I apologise for lack of updates lately, life has been a bit busy again. I wanted to update on how my last session of light treatment went. The usual routine, tshirt on, visor on until the last minute or so. My final time in the box my time was 5 minutes and 4 seconds. My knees did give way towards the end as I wasn't able to lift my legs as high as I usually could.
Later that evening, I found my skin to be sore and very red. I moisturised and got ready to head out with himself to celebrate and go to a work night of his. I made the mistake of wearing skinny jeans! The rubbing of the demin on my skin caused a lot of irritation and towards the middle of the night, it was time to leave. Once we got home, it was straight into my comfy clothes and lashing on of more moisturiser.
I did want to start Stelara on Friday night but my skin was still red and hot, I found it best to leave it off til the next day. Once the morning came, my skin was feeling better and it was time to start Stelara. It was my day off and a lie in was well overdue. My boyfriend took my Stelara out of the fridge for me and kindly brought me breakfast in bed (he really is a star!). I waited about 40 minutes and it was time to build up the courage to take it.
It had been 2 months since I last injected and the nerves did kick in. "What are you waiting for, just do it", I kept thinking and before I knew it, it was all over! It was actually the easiest of all the injection I've had to do and it has a great mechanism that covers the needle once the plunger is down.
It's been 4 days since I injected and in all honesty I've been feeling fine, bit of a sniffly nose, but nothing major. My next injection is around June 7th and a doctor check up after that. I'm hoping it does help my skin, which has become more smooth and I hope that not doing light treatment will not set me back as I feel I still have a while to go yet.
Until next time....
Sarah x
Blogging about my experience, living with Psoriasis. Hoping to share tips and what works for me.
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Friday, 8 May 2015
The Final Countdown....
I hope everyone enjoyed the bank holiday weekend, even if the weekend was a bit of a washout. Thankfully I was off work and got to enjoy the comforts of home. This was also a good thing because my knees were hurting a lot, I put it down to the cold and bad weather.
Last Friday's session went well, I was up to 4 minutes and 11 seconds, wearing a tshirt for the duration and a visor up until the final minute when it was removed. No session on Monday due to it being a bank holiday so a few extra days without treatment and my skin seemed to be up and down. Some days it feels as though it is improving, other days as if it will never stop flaring.
I had an early appointment Wednesday as I had work that day. Over 4 minutes again, with the same routine, tshirt for the entire treatment and visor on until the final minute. I really felt my knees giving way towards the end of the time with the motions in the box and by the end could only slightly lift. The nurses are good, if I need a break but I feel I want to keep going instead of stopping and starting. Usually at my appointments I'd wear jogger bottoms or something similar as it is comfortable and easy to undress and dress. This time around I was wearing jeans, due to being in work not long after. I never got the chance to moisturise and to be honest my legs were so sore, especially on the back of my thighs. The jeans had been rubbing off them as I do a lot of walking in work. It was only when I got home I had the chance to change and cover my skin in E45. That's one mistake I won't make again after treatment, need to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!
Today being Friday, I have my appointment scheduled for later in the afternoon. Strange to think after so long I have only one session left. I even joked with the receptionist last time that I'd probably end up driving to the hospital even after I've finished because it has become so routine.
Later tonight I plan to start Stelara, as it was best to wait till I finished the phototherapy, due to the chances of making me more sensitive to light. I have read through my patient pack again today, and plan to double check before I inject. I am looking forward to the new journey and hoping for positive results but if it is not the case, there is always something else to try and newer treatments being approved.
Enjoy your weekend whatever you may be up to. I hope to keep updating on my progress and hopefully it is helpful to someone. How to you maintain your Psoriasis? Feel free to comment below.
Until next time....
