Her Skin and Bones - A Life with Psoriasis

Hello guys! Welcome and welcome back! I've been gone a while and I'm here to tell you why! So as you may know, I was put on Taltz at the start of August. I've got a few progress report posts in the "Current Treatment" tab. I had been experiencing headaches and migraines since beginning treatment, and was feeling alot of fatigue. I had put it down to starting a new treatment and having a loading dose - two needles on the same day. But the headaches continued. I was also dealing with extreme exhaustion, continued joint pain, and a few other things. And then I got sick. I went to the doctor at the end of August with what I thought was the flu. I mentioned my new medication, and the headaches etc. He took a look at me, and deduced I had a severe sinus infection, (the real cause of the headaches), an infection in my throat and a body so run down I could barely get out of bed. I was told not to take any shots while I had an active infection, and so I started...

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...

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 ...

Hey guys!! I just wanted to jump in real quick and share I'm on all the social medias now! If you would like to follow for more frequent updates, life stuff and regular photo updates you can follow me on Facebook , Instagram  and Twitter . I'd love to see you there! So today I have my 2-week Taltz update! For those just tuning in, there is a post in the " Current Treatments " tab if you would like to catch up. :) So! Its been 14 days, and I feel like I can give a more insightful "review" of sorts. So as you know, on Friday the 4th, I had my first loading dose of Taltz. We chose to use the PFP as neither J nor me are ultimately fond of needles, and seeing as he gives them to me, what he prefers goes - because I'm a big chicken and can't do it to myself. :p On day one, my legs ached, and felt a lot like I'd been given a really good dead leg in both legs. They continued to feel like this for about 3-4 days. On day 2-3, the injection site was...

Heya guys! Sorry for the Hiatus! I've been layed out with a headache for a bit over a week. Guessing its a side effect of the loading dose of Taltz. But it has got me thinking! Sufferers of chronic health issues of any variety experience an altered quality of life. Our good days are the ones with less pain, less itchiness, less fatigue, less side effects, etc. Sadly, they are rarely days with No pain, No fatigue etc. This has a lasting and profound effect on our mental health. How could it not? For me, the struggles with depression, and incredibly low self esteem, have been a life long battle. As I've had Psoriasis for basically my whole life, I've been through it all. Primary school and high school were not fun times for me. I would say that primary school was probably worse, kids don't have much of a filter. I got everything from "Eww, get away, i'll catch it!!" to "last one to **insert task/ race/ finish food** Has to go touch her!!", ...

Hey Guys! So as you might know if you are following along on any of my other social media ( Instagram and  Twitter  if you are interested) I recently began not just my new treatment, but a  new treatment! Going by the name of Taltz , This is another sub-cutaneous injectable, available in a PFP or Traditional pre filled injection. Now, I about fell off my chair when I first googled this one, because one of the first things that came up for me was the cost. This ain't cheap! While covered by the PBS it is only the standard $38.80 - The private cost for two injections is a whopping $3,409.52! Other things I found out while googling - - side effects/ long term effects are largely unknown aside from the more standard ones eg, headaches, injection area reactions, nausea, higher risk of infections and sore throats are common. - This particular drug is only just out of its clinical trial phase. As in only openly prescribed (by a specialist) in 2017. Brand sp...