More than my Skin

I don’t often blog on health but I want to share some posts over the next year or so on my journey to bring my psoriasis under control.

Since my mid twenties I have been having an ongoing battle with it.  I have seen so many pictures of people with it far worse, and others with it less severely.  As I scroll through the images my heart is moved by knowing just how it feels to have your skin seem to have a mind of its own.  I particularly feel for children and teenagers.  I  feel blessed I did not have it until later and was lucky enough to have some inner strength for what lay ahead.

It began with one small patch on my left arm and a move away from my childhood home in Tasmania. Since then it has moved in waves both receding and moving forward, and attacked my scalp, side of my face, arms, back, knees, other areas, and legs. Lately it has even been making a journey into the joints.

I have been mainly to doctors and skin specialists about it, but also had some trips to the nutritionist and psychologists. Some have been compassionate and caring, and some have been people you wouldn’t go back to after one appointment.

In that journey I have had light treatment, oral medications, injections (3 different types), as well as a regimen of gels and other creams.  I’ve had so many reccomended products and have moved away from using soaps.  I’ve had occassional advice from naturopaths on things that I can take to strengthen the skin.

After a three year journey with biological medications, cyclone interrupted at various points and also changed when little response, I’m determined to have a break for the injections and make a more dedicated journey down the path of lifestyle management and to truly understand what triggers flare ups and what lessens the wave.

One thing I noticed before the current flare up is that I have put on far too much weight.  I am determined, once and for all, to do the work to get this off.  One problem is that having psoriasis can make you very conscious of how your skin looks, and want to hide it.  Wearing too much to exercise doesn’t encourage you to do it.  A vicious cycle can then get underway.  Another thing I have noticed that moving constantly for work and study has had a toll on my physical health and some climates, and water supplies, have not been much help.  We are staying put for a while.  I am trying to make a list of things that make it worse and better.

I’m determined to reclaim my life back after this chronic disease decided to give me a year of physical hell.

I want to take a wholistic approach to psoraisis and truly understand this test I have been given.  Encouraged by a friend who has it as well, and has gotten on top of it, I am taking time out from my past approaches.

Yes, I have to take my own journey, but stories of success from real people – not advertising subjects quoted on sites that may or may not be real – gives me much more confidence to have a go at something new.

Today’s affirmation is –

I am more than the skin I am in.  I am the person within.

I will strive to change all that I can to keep this condition at bay.

I will not be concerned with how others who don’t understand offer well meaning suggestions.

I will be inspired by those who have found a way forward and willing to try what they have with an open heart.

I will explain to those who think they understand and tell them to read this blog,

‘I am on a journey to find out what works best for me.’

I will not give up, but persevere and believe I can bring this more under control.

Thanks so much for listening.

Next week I visit a health clinic. . .   Today I take an afternoon walk in the cool of the evening.

(c) June Perkins

 

PS  I promise to keep up the poetry, photography, writing posts and keep this condition in perspective.  I am hoping that by sharing the blog of the health journey for others with this condition, or with family members with it, that they might feel  less alone.  I am making a journey with them.