ave (246) its a nice mink/light brownish kind of colour. Not too dark for the summer.

What do you eat/drink during me time?
Probably be a takeaway, or a bit of junk food. Maltesers especially...yum!


Current favourite candle?
Anything Vanilla scented!

Do you ever have outdoor me time?Sometimes its nice to walk the dog on my own. I live in the countryside so it is quite calm and peaceful compared to the town or city which is nice to explore especially through the seasons and see the changes around. Also a trip to a local beach can be rather relaxing, just sitting watching the waves.

Would you ever go see a movie alone?Its something I haven't done and I'm not sure I would unless I couldn't convince someone to see a movie I really wanted to see. I think the company makes the trip a better experience too. My friend and I used to always go most weeks and it was more like a catch up and a laugh.

Favourite online shop?
Clothing and accessory-wise, I love New Look and Forever 21. I think Ebay is great for finding somethings that may be hard to find elsewhere or random gadgets.




Anything else to add?
Sometimes listening to music, a song that reminds me of good times, going for a drive or watching a movie on the couch are all other ways I get to relax. I find myself not having much time these days with work but I do look forward to the simple things on days off :)

Lastly, any bloggers that want to do this tag, I tag everyone. I found this tag randomly, so someone else might do also. If not a blogger, why not pick a few questions from above and give your answers in the comments below.

Until next time....

Sarah x

My experience with Methotrexate

Welcome back again to the second installment of this series, this time about my experience with Methotrexate...

In 2006, the same year I had gone through the tonsillectomy, I had noticed my right knee was very swollen to the point that it was double the size of my left knee. When I had a check up with my dermatologist I had asked about my knee, he then informed me that Psoriatic arthritis is a possibility due to having Psoriasis and he refered me to a rheumatologist to look into it further.

I believe it was around September of the same year that I first saw another new doctor. He checked out my knee and said it was fluid after building up which is why is was that size. He then drained the fluid and showed me it in a cup. It was yellowish in colour 'like Heineken' my doctor proclaimed. I was also given any anti-inflammatory injection in my knee in the hope it would keep it calm.

I saw my doctor every few months and had fluid drained a few times, thankfully not to the extent of my first visit. He gave me a leaflet about Methotrexate (MTX) a tablet (also available in injection form nowadays) which was known to be good for types of Arthritis. I came to the decision I would try it in the hope it would help. I was then sent for a chest X-ray which has to be done upon starting MTX, as well as regular blood tests to keep a check on liver functions, as it can have an effect on the liver. I started on a low dose of 5mg, followed by folic acid two days later. The dosage was increased as the weeks went on, to 15mg, if I remember correctly. MTX can be disruptive to the stomach and I did experience a few stomach aches but it was worth it to help my knees.

I was still on MTX up until Decemeber 2014. Over the years I have had the dosage switched up and down, depending on how bad/ or well behaved my knees were. The highest I was on was 25mg, which did not agree with me back in December and ultimately was the final straw in changing to a biologic which my rheumatologist had always offered as an alternative.

Another reason for going off MTX was due to developing psoriatic arthritis in my left knee and also last year, in my right elbow. I visited my doctor every two to three months and was usually given a steroid injection to help with any inflammation which may have been happening at the time.

I found that MTX was effective for a while, as I was on it long enough but I just found as the years went on I needed to try something different. I think it is a good option to start off on if you are new to psoriatic arthritis and are unsure of the biologics which are usually injections. I have heard other peoples experience with this drug that they could not that it as it would make them feel so ill. Also it is not recommended to drink alcohol while on it due to the possibility of it having an affect on liver function, which is another thing that turns people off. As stated above, it is now available in injection form, something that wasn't an option when I started and I have heard some people say they prefer this method. 

Its all down to personal preference and we need to remember that even if one thing doesn't work for you but works for someone else, there are plenty of options out there. That is something that will ring through when I talk about Enbrel.

Again, any questions you might have about MTX, don't hesitate to ask.

Until next time....

Sarah x

Holiday post: Mallorca....

Hope everyone is well. I thought it would be nice to share some of my holiday stories and pictures here. I certainly took my own advice when it came to suncare and thankfully didn't managed to get burned which seems like a first for me. Two days before the holiday I took my second Stelara injection and didn't feel any side effects bar a scratchy throat, which didn't last too long.