Sarah x
I had an early appointment Wednesday as I had work that day. Over 4 minutes again, with the same routine, tshirt for the entire treatment and visor on until the final minute. I really felt my knees giving way towards the end of the time with the motions in the box and by the end could only slightly lift. The nurses are good, if I need a break but I feel I want to keep going instead of stopping and starting. Usually at my appointments I'd wear jogger bottoms or something similar as it is comfortable and easy to undress and dress. This time around I was wearing jeans, due to being in work not long after. I never got the chance to moisturise and to be honest my legs were so sore, especially on the back of my thighs. The jeans had been rubbing off them as I do a lot of walking in work. It was only when I got home I had the chance to change and cover my skin in E45. That's one mistake I won't make again after treatment, need to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!
Today being Friday, I have my appointment scheduled for later in the afternoon. Strange to think after so long I have only one session left. I even joked with the receptionist last time that I'd probably end up driving to the hospital even after I've finished because it has become so routine.
Later tonight I plan to start Stelara, as it was best to wait till I finished the phototherapy, due to the chances of making me more sensitive to light. I have read through my patient pack again today, and plan to double check before I inject. I am looking forward to the new journey and hoping for positive results but if it is not the case, there is always something else to try and newer treatments being approved.
Enjoy your weekend whatever you may be up to. I hope to keep updating on my progress and hopefully it is helpful to someone. How to you maintain your Psoriasis? Feel free to comment below.
Until next time....
Sarah x
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
Getting there....
Sorry for the lack of updates,things have been a bit busy as of late. Last post I was wondering if my next would be my last, but it certainly wasn't. On Friday, the dosage was raised again, still no update from my Doctor about how my more session so I only booked in for Monday. I found my neck/ chest to be a bit red after but not as bad as it has been before. Again, another weekend of work and SPF 50 galore! Saturday was a bit of a washout but Sunday was a fantastic day with lots of activity around.
On Monday it was decided that I would wear a tshirt during treatment, this way the light would be aimed at my legs and arms (sleeves rolled up) as these areas are still stubborn. I wonder if this is due to having gone through light treatment twice before, as it would usually be on the way to being clearing before now. The Doctor approved 2 more sessions, so I booked in for Wednesday and Friday.
A rheumatologist visit on Tuesday, finally decided to start Stelara. I was given the prescription, two doses of 45MG, one at week 0 and another 30 days later. I told the nurse at light treatment this today (Wednesday) and she has asked me to hold off on taking it until I've finished light treatment because it could make my skin more sensitive to light. She said my skin on my legs/thighs looked to be finally coming along. My next session was to be my last but she still wasn't happy to let me go, and neither was I to be honest especially when I finally see results again.
We decided another 2 sessions next week and that'll be the last of it. Only two next week due to Monday being a bank holiday here in Ireland. I was happy to do so, and she kindly wrote a note for work as I have to miss an hour or two on Wednesday, but thankfully have Friday off.
I plan to try and start Stelara on the Friday I finish light treatment, May 8th. It is the latest I can take it without the hassle of having to bring it abroad with me 30 days later, instead my second dose with be the day before we fly out.
So 26 sessions in and 3 to go, I'm looking forward to finishing up especially if the good results continue. I still have my fears about starting Stelara, but thankfully some fellow Psoriasis sufferers have reassured me, if this doesn't work, move on to something else! I have to be positive and keep the negativity at bay, everyone has their moments.
I have been compiling a post about products I find helpful for moisturising and concealing facial Psoriasis and easing sensitive skin so stay tuned for that.
Until next time....
Sarah x
On Monday it was decided that I would wear a tshirt during treatment, this way the light would be aimed at my legs and arms (sleeves rolled up) as these areas are still stubborn. I wonder if this is due to having gone through light treatment twice before, as it would usually be on the way to being clearing before now. The Doctor approved 2 more sessions, so I booked in for Wednesday and Friday.
A rheumatologist visit on Tuesday, finally decided to start Stelara. I was given the prescription, two doses of 45MG, one at week 0 and another 30 days later. I told the nurse at light treatment this today (Wednesday) and she has asked me to hold off on taking it until I've finished light treatment because it could make my skin more sensitive to light. She said my skin on my legs/thighs looked to be finally coming along. My next session was to be my last but she still wasn't happy to let me go, and neither was I to be honest especially when I finally see results again.
We decided another 2 sessions next week and that'll be the last of it. Only two next week due to Monday being a bank holiday here in Ireland. I was happy to do so, and she kindly wrote a note for work as I have to miss an hour or two on Wednesday, but thankfully have Friday off.
I plan to try and start Stelara on the Friday I finish light treatment, May 8th. It is the latest I can take it without the hassle of having to bring it abroad with me 30 days later, instead my second dose with be the day before we fly out.
So 26 sessions in and 3 to go, I'm looking forward to finishing up especially if the good results continue. I still have my fears about starting Stelara, but thankfully some fellow Psoriasis sufferers have reassured me, if this doesn't work, move on to something else! I have to be positive and keep the negativity at bay, everyone has their moments.
I have been compiling a post about products I find helpful for moisturising and concealing facial Psoriasis and easing sensitive skin so stay tuned for that.
Until next time....
Sarah x
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Final week?....
Hope everyone is well and enjoying this usually fine weather we've been having (shocking for Ireland anyway)
Just wanted to do a quick recap of this weeks sessions to date. I was hoping to add a few pictures of my skin at the moment but it's so awkward to get some angles but I hope to update on that soon.
Monday, I remained at the same time as Friday, 2minutes and 55 seconds. The nurse was concerned about abnormal redness on my arms. While the weather had been nice over the weekend, it had still been fairly windy at work so I kept my arms covered so I myself was baffled as to why my arms were so red. After the talk of maybe wearing a tshirt during the treatment, she advised against it. I was no longer using the step, and used the visor for the first minute of treatment.
Today, Wednesday, I moved up to 3 minutes and 4 seconds. Same thing again, no tshirt, and visor for the first minute. She discussed with me that she would be in touch with my dermatologist about extending my light treatment as my 24th and final treatment is due to happen this coming Friday. I am happy enough to do so and was on my way. As I waited outside the hospital for my Dad who had kindly driven me, to give me a break, I met said dermatologist. We talked for a few minutes and when I said about what the nurse had advised about more session, he seemed supportive and that I could go for it if I needed it.
On I was on my merry way again, sun beating on the car and already roasting from the treatment. Once I got home, as usual, I lathered myself in E45. I also put some sunscreen with an SPF of 50 on my face as I knew I would be in and out of the house during the day.
I hope to update again over the weekend as to the outcome of Friday and if I'll be doing extra sessions for definite. I might throw up another tag in the meantime, to add a bit of fun to the blog, let me know what you think of those :)
Until next time....
Sarah x
Just wanted to do a quick recap of this weeks sessions to date. I was hoping to add a few pictures of my skin at the moment but it's so awkward to get some angles but I hope to update on that soon.
Monday, I remained at the same time as Friday, 2minutes and 55 seconds. The nurse was concerned about abnormal redness on my arms. While the weather had been nice over the weekend, it had still been fairly windy at work so I kept my arms covered so I myself was baffled as to why my arms were so red. After the talk of maybe wearing a tshirt during the treatment, she advised against it. I was no longer using the step, and used the visor for the first minute of treatment.
Today, Wednesday, I moved up to 3 minutes and 4 seconds. Same thing again, no tshirt, and visor for the first minute. She discussed with me that she would be in touch with my dermatologist about extending my light treatment as my 24th and final treatment is due to happen this coming Friday. I am happy enough to do so and was on my way. As I waited outside the hospital for my Dad who had kindly driven me, to give me a break, I met said dermatologist. We talked for a few minutes and when I said about what the nurse had advised about more session, he seemed supportive and that I could go for it if I needed it.
On I was on my merry way again, sun beating on the car and already roasting from the treatment. Once I got home, as usual, I lathered myself in E45. I also put some sunscreen with an SPF of 50 on my face as I knew I would be in and out of the house during the day.
I hope to update again over the weekend as to the outcome of Friday and if I'll be doing extra sessions for definite. I might throw up another tag in the meantime, to add a bit of fun to the blog, let me know what you think of those :)
Until next time....
Sarah x
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