Week 3 begins, and another change..

As the title goes, today I started week 3 of light treatment which was my 6th session. Having started at 17 seconds, I have now progressed onto 41 seconds. My skin doesn't feel as sore now, large patches on the front and back of my thighs have proved to be problematic especially when the weather had been so cold. With said problem, I have taken to wearing tracksuit pants, which are softer on my skin compared to jeans which tend to rub and itch.

(Emulsifying Ointment)

Today was also the day I started Cimzia (Certolizumab pegol) which is an injection. It comes in a prefilled syringe, in a pack of 2 and 2 alcohol swabs. It has to be stored in the fridge but taken out at least a half an hour before injecting to reach room temperature (also this means less of a sting upon injecting). I have been used to injecting have been prescribed Enbrel in January, I had used the myclic 50mg pen and had been reduced to 25mg syringe after my skin reacted so badly by flaring. This time around I will be on 400mg, being 2 x 200mg syringes.

It had been 2 weeks since I had last injected Enbrel and when it came to injecting Cimzia today,I froze, to say the least. I think I worked myself up so much that it affected me being able to inject. What if it makes my skin worse? What if it doesn't help my joints? What if I get one of the hundreds of different side effects that was listed on the info pack? (Yeah, that last one didn't help me at all). After building up the courage, I finally pinched the skin on my thigh, stuck the needle in and took my time injecting. I probably gave the biggest sigh of relief and questioned why I had worked myself up so much. Then of course, injection number 2! This didn't work out as well but I took my time and changed location halfway through to be more comfortable. 

The instructional DVD does say it push the plunger that it's done in 10 seconds, but I find it tends to sting so I take my time and take a breather in between. It's been about 2 hours since I injected and I feel OK. The areas I injected (right thigh and left thigh) are a bit sensitive, but that's to be expected. I just have to keep an eye on them to see if I get a reaction on the site. Will be sure to keep update on how I feel, while I'm also recording it on a diary and Cimzia Patient guide. 

Are you on Cimzia? Get in touch, would love to hear of your experiences and what you find helps you.

Til next time....

Sarah

It's been a while....

So, about 3 years since an update. Well let's just say, since my last bout of ligh treatment which I had updated on the page, I was clear bar a few pesky spots here and there that weren't of that much bother to me, Until it decided to get worse around April 2013 for reasons unknown, at this time light treatment was again used and I went on my merry way. Now I sit here writing again, having been influence by reading other psoriasis blogs to update yet again, as it has come back with a vengeance...and here's why;

For about 8 years I had been on Methotrexate (MTX) but unfortunately around Christmas 2014, it was beginning to make me feel very ill, especially as I was on a higher dosage of 25MG. On top of that, I had developed Psoratic arthritis in my right elbow also, so it felt like it was no longer cutting it for me.

I was put on Enbrel, which you inject rather than tablet form I had always been used to. I started on 50mg and only lasted 2 weeks before I ended up with the flu (seems the flu jab a few months earlier didn't cut it this year) and my skin completely flaring up. My scalp, face, arms, legs, back and torso have been covered again in what I thought I had under control. It really hit me hard, no matter how many times I tried to stay positive. I was prescribed 25mg of Enbrel along with 10mg MTX for a further 3 weeks (which was up until last week). A visit to my dermatologist and light treatment (UVB) was on the cards yet again, of which I am not into my second week (had my 3rd session today at 29 seconds).

I have also been changed to Cimzia, a drug I have never heard of. I am due to start next Monday though I am still waiting on a patient pack to arrive as the doctor had none (is that a good sign or a bad one?!). That pretty much brings us upto today, Thursday March 5th.

I guess when my skin was clear, I could go about living life normally and not worry about stares, itching and pain from this but not that it is back, it has affected me in a few ways. Thankfully I have a supportive family, friends and boyfriend who support me no matter what, but sometimes I think it may be hard for them to understand just how I'm feeling as none of them suffer the same.