Myself and my boyfriend booked a week away in Mallorca in June as we were invited to a family wedding there and decided we'd make a holiday out of it. We booked back in January and got a good deal on flights and hotel, travel from Palma airport to Santa Ponsa only cost €40 each way which wasn't too bad.

Our flight was 6am on a Monday morning, which was found was the best way to go as we had a full first day of exploring. we found that we were less than a five minute walk from the beach and had plenty of choice nearby with pubs and restaurants. We strolled around and found our bearings. Being the first day and still being self conscious, i wore 3/4 shorts, so as to cover up most of my psoriasis.

We had a small pool at the hotel with sun loungers. We found it to be quiet there the first few days so did spend a bit of time sunning ourselves here. The first day, I sat on the side and dipped my legs in. I haven't been in a swimming pool in about 15 years and so was a little cautious as to how it might affect my skin. On top of that, I should mention I can't swim! Luckily the pool was shallow enough.

 

(Our pool shaded by the neighbouring hotel on the evenings)

From the second day on, it was all about shorts. I forgot about what people could see on my skin and thought about the positives the sun would have on my skin. I even threw on a swimsuit and joyed himself in the pool. It felt good to be out of my comfort zone and since then I've been thinking about getting swimming lessons to conquer my fear.

We spent most evenings eating out, which is cheaper compared to home. It was nice to experience different restaurants, especially in such beautiful settings near the beach.

Everytime I did head out into the sunshine, I used my factor 50, topping it up as the day went on. In the evenings it was a bit cooler so there wasn't a need. Later in the week, I switched to factor 30. After using the pool, I would always shower and use moisturiser especially as the chlorine in the water is quite drying on the skin. I also managed to keep up a usual twice daily moisturising routine while there.

We went to a wedding on the Thursday in beautiful surroundings, all of which was outside bar the disco. It was lovely to catch up with some family I had not seen in years. We all organised to meet up again before the holiday was over.

Overall it was really enjoyable and relaxing, a nice break from the daily routine of work. We are already hoping to go back again next year, hopefully for two weeks. 

 (Only slight pink colouration left on my skin after the week of sun :O)

It was amazing to see my skin go from bad to almost completely clear in the space of a week, i could run my hand over my skin and feel complete smoothness, its a feeling I had missed. It is two weeks since we returned and two days after I had already felt little spots coming back on my skin, I think it is missing the sun! I had a check up with my rheumatologist last week who said it would be a combination of climate change but also being relaxed on holiday and going back into everyday life...after all I did return to work the day after I got back.

I can only hope the sun will make a return to Ireland, it supposed to be good during the week so the shorts will make a return appearance so that I can try and get some natural goodness on my skin.

Hope the sun shines wherever you are. Until next time....

Sarah x

My experience with Topical treatment and Tonsillectomy.....

Welcome to the first of this new series. I thought it best to bundle these two topics together as they were treatments I first experienced. Before I dive in, a little bit of background; 

I first developed Psoriasis when I was 17 years old. I remember it was Christmas and a thick patch appeared behind my ear. I thought nothing of it at the time, until it started to appear all over my body within a few short months. My doctor was baffled and I was then referred to a dermatologist. He knew straight away, it was Psoriasis. 

This brings us to topical creams/ ointments. In 2005, I was prescribed Dovobet and Dovonex which were used in routine with each other. Dovobet ointment was a thicker consistency and contained steroids so is not recommended for prolonged use. Dovonex is a creamy consistency and not as harsh on the skin as Dovobet. 

At the start it did find it helped. My plaques were thick, white patches and like many I had the urge to pick the scabs, I'm not going to lie. Upon doing so they would bleed, but they didn't need to be picked to bleed either. As I was still in school at the time, we had a school uniform, consisting of a skirt, tights, shirt, tie and jumper. There were many days where the tights would rub off my skin, causing irritation and cracking and not to sound too graphic, the tights sticking to the blood.


My scalp was also covered in what felt like one big thick helmet. My hair would not be the thickest anyway, so it was visible around the hairline. For that I tried others like Dovobet gel which did nothing for me, and coal tar which stunk so bad but did have a soothing effect.

