I am 25 years old and have had full body erythrodermic psoriasis my entire life. I have been dragged from dermatologist to dermatologist since before I can remember. Currently my dermatologist is at Yale Medical Center. You would think they can't get any better than that, huh?! Well, even he has run out of treatments to suggest. I've tried everything, even Enbrel (see my other post).
I did notice, however, over the past 5-10 years that my psoriasis flares because of mainly stress and alcohol. It'll flare the next day if I've been drinking but it will go back to "normal" after a day or two. And it'll flare about 2 weeks after an increase in stress. That, depending on the severity of the increase, takes a while to clear up.
SO! I've cut alcohol out, easy solution. And about 2 years ago, I started mental health therapy. I started seeing a psychologist and I told her my goals. I said I wanted to learn stress management techniques to help control and maybe prevent my flare ups. I was in therapy for a year and a half and she has helped me so much. She taught me the strategies and techniques that I need to be in control of my psoriasis.
Granted, I'm not in remission. I have not found my "miracle" that so many of you have. But I have found my "fix" that allows me to live comfortably with my psoriasis. To be honest, when it's under control, you can't even tell I have it. That's good enough for me.
Good luck,
Karen


Karen, that's great. I don't think alcohol is good for anyone.
Have you read the threads on "Clearing up---
there might be something there that would help you more.


No, I haven't read the "clearing Up" thread, but I am happy with the effects of cutting out alcohol and my stress management. I just am not interested in medications anymore. The side effects are worse than the flare-ups and my psoriasis is under control anyway. Someone wrote to me to try the homeopathic route...it's on the long list of things that I've tried...it didn't do anything for me. I'm done trying new things and I'm happy where I am.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Karen


I've got full body erythrodermic P too. However, mine just started 1 year ago at the age of 50. I've tried Embrel and UVA (narrow band), to no avail and have started a course of Amevive. I'ts too soon to say if Amevive will do anything as it takes a long time to work... if it works.
The one thing I have not tried is giving up alcohol which I have used to calm myself down, relax and eliminate stress. I will try your method to see if it works for me. Does it take long to work? Two other questions I would like to ask you-
1) Have you ever tried Methotrexate (which requires you don't drink alcohol), or cyclosporine?
2) Do you have a book on Stress Management Techniques you could recommend?
:) Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge.
Tom D.


Sorry about your erythrodermic P, Kiki, must be awful....I had inverse P. (as well as plaque and scalp P) and I just remember being cold all the time from the feverish state of the heat emanating from the P.....
I'm the one that wrote "CLEARING UP FROM PSORIASIS" but I don't think it's for erythrodermic type of P.....it got rid of the psoriasis by healing from the inside out...more of the standard type....I'm not even sure about psoriasis arthritis...we have a few on the regimen but don't know how they are doing as it's too soon to tell.
I'm really hoping it will help the PA as that is so crippling and painful.
Good for you on finding what you are comfortable with.....you'll meet some great people on here...granny is one of them :D


Hi Tom,
You need to find out what flares your psoriasis. For me, like I said, it was obvious that stress and alcohol would do it. To answer your questions, yes, I have tried methotrexate numerous times and the side effects were the worst of all the medications I took other than the Enbrel (that was the ultimate worst). To this day, my dermatologist has told me that if I come to him with a flare up, his answer is going to me M. I told him I refuse to take it again because of the S.E. so I just don't take meds anymore. I focus on the stress management and preventing my flare-ups and it works!
Unfortunately, I don't have a book to recommend. But, I have to tell you...I am at the point I'm at after a year and a half of hard work with my therapist. We dug deep and pulled up thoughts and feelings that I never knew were inside. I changed the way I think, the way I react, the way I function. It took time and a lot of effort. A book is not going to do it, it might help, but if you're serious about stress management, I highly suggest a therapist.
Good luck!
Karen


Hi Kiki,
I want to thank you again for your wise words. My derm has been pushing for me to try the methotrexate and after hearing you- I'll pass on that route. The embrel never did anything for me either, after 26 weeks. I'm sure your right about a good therapist- but I must admit, overall- I'm not under that much stress and am generally pretty upbeat. If the Amevive doesn't work (along with :D no alcohol), next I'll probably try the Soriatane or the Humira which have supposedly helped a lot of people. If any of them work for me (your fellow erythrodermic), I will be sure to let you know. Best Wishes! Regards, Tom D