I'm going to try and stay positive, as much as it gets me down, it's not the end of the world. Who cares if people stare, it's not contagious, but educating people on it is. Hoping to upload some recent photos soon to show the extent and hopefully the transformation.

Until next time,
Sarah x

Favourite Products....

A bit later than planned due to being sick all week, but better late than never :)

As well as having psoriasis, I also have very sentitive skin which gets easily irritated (really bad combo!) so this is a review of my favourite products that I am currently using and find help my skin.

Cocowel Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Upon recommendation from fellow psoriasis sufferers on a facebook group, i picked up a tub of Virgin Coconut Oil. I was told it was soothing for the scalp, and seeing at this is my current most affected area, I decided to try it, and have found it to be great. Before this, I had been using Dovobet oinment, which I think isn't very good and I'd rather be using a more natural product having used steroid creams and the like in the past and seen their effects. 

  The coconut oil can be a bit messy, as it is quite oily when you rub it in your hands. I massage it into my scalp and wash it out the next day. I have been told about using it in the bath also, adding a few spoonfuls to warm water and that skin is left feeling smooth. Have yet to try that one myself. People do say that you can get rid of badness from the body by working from the inside, so have head good reviews of this being used for cooking also, certainly a more healthier option. Virgin Coconut Oil is currently available in the cooking oil/olive oil sections in both Dunnes and Supervalu, priced at €5.99.

Inecto Coconut Shampoo

It may seem like a theme with this post so far, but after hearing such good things about coconut oil, I am always on the lookout for other products which may be beneficial. So on a recent trip to one of my local chemists I discovered Inecto Coconut Shampoo and decided to try it out. It was €2.99 for a 500ml bottle so seemed like a good price for its size. I have only used this product twice, but I definitely feel a difference on my scalp. I find that with some shampoos, it feels like residue is left behind, no matter how much I rinse and rinse, which can leave my scalp feeling worse for wear. This shampoo is really soothing, and has the added bonus of leaving my hair feeling super soft! The shampoo is also paraben free, which was also nice to see. The scent is very much like vanilla, which I was very happy with as it is one of my favourite scents. I have seen that they have a big range of coconut body and hair products on their website. I am hoping to try out more of their products if I can find them in store, or possibly online   

E45 Moisturising Lotion
This lotion is perfume-free, dermatologically-tested and allergy-screened, so it pretty much is ideal for anyone with sensitive skin. I tend to use this on after a shower when my skin is still wet, to lock in more moisture. I also focus on my dryer areas, such as my elbows, knees and hips. I have gone through many body lotions, including the likes of Aveeno, and find E45 currently helps to keep my skin more moisturised, which an important part of a routine when you have psoriasis, to stop your skin from drying out.

Palmolive Soap Bar
I have been using Palmolive for as long as I can remember! I have gone through phases of trying out different shower gels and just end up with itchy, irritated skin...even before I developed psoriasis. Palmolive seems to be the only product that does not cause my skin to have a break-out. Definitely an essential product for me.

Boots Simply Sensitive Foaming Cleansing Wash 
The only facewash I have found that (so far!) does not irritate my face. The foaming action makes it easy to massage into wet skin, without the mess of creams, the easy to use pump is also a plus for this also. Leaves my skin feeling so soft and refreshed. It is fragrance and colour free and also contains soothing aloe vera. I get small patches of psoriasis in my eyebrows but I find this does not irritate it at all. Even after I use protopic to try and clear those areas.

They are all the products I am currently using in my skincare routine.  Feel free to comment with any products you find help to soothe your skin, always on the lookout for other products to try :)

~Sarah~

Lets give this another go....

So after months of neglecting this blog, I thought I'd try and get back into the swing of things and do things properly this time.

I know I don't get many readers but hoping to change that and share more info. Info about what is available in Ireland, information evening, products etc. Starting off this weekend with products I have found to ease my psoriasis.

Check back for the list/pics/info.

Thanks for reading, feedback is greatly appreciated and also any recommendations as to what you'd like to see here! :D


Sarah :)