Case Stories

The link between arthritis and psoriasis was never made clear to me

Tue, 26 Jan 2016

My problems with psoriasis arthritis started some 20+ years after a road accident in which I suffered severe head injuries (Glasgow trauma score of 5). I have always suffered from eczema and generally itchy skin including dandruff, from the age of about 14.

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 24

Tue, 26 Jan 2016

I, unlike most, developed arthritis first, then years later the psoriasis came. I have had joint pain for as long as I can remember. I am not confident that all those ‘growing pains’ weren't actually arthritis.

I feel very much alone with this

Mon, 21 Dec 2015

I developed psoriasis at 11. Clearly, there was a strong genetic link as my father had severe psoriasis. My mother's reaction was very negative in that she said no one would ever want to marry me with this! Not a great thing for a young adolescent to hear.

People look at me and think there is nothing wrong

Fri, 11 Dec 2015

I've had patches of psoriasis on my head and body since I was about 10 years old. Steroid creams are useless [for me]. Then joint pain and arthritis symptoms started when I was 26 and they all came on really quickly affecting every joint in my body from the jaw down.

A silent hidden illness

Fri, 13 Nov 2015

I have had my psoriasis for over 20 years now and seem to have it in places different from others, thankfully not on my face.

I try not to fight it, but accept my condition

Thu, 12 Nov 2015

I try to keep possitive despite the aches and pains and to keep active. I still work full time as a Taxi Driver but make no secret of my condition to friends family and everyone. I do have days when I feel exhausted but I use those days to do things like reading, letter writing etc.

It's so difficult to get an appointment at my GP surgery

Thu, 12 Nov 2015

I have had psoriasis for over 30 years. It started in my late 20s after the birth of my first child. I used steroid creams for years but the skin on my knees & elbows got so thin the slightest knock & it would bleed.

I have become a better, stronger and more confident

Thu, 12 Nov 2015

When I was 12 I was diagnosed with psoriasis. I remember the day it just appeared. My mum and I thought it was just poison ivy, but then it kept getting worse. Everyday at school from that point until I graduated high school people kept looking at me and making fun of me.

Be positive and strong and don't give in

Fri, 05 Jun 2015

Just before my 40th birthday I woke up in the middle of the night with a horrific pain in the inside of my right knee. This developed into inflamed knees, ankles, wrists and fingers. I couldn't use my hands, couldn't kneel down, couldn't do anything.

It helps to share

Fri, 05 Jun 2015

I have had trouble with my heels splitting for several years,I was referred to the dermatology dept and diagnosed with psoriasis. I have had multiple treatments and at the moment have had 7 PUVA treatments.