Over the months of using the treatments I found it did and it didn't help. As I said, it helped with the thickness of the patches but it was never truly going away. Towards the end of 2005, I was told the option of Tonsillectomy (getting my tonsils removed). It seemed to make sense because I had always suffered with my throat growing up, sometimes missing school for weeks at a time because it would be so bad. I had consultations, and the date was set, January 9th 2006. At this stage I was in my final year of secondary school and state exams were looming in June of the same year, stress probably did play a factor in it all. 

I was in hospital for 7.30am and brought to where I would rest up for the next few days. My operation was scheduled for around 9am and last thing I remember was the anesthesia injected into my hand and counting back from 10. After that, I woke up back in the room which I shared with two others, one of which was going through the same. My throat was quite sore, it was sore to talk and especially to eat. My doctor advised me that all went well and to keep hydrated and foods such as toast and crisps (yes, crisps!) were good as they helped to scrape the throat and help in the healing process.

I was in hospital for another day and a half, so I was home again come Wednesday afternoon. I was definitely glad to be back in my own bed again. I was out of school for two weeks in total. I was given a liquid to drink a few times a day to help with healing, and it did not taste nice at all, can still think of the taste of it today, yuck! But whatever helps! I was also given tablets for pain, which thankfully was minimal.

In the months after the tonsillectomy, I sat my state exams and enjoyed a good summer of sun including a two week holiday to Spain with friends. By August I had returned and my skin at almost completely cleared and then went on to proudly wear a dress to my debs for the first time in years.

In my eyes, I believe the tonsillectomy played a big part in my Psoriasis clear up back then. Even to this day, I don't get sore throats half as bad as I did when I was younger. I did use the topicals after my surgery but have felt the effects of them years on after stopping them. They tend to have an effect of thinning the skin and also find the hairs on my arms grew with this treatment. The advice I do have is if you do use these creams, use them very sparingly and not for long periods of time. If anyone was to ask me is a tonsillectomy a good step towards better skin, I would say absolutely, 100%. 

If anyone wants to know any other details about my experience with either treatment, ask away.

Until next time....

Sarah x

My experience with.....

So this past Monday I returned from a week in the sun in Mallorca and I think I am only now readjusting back into normal life again. The weather was beautiful and my skin cleared up nicely as I wore shorts most days, and thankfully made sure I didn't get burned (check out my previous post for some tips). Unfortunately the last few days of being back, my skin has been starting to feel grainy again *fingers crossed* the sun shows itself here in Ireland a bit more.

Anyway I've come up with some fresh ideas with the blog, as you probably can guess from the title 'My experience with....' Is a going to be a series about the different types of treatment I have used from the time I first developed Psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis, listed below;

- Topical creams/ointments
- Tonsillectomy
- Methotrexate
- Phototherapy (light treatment)
- Enbrel
- Cimzia
- Stelara (current treatment)

I've already written in detail about phototherapy, two of the three different times I did go through it so it is one topic I will touch on briefly over the series. As always, if I don't add something about any treatment that you do wish to know about, don't hesitate to ask, either in the comments below or privately.

I'll be starting through the above list in the next day or two, so keep your eyes peeled for that. I'll also post other bits In-between, any ideas again, do let me know :)

Until next time.....

Sarah x

Sun Care....

We are coming into that time of year where the sun is making an appearance (...or so we hope anyway!) as well as people jetting off to sunnier climates. I wanted to share a few bits and pieces on how I look after my skin in the sun, a few bits of which I've picked up for my own holidays as well as work.

 Sun care Lotion: 

Something that is very important to remember is that the suns rays (UV rays) tend to be more intense during 10am and 4pm so it is important to use sun factor creams to protect your skin. I tend to use a high factor of 50, which has been recommended by doctors and nurse due to my psoriasis, especially after the effects of light treatment.

-Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50 'on the go size' a handy size which I carry around in my bag for work and another in my handbag. I tend to use this a lot at work on a sunny day as there isn't many places to hide in the shade.

-Nivea Sun Protect Lip Balm SPF 30, again another item I use at work to protect from blisters or cold sores. It tends to be quite moisturising on the lips. Only downside is it is a thick white texture so is best rubbed in well to the lips.

