I've been reading these boards for a few days now. I wish I had found them sooner. As I read tears are just pouring down my face because I have finally found a place where people understand what it is I am going through. I am 30 years old, married with 2 kids. I have had psoriasis since I was 22 years old and have suffered from PA for about 3 years now. My doctor wants me to go on Enbrel but we have no insurance and I didn't qualify for the foundation for whatever reason. I am miserable. I feel hopeless and scared. My husband doesn't understand and that makes it worse. I am tired all the time, my body aches, and I bleed on everything. I have found some strength in reading everyone elses stories here. I wanted to thank you all for that. I don't even know you and you have given me strength that I need to keep going everyday. I know I am just feeling sorry for myself right now and this too will pass. Again Thank you.

Hello emac74,
Welcome :) First I want to say, I am sorry for what you are going through! Secondly, yes there are so many wonderful people here, and so much information! Before I found this site I felt just the same as you did. Now, I have a more positive outlook on my life and my psoriasis.
There are a lot of alternative treatments you may want to try. There are a lot of threads on here about different things you can do. When I didnt have insurance I soaked in salt baths a lot and I went to the tanning bed a lot. It really helped with me Psoriasis and my self esteem. Anywho, if you ever need anyone to talk to PM me anytime. Oh, and it is so nice to meet you!!
Ashley

Hi Emac74,
Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time. You've come to a very special place. A lot of nice and helpful people post here. More important, it's great to FINALLY be able to ask questions, vent, exchange info or even share some laughs with people who truly understand.
You mentioned that you don't have insurance and that you didn't qualify for the foundation for whatever reason. I assume that you mean the ENcourage Foundation? I'm so sorry. :( There are several other assistance programs that you might want to look into. Hopefully you'll meet the qualifications for at least one of them! At least two people who sometimes post here got Enbrel for free via a program called www.needymeds.com. It sounds like a scam site, but here are the links to their stories: and .
Bonnie (screen name: Bonnie25) mentioned that she heard about an assistance program while watching Montel Williams. It's called Partnership for Prescription Assistance or PPA. Here's a link to their website: https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php) and here's a link to Bonnie's post: .
Herb (Screen name: Herb311) mentioned -- in passing -- an assistance program called www.helpingpatients.org. (Their website is virtually identical to PPA's website.) Here's a link to his post: .
Finally, Leslie (screen name: Momtotwogirls) took the time to post the information and links about several other assistance programs. Here's a link to her post: .
With the exception of www.needymeds.com, we know next to nothing about these various assistance programs. It still can't hurt to check them out. Hopefully, you'll find something that you qualify for.
I hope this helps.
Good luck. Keep us posted and please don't be a stranger.
Mike

Hi emac,
We really do know how you feel. Mike has given you some links, hope you take a look at them.
Maybe your DH would come on here and read---maybe he would understand better. It is important to have a supportive family.
It's OK to feel sorry for yourself, but then keep going. I got this when I was 24 and am now 65. I have never given up on trying to find something to help.
Hang in there,,,,,learn all you can about available treatments.

Thank you all so much. Mike, thank you thank you thank you!! I will check these links out seeing how my doc says enbrel is my last hope. I have had no results with other treatments. They work at first then nothing. I have done every ointment/cream and methotrexate. I have tried uv treatment. All give the same result. I cannot tell you how relieved I feel already just hearing from you. Grannyfranny and bubbles2002 thank you. I will definitely use this as my support system that I so desperately need. Again I cannot thank you enough.

Welcome to the boards and I am so sorry that you are going through this...Ashley was right in saying that you have found some absolutely wonderful people here....and it's always nice to have Granny on the welcome wagon and then MikeK come in with his oh so helpful links....I hope you find good info there.
I am fairly new here as well and logging on to these boards really help me get through the day...I know that you will find solace here as well.
Good luck with your p and we will see you on the boards.
Sincerely,
Abby

Emac,
I have psoriatic arthritis, and I have been able to control the pain and spread (so far) by using diet. It wasn't fast, but within weeks, I could see the difference.
PA is awful. The skin is bad enough, but who needs this?
And several folks here have had luck with slippery elm, which seems to help not only the skin, but the tummy too.
Keep reading, and ask questions if you have any.
Dulane

Welcome home for the first time!
We can’t cure you, but we can help support you. I am glad you are finding comfort through the boards. Like you said, it is lonely out there without having people to talk with who do understand. I hope you find something to relieve you of the P and PA.
Please keep us updated on how you are doing.
All the best,
Steve

hi emac,
sorry you are going through a hard time. this is a wonderful place with alot of caring people. i know they have helped me alot and will help you alot to. welcome to the p family. you have meet some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nices to meet you. hang in there. things will always get better.
have a good night all
richard

hi emac and everyone else
i am fairly new to the boards and i agree, the feeling that you get from the boards is overwhelming. i can't believe i never knew about this place before. it is a dream come true. it really helps soothe the pains that come with P. i feel like the people here are my family, they really care. we are all looking out for eachother, so eager to share what works, doesn't work. this is a world without judgment. this is exactly where we need to be.
my background: i've had p. since the age of 6 mos. i am now 30. my twin sister got p. when she was 18 years.

Hi emac and pigpen,
I'm so glad you found us. You'll find a wonderful support system here, and some awesome people. You've received some great information, but I would like to add one suggestion.
If you are interested in pursuing biologics, you may look into clinical studies in your area. You can find some here on this website at . If you're interested, please pm me, and I can send you some other links to different websites.
Good luck, and hope to get to know you. :)

Emac and Pigpen:
You have gotten some great advice already. I just wanted to add my welcome. Today is another day and we're all right here.
Hang in there,
Krista :)

Hi emac74 and pigpen........welcome to the pfamily!! The day that I found this place I realized the true meaning of hope. Sure glad that you found us too!! :)

I also have been going through a REALLY hard time with my P. I can completely understand the frustration you are having. This is my second year with it and I can only imagine how upset you must be by suffering so long.
I know you have tried everything but one thing that really helped me was epsom salts. And Im talking the full 4lb jar at once. Soaking for 3 hours each night. They are cheap and who doesn't like taking a tubby?
Anyway I wish you the best luck and want you to know that I too have bled all over everything. I had to was my sheets every day...thank God for TIDE!! It could clean up a murder site, cause thats what it looked like on my sheets sometimes.
-Marji