Her Skin and Bones - A Life with Psoriasis

Hey guys! So today I want to talk about options for when a doctor deems your condition not severe enough to step up to the next rung of treatments. This can happen for a number of reasons, and can be quite upsetting, because for us, the fact that it is there at all feels terrible, and feels incredibly unfair that a treatment should be ignored because its by textbook example "not bad enough". However, when you consider that some of the treatment options offered can cause more problems that they solve, its important to remember that in some cases it may be in your best interests, plus, you need to have somewhere to go, should things get worse. Its not impossible to climb the medical ladder, but it can take a lot longer than someone with a large amount of coverage. I know its incredibly frustrating. It can take such a long time to get onto a treatment that even dents the surface of the issues, and no one wants  to keep it longer than they have to. But the problem with an a

Hello again! So over the past few days, I have been writing a post ready to get up, this isn't it. Its been a while since I've posted, and this is why. I've been sick over the last 2 weeks - Picked up the flu, a nice sinus infection, beginnings of a chest infection, thrush and about 10 more layers of exhaustion. I thought I was getting better over the weekend , and went and got my hair done. It turns out I was wrong, and I live with regrets :p. I'm still fighting with the side effects from the Taltz, so fatigue is not a word that covers how I've been feeling, and my bed has been my home over the last week especially. I spent too much time out in the cold, and I am physically paying for it now, which is disappointing. I've been in a bit of a hole mentally over the last month or so, and I'm not yet sure if the timing is coincidental with the start of my Taltz treatment, or brought on a bit by it. Either way, last night it came to a head with thanks to so

Hey Guys! So today, I want to talk about weight. I know this may be a sensitive topic for a few of us, because we lose so much control over our bodies when it comes to battling a chronic health condition. I want to start by saying that while my experience is from that of the underweight, I want to stress that those on their fight to lose unwanted weight are just as welcome, valid and important. I will not tolerate any prejudice from one towards the other, because the reality is, we all fight our own battles for our own reasons, and while we may have opposing goals, we are all trying to be a happier, healthier version of ourselves. Treatment options can be a big cause of our weight fluctuations, and a huge cause of frustration and embarrassment for us, as can the health issues that require them like PsA, Pso Lupus and Crohns. They can directly affect the way we feel inside ourselves, and change our physical appearance so much that sometimes just leaving the house takes courage. Th

Hello again! Today I want to talk about pregnancy when you have a chronic health condition. **There will be TMI things, because child birth!** There is a lot (more) to consider when you choose to procreate, with any long term illness. I know I had a lot of things going through my head when we were deciding if we should start a family. I was, and still am terrified that my kids might have to go through what I did. It is my greatest fear! I am worried as they get older they will get picked on. I worry that other mums who don't understand wont want to let their kids come to play. I also worry that i'm going to wind up in a wheelchair, or be otherwise incapable of playing with them and teaching them things as they grow up. These things terrify me! I've always wanted to be a mum, ever since I was little. Never getting to experience our amazing little boy? Never getting to see Jason be the amazing dad he is? It just was never an option for us. I wouldn't change a thin

Hey Guys! So, today marks 1 month on Taltz! This adventure has so far been a bumpy ride. It has definitely helped my skin, but differently to how Humira or anything really, has helped in the past. I'm still having trouble with my joints, although I'm definitely in less pain, I'm still in some pain, and still feel the restrictions in my movements as I did before I started. To my knowledge, this is currently in trials to become a PsA treatment, but unless mine isn't PsA, it's not really helped as much on that front as I'd hoped it would. While the side effects have been more prominent, they have been mostly common. The headaches have been fairly extreme, almost daily. While Neurofen or Panadol takes the edge off, its back as soon as they wear off.  The exhaustion. I have been so tired you guys. For about 2 days after the injection, I feel more energised, and actually struggle to get to sleep, and then it's kind of like a sugar crash only it lasts for t

Hey guys. Todays post is going to be a bit less cheerful, because to be honest, I'm just not feeling it. I've been asked alot lately if I have PsA. The simple answer is yes. I've said many times that for me, my skin is a back seat issue, which I know is the case for many of us. My joints are my top concern, and the cause of most of my pain. Before I started Humira, I was diagnosed with PsA - I was about 19 at official diagnosis, but had the symptoms from about 15/16. It started in my lower back and particularly in my Sacroiliac joint. I tried massage, and physio, I was given a support belt, and told to wear it as often as possible. It was one that was designed to pull my pelvis back in, as the joints were being pushed apart. Then my hip joints started to go. I was regularly only able to walk with crutches, after a while I was told that I had recurring bursitis, and best course of action was to do cortisone shots into the joints as needed. Centerlink sent me for a