Breaking out - not in acne

This is starting to get to me and I had to vent about it.

I have psoriasis. It's gone through it's stages - and before the wedding, my scalp was getting pretty bad. (It started out, years ago, on my 'trunk' - between my neck and butt - but had pretty much disappeared from that area and moved to the head almost exclusively - which is good because no one sees it, but bad because it's itchy and bumpy, and flaky sometimes.) I had gone on a biologic medicine - the type that have to be injected (you may have seen the commercials for embrel or humira on TV, these are two brands of biologics) - in Dec 2007 - March 2008, and it helped a bit, but by August / September 2008 it was getting bad again. So my doc got some free samples from the Humira drug rep and gave me 4 shots in October. I was CLEAR for my wedding and it was wonderful!

In November we went to Alaska for the HM, and the water there is very rich in minerals, including sulfur, which is GREAT for psoriasis. (Most of the medicated shampoos I use have sulfur in them.) Because of this, I was clear for all of November, too.

I went to the doc in early Dec and it was starting to come back. We discussed me going on Humira, the drug he gave me four shots of in October, but it's a process to get approved.

Since then, I have lost my job and thus my insurance -- and have broken out TERRIBLY. My back looks like I have the chicken pox, and my head is very itchy and flaky. I'm trying a lot of things and I think it might be getting a little better, but it looks so bad

Stress makes it worse, too. I wonder how bad it will get in the next few weeks, if the job hunting is not very promising?? DH makes comments about it - I know deep down he doesn't care (he has psoriasis too but not as bad - our kids are going to be covered, this will be fun) but it's still hard

If you have read this far -- thanks I needed to say how it's bothering me.

I am so sorry you are dealing with this, I can not imagine the irritation you are dealing with, I will say prayers, hopefully it will ease up for ya.

---

Posted by catsgirl

I am so sorry you are dealing with this, I can not imagine the irritation you are dealing with, I will say prayers, hopefully it will ease up for ya.

---

Thanks hon!

I'm so sorry Jenn!!! I am actually going to go the dermatologist this month because I think I have psoriasis. My skin is just terrible right now in general and quite honestly its exhausting. I have something behind my ears and I think that's what it is. I've been reading online to find some things to do before I can get to the doc. I've been using vaseline which is a really good moisturizer but I put it on at night because it's greasy. I also take quicker showers because the hot water for so long is bad for the skin. I know how frustrated you are. Why don't you talk to the doctor and see if there's a payment plan you can get set up? If your doctor can't, try to find another doctor who will do the treatment without being paid in full. I know it's hard not to stress but everything is going to work out. You are going to get a better job don't worry. FM me if you want to talk.

oh no!

I forgot the name of it but isnt there a kind of insurance that you can get when u are on unemployment? Maybe that will help?

---

Posted by Cutechef729

I'm so sorry Jenn!!! I am actually going to go the dermatologist this month because I think I have psoriasis. My skin is just terrible right now in general and quite honestly its exhausting. I have something behind my ears and I think that's what it is. I've been reading online to find some things to do before I can get to the doc. I've been using vaseline which is a really good moisturizer but I put it on at night because it's greasy. I also take quicker showers because the hot water for so long is bad for the skin. I know how frustrated you are. Why don't you talk to the doctor and see if there's a payment plan you can get set up? If your doctor can't, try to find another doctor who will do the treatment without being paid in full. I know it's hard not to stress but everything is going to work out. You are going to get a better job don't worry. FM me if you want to talk.

---

Thanks hon All of the above is very sweet

I have some cortisone spray that I use on my head - samples ... and I have cortisone shampoo and OTC shampoo that I have been using more frequently .... and also some other creams for the body. Like I said, I think they are helping .. but not fast enough.

I will get some new insurance before I get a job - Healthy NY - and I should be able to get the meds then. I'll probably be more likely to get them cheaper too, since I'll be on unemployment and have even less money than before (and before, when I had insurance and a job, the doc was trying to get the meds for me for low copays, or no copays, since it's super expensive). It just kinda ***** that this all had to happen at the same time, you know? I don't FEEL too stressed yet, but I guess my body is showing it even if my brain isn't. (I am guessing my body was showing signs of WORRYING about losing my job back in Dec when I really wasn't, since that is when it started.)

Anyhow - thanks!!! It feels good to talk about it.

---

Posted by Gigi08

Aww, I'm sorry you're dealing with this too now. I was going to say what you said, that stress aggravates it. I hope you find something really soon. It's understandable that you're stressed. Is there anything else without a prescription you can use? Can you call your dermatologist and ask for a recommendation for something comparable? Hope you're feeling better!

---

Thanks. I'm on some stuff now that is prescription and there are other non-prescription things I will try if the prescriptions are not working. Thanks Gina!