-Soltan Sun care lotion SPF 50, this is a recent purchase for my holidays next week, just to upscale from a smaller sized bottle to take along with me. Only €5.50 in Boots so not going to break the bank.

-Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 30, This is another recent purchase for holidays as I'm hoping to scale down on the SPF as the week progresses. All Sun Protection is currently half price in Sam McCauley's chemists so might be worth popping in to stock up if you live near one.

Cover Ups:

 Its only natural to show a bit of skin once the sun decides to show itself, and covering up doesn't need to be a case of looking mummified to cover your skin, here are a few stylish pieces to help keep your skin protected

-Hats - It can be something as simple as a baseball hat or something bigger and bouncier to keep the suns rays at bay. The Hat picture above is from Penneys (also known as Primark) and cost only €4! Bargain! I have had the misfortune in past years of getting sunburned on my scalp, not pleasent at all! This type also keeps the rays off your face, so added bonus. There are plenty to suit everyone; straw hat, cowboy hat, bucket hat, whatever takes your fancy, just be sure and keep protected.

-Sunglasses - Sometimes they are simply used to look stylish, but if you're like me, and rather not be squinting away while someone is talking to the point your eyes are watering (ok, maybe thats a bit much) then sunglasses are essential. I have bought a few pairs, ranging from €1.50, to €5.00 from Penneys and New Look.

-Scarves - Multifunctional when it comes to the sun, can be used as normal around the neck, to cover shoulder or even as a sarong on the beach. The one pictured above was from Accessorize and was given to me as a present from my brother's girlfriend. I love this one as is quite colourful but also has the images of skull so quite contrasting. Scarves really are cheap as chips when there are some lovely ones in Penneys from as little as €2 (I know this as I was tempted by a few on a recent shopping trip).

-Maxi Dress, perfect for summer, especially if like myself, you don't want your skin on show all the time. I have purchased the above dress for holidays from BooHoo.com back in February. Its simple but adds a bit of colour and is a lovely light material so it handy for the heat on holidays. There are so many varieties of these dresses around, perfect to suit every shape and size.

Other ideas when trying to cover up from the sun are Kimonos, I think these are a lovely addition to your holiday wardrobe especially when something like a cardigan seems to heavy to wear in hotter climates. Also on the plus side, they are super light and not irritating on the skin.

 

What are your summer essentials when it comes to protecting your skin? Leave them in the comments below.

Until next time....

Sarah x

*Disclaimer: All products mentioned above are purchased by myself. I have not been asked to mention stores, I just want to give an insight into where I have purchased these items*

 

Psoriasis Beauty....

Time for something a little different. While we all like to feel comfortable in our own skin, sometime we need a bit of help if we don't want to have everything on show. Don't get me wrong, I'm not embarrassed about my Psoriasis for the most part, sometimes it's nice if you have a special occasion or even just a day to feel better about yourself. Check out these products I use to treat my skin or just pamper myself a little bit;

Moisturisers:

 

 (E45, Elave and Emulsifying Oinment)

As you may know from previous posts, I have been moisturising religiously, more so due to doing light treatment during the first half of the year. E45 is a lighter lotion which I use in the mornings. It can be used all over the body and face. I can be very picky when it comes to anything on my skin, not only because of my Psoriasis, but also due the fact I have sensitive skin also. This in perfume free and dermatologically tested so causes no skin irritation and is even suitable for babies skin. Emulsifying Ointment is a moisturiser I use at night. It has a thicker consistancy and therefore is great to sink into the skin overnight. I find it does help, especially for those tricky thicker patches.

Makeup is not a everyday thing for me, I wear it for nights out, special occasions, if my skin is acting up, or if I just feel like getting a bit dressed up. For such occasions, I start with Elave intensive cream and as the bottle says "clinically proven to be kind and mild to dry sensitive skin"...I was sold! It really does what it says and on top of that, is free from parabens, alcohol and sulfates. It is a bit thicker than some day creams but it sinks into the skin nicely and has a nice soothing and cooling effect.

 Primers and Concealers:

 

(Pictured: Maybelline Concealer and Rimmel Primer)

After moisturing, I find a good primer helps to smooth out my skin especially when I have had bad facial Psoriasis. Rimmel Lasting Finish Primer is my primer of choice, and I have found it does a great job. I tend to apply it on my nose, cheeks and forehead and any areas I find I need evening out. It feels very lightweight and very silky on the skin and creates a lovely base for my foundation.

When it comes to concealing, I never did much of it, bar the bags under my eyes when I've needed it. Earlier in the year when I flared on my face, myself and the boyfriend decided to go on a night out to relax and catch up with some friends. It was then I realised, I didn't have any proper concealer with me, eek! A trip to Boots, which happened to be closed as it was the evening. Tesco it was, for limited choice. I spotted Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Concealer, so I bought it on a whim. I didn't think it would do much, but it is fantastic. It really helped to conceal the blemishes on my forehead and around my nose. A dab of powder over it and I was good to go. Another handy thing about it is it is a 11ml tube, so it takes up no room in the handbag to bring out for any little touch ups.

BB (Beauty Balms) Creams

 (Pictured: Lancome BB and NYC BB)

 When you don't need a heavy duty feel of a foundation, I love the option of a BB cream. The two I use are completely different prices on the scale but both work well. Lancome Hydra Zen Beauty Balm is one I bought when it was used on my face when I got my makeup done professionally for a friends wedding. I liked the look of it so much, I bought it there and then. It comes in 3 shades, thanks to being tanned at the time, I got the darkest shade which is perfect everytime summertime comes around. NYC Creme 5 in 1 is a more recent purchase. It claims to 1. protect skin, 2. pore minimizer, 3. erase skin imperfections, 4. smooths skin, and 5. brighten skin. I can vouch that it does do all of the above. I sometime found I had better coverage with this BB cream when my skin was at its worse and definately one I would reach for when I don't feel my best.

 Foundations:

 (Pictured: Collection, Bourjois and Revlon)

I have 3 different foundations which I rotate between depending on my mood and where I'm going. Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Foundation is my latest purchase of the lot. I have worn this 3 or 4 times out and I am loving the application of this. The colour is really nice, I picked up Ivory which I believe is the second lightest shade. I find some foundations tend to highlight dry patches but this gives me a lovely dewy finish. Another plus, it contains SPF 20! Can protect your skin and look fabulous, all at once :D

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum was my first holy grail foundation when I first started getting into makeup more so. It is very lightweight, not at all drying and a light but buildable application. It does have a strong enough smell, not of chemicals though, which doesn't bother me but it's not for everyone.

Another addition to my collection before Christmas Revlon Colorstay. These foundations come in two different formulations, one for dry skin, one for oily/combination skin which has a plain black cap. Pictured above is the dry skin version, which has a clear outer shell over the black, which are handy indications. I find this to be quite runny, so it does need a good shake before applying. It gives a lovely flawless finish and again as the others above, quite lightweight on the skin.

 Tools:

 

(Pictured: BCC F22 Brush and Real Techniques Sponge)

While its all well and good applying anything on your face with your fingers (after washing of course) its always handy to have the right tools to apply foundation to give a nice finish. I find for dry skin, once its preped with moisturiser and primer, that the Real Techniques Miracle Complextion Sponge really helps to give a flawless finish on the skin when used damp. Another plus is you use less product when it is damp, and once one layer has been applied it is easy to build up your foundation if needed. I've really purchased and started using the Black Canvas Cosmetics F22 Brush which is a nice alternative. I was never a fan of foundation brushes as I have found they can irritate or dry out already sensitive skin so I invested in this from an Irish company. I have found it gives a nice even coverage and the bristles are nice and soft on the skin. I am hoping to purchase from this company, including their eye brushes I've heard so much about.

Extras

When it comes to removing my makeup, I have recently purchased Waterwipes which are great for sensitive skin due to them containing 99.9% purified water! I find some wipes can leave my skin feeling so dried out, even after cleansing and moisturising they can still sometimes leave a sting. These leave my skin feeling so soft and smooth. Again its another Irish product, and is available in Tesco stores.


Those are pretty much my essentials, let me know if you would like to see more of these types of posts and feel free to comment which what products you like to use :)

Until next time....

Sarah x