My War with Psoriasis: An Interview with British Blogger Simon

Welcome to the latest installment of our “Spotlighted Blogger” series.  Earlier this year, we focused on psoriasis bloggers, including Lissa, Alisha B., Jessica and Joni, and today we’re pleased to add a male perspective to the mix.  PatientsLikeMe member Simon’s witty blog, entitled My Skin and I, discusses his decade-long battle with psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that can cause itchingrashes and plaques.  What has he learned along the way?  Find out that and more in our interview.

Psoriasis Blogger Simon of "My Skin and I" Relaxing and Enjoying the Holidays

1.     Why did you start blogging about psoriasis, and what’s the reaction been?

I started blogging as a way to vent my feelings. I don’t really talk about my feelings, even to my family, and found it very hard to explain what was going on in my head and in my life.

When I spoke to people about psoriasis, I kept a lot back and, to write it, even if I hadn’t published it, was a release. I decided to make it public partly as I needed my family to understand what I had been going through and also to help raise awareness.

The reaction has been positive.  I have been told I made a few people cry and even had other friends suddenly announce they also have the condition. This showed me that I wasn’t alone and that there are many people that feel the same way and hide their emotions. I am quite pleased that I haven’t had much in the way of sympathy as that’s not why I started the blog.  The worst thing is people saying, “you poor thing.”

2.     You write about your “war with psoriasis.” Are you winning these days?

Ask me this question on different days and I might answer it differently each time. I would say generally yes, although I have lost a few skirmishes lately. The last couple of months have been extremely stressful due to personal and work issues, which hasn’t helped, and psoriasis clings on to moments like that. Also, with the cold weather in the UK at the moment, especially with the sudden freezing weather, my skin is quite sore and dry despite using my creams.

My skin is still at a manageable state, though, and even though it has got a little worse over the last week, it’s nothing I can’t handle. I just have the slight wobble, then think of Christmas coming, and there has been plenty going on lately to keep my mind occupied. The dark space that psoriasis occupies in my head is quite small at the moment.

3.     You recently joined PatientsLikeMe. What’s your impression thus far?

My first impression is good. I haven’t been that active on the site but then I haven’t done much on the blog either recently, or on my food blog that I also write, purely because I’ve been so busy. The people I have come into contact with through the site have all been positive and friendly, which is great. There is a time when the purely psoriasis groups/sites get a bit depressive, and I find myself backing away.

What’s Simon’s other big passion beyond psoriasis awareness?  Food, as this photo of him preparing Coq D’Argent shows. Does he alter what he eats based on his psoriasis?  Click to read the answer.

Psoriasis does seem to bring a lot of anger with it, and I quite understand that.  I just wish my fellow sufferers were a bit friendlier to each other now and then. And there are some who are brilliant; in fact, you have interviewed a few already. It is quite sobering to read what others go through, and this helps me get some perspective on my own condition.

4.     What advice would you give someone who’s newly diagnosed with psoriasis?

I would say make sure you see your doctor (GP here in the UK) and ask for a referral if you think your skin is bad enough. Find one of the many supports sites, like this one, which can measure your severity. But if the doctor can’t seem to help you, ask to be referred no matter how bad your skin is. Also persevere with the medication, as your skin is very unique to you and, just because one treatment works for one person, doesn’t mean it will work for you. Give them time to work and, if there’s no response, try something else.

The other thing is to talk.  It doesn’t have to be to your family or anyone close. The most important person is your doctor – don’t just show them your skin, tell them exactly how it makes you feel. If you can’t tell anyone, then write it down. There are many support networks out there with people who have the same condition and who will understand what you are going through. One last thing:  do not give up the fight.

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Want to hear how other psoriasis patients are dealing with dry air, cooler temps and other seasonal changes?  Check out our recent Patient Voice report on coping with psoriasis in the fall.  Also, find all of our blog coverage of psoriasis here.

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3 thoughts on “My War with Psoriasis: An Interview with British Blogger Simon”

  1. I innvolved with psoriasis from 1961when I for the first time met my future wife. She had serious plque p from her 9 yo. After we passed some times exclusive circle – clinics, drs, hosps etc, we in time understood that at that circle she doomed to go all the rest her life. From nowhere to wait help. In spite of those that at that time we had 20 yo and without any experience in that field, we decided to seek medicine ourselves. That work took us 15 yrs of our life. Those was most difficult time for my wife, especially after 1966 when she born first child. Her skin covered by p at 90%. It is sufficient to say that some time in summer people denied take money from her hands. But our many yrs work not passed in vainly. In 1977 after 25 yrs illness we once and for all cured p. Last 21 yrs I annually cured some patients.
    Any questions feel free at my pneved@gmail.com only

  2. Hi. I have lived with psoriasis for more than 6 years. Scalp psoriasis was the worst i had to put up with. I researched as much as i could on the topic and understood that psoriasis could be a result of toxin build up in the body. The toxin that are unable to be released from the system then surfaces in the form of various skin diseases. Having understood this i researched on herbal medicine that could flush out the toxin from our body. I recently came across a herbal powder from India. The indian name is Kaduk. It originates from India. Its a dry fruit from a particular tree. The seed is removed from the fruit and cannot be used. The shell from the dry fruit is powdered. The herbal powder is very bitter in taste but has been known to flush out toxins from the body relieving us from not just skin diseases but other diseases that stem from toxin build up. I have been taking this powder every night and i apply pure coconut oil on the area. Within two weeks i started noticing a significant change in my condition. The scalp psoriasis reduced and has been clearing up. My skin is on its way to restoration. I just want to share. I have used various tropical creams and steroids that caused my skin to become thinner. I had to put up with itch and uncomfortable conditions. I feel a lot better and im anticipating to get rid of the agony of living with psoriasis and relying on the doctors. I just wanted to share and help others suffering from psoriasis. Thanks

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