---

Posted by JBoothIn2008

---

Posted by Cutechef729

I'm so sorry Jenn!!! I am actually going to go the dermatologist this month because I think I have psoriasis. My skin is just terrible right now in general and quite honestly its exhausting. I have something behind my ears and I think that's what it is. I've been reading online to find some things to do before I can get to the doc. I've been using vaseline which is a really good moisturizer but I put it on at night because it's greasy. I also take quicker showers because the hot water for so long is bad for the skin. I know how frustrated you are. Why don't you talk to the doctor and see if there's a payment plan you can get set up? If your doctor can't, try to find another doctor who will do the treatment without being paid in full. I know it's hard not to stress but everything is going to work out. You are going to get a better job don't worry. FM me if you want to talk.

---

Thanks hon All of the above is very sweet

I have some cortisone spray that I use on my head - samples ... and I have cortisone shampoo and OTC shampoo that I have been using more frequently .... and also some other creams for the body. Like I said, I think they are helping .. but not fast enough.

I will get some new insurance before I get a job - Healthy NY - and I should be able to get the meds then. I'll probably be more likely to get them cheaper too, since I'll be on unemployment and have even less money than before (and before, when I had insurance and a job, the doc was trying to get the meds for me for low copays, or no copays, since it's super expensive). It just kinda ***** that this all had to happen at the same time, you know? I don't FEEL too stressed yet, but I guess my body is showing it even if my brain isn't. (I am guessing my body was showing signs of WORRYING about losing my job back in Dec when I really wasn't, since that is when it started.)

Anyhow - thanks!!! It feels good to talk about it.

---

I'm glad you feel better when you talk about it.

Aww, I'm sorry that you're going thru this, Jenn! My BFF gets bad psoriasis on her scalp, and I know she uses the sprays and all, too, but what you're going thru sounds no fun at all I don't really have much advice to offer except this: I am here for ya and I hope it gets better!!!!!

---

Posted by JBoothIn2008

---

Posted by Gigi08

Aww, I'm sorry you're dealing with this too now. I was going to say what you said, that stress aggravates it. I hope you find something really soon. It's understandable that you're stressed. Is there anything else without a prescription you can use? Can you call your dermatologist and ask for a recommendation for something comparable? Hope you're feeling better!

---

Thanks. I'm on some stuff now that is prescription and there are other non-prescription things I will try if the prescriptions are not working. Thanks Gina!

---

You're welcome. It's amazing how stress affects so many parts of your body...skin, teeth/gums, stomach. Shortly after I got back from my honeymoon I got these dry patches on my face. I figured from the change in climate. I've gotten that before from something I was using on my face so I thought maybe that and started to ease up on some things I was using. I tried clearing it up myself, but finally went to the dermatologist. She said as I suspected, that it could be stress or hormonal...it's some kind of dermatitis. She was going to give me a steroid but I was waiting to see if I got me period so she didn't start me on it. No matter how much I moisturize, even though it's a little better, it just won't go away. She recommended vaseline too! I feel for you because for you it's not just a little patch. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry too much...things will work out!

Jenn if you are suffering this much it might be worth it to pay out of pocket to see a doctor and get some medication? Maybe they can work out a payment plan with you? Sorry you're suffering

Im sorry!!!!!!!!!! That sounds just awful

---

Posted by ILOVEBRIAN2008

oh no!

I forgot the name of it but isnt there a kind of insurance that you can get when u are on unemployment? Maybe that will help?

---

I had Health Plus when i was on unemployment. Can your husband add you to his insurance now that your not working?

what about sulfur soap? I saw bars of them when i was in St. Lucia and had never seen that before.

or try some of the vitamins listen here

---

Posted by GtBride

---

Posted by ILOVEBRIAN2008

oh no!

I forgot the name of it but isnt there a kind of insurance that you can get when u are on unemployment? Maybe that will help?

---

I had Health Plus when i was on unemployment. Can your husband add you to his insurance now that your not working?

---

I'm going to go on Healthy NY as soon as I am sure the ins I had with my last job is officially over (this week I think). My husband works at an autobody shop and doesn't have insurance at all. He had it for like 7 days in 2009 through me - I had set it up so that he started in 2009. Glad I did that now, I would have paid out a lot more more for insurance for him in nov and dec and he wouldn't have used it!

---

Posted by Soon2beAlberti

what about sulfur soap? I saw bars of them when i was in St. Lucia and had never seen that before.

or try some of the vitamins listen here

---

Thanks hon. I have tried some vitamins ... I will check out this link though. I don't think I have heard of sulfur soap. I will look into that. Thanks!

I have it also, but not as severe. Do any ointments or liquids work? I've been using a liquid on my scalp for years when I get a break out and it gets rid of it. The stuff might help a little for you.

---

Posted by Mici n KC


I have it also, but not as severe. Do any ointments or liquids work? I've been using a liquid on my scalp for years when I get a break out and it gets rid of it. The stuff might help a little for you.

---

Some work, some don't. What have you been using? Do you know the prescription name? I've tried so many it's hard to keep track!

Hugs
Try not to stress, as you said, it will only make the psoraisis worse.
Would washing your body with a sulfur shampoo help with the itching and peeling ?
If not, then the only thing you can do is go back to Alaska. (trying to make you laugh here - I've been there too and the scenery is gorgeous).