Do you live with any other conditions in addition to psoriasis?
Many people living with psoriasis also live with other health conditions. What other health conditions do you (or your loved one) live with? How has it been managing multiple conditions? Please share your experiences with others!
, great question and I'm really interested to hear others' experiences with this! In the past (and hopefully it stays that way!) I've had adult acne - I had to go on Roaccutane/Accutane twice as an adult. I always wonder whether this has anything to do with my psoriasis, especially as they're both inflammatory conditions. This was a little tricky as the acne treatment seemed to aggravate my psoriasis and also made my joints more achy.
Currently, I have psoriasis, which I've had for more or less my whole life. I also have psoriatic arthritis which appeared in my early twenties and was initially misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome. Last summer, I was diagnosed with type 1/autoimmune diabetes. They aren't wrong when they say autoimmune diseases like to attract one another ! I also have slightly high cholesterol which may or may not be hereditary (one of my parents has familial hypercholesterolemia).
Managing multiple health conditions does get very wearing sometimes - dealing with all sorts of symptoms, taking multiple different medications and trying remember when to take what (and if I've actually taken it!). The psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were plenty to be coping with, and then the diabetes showed up. That especially is quite challenging as I have to inject myself (and do the maths to work out how much insulin I need) anytime I want to eat. I mostly manage okay, but I definitely feel like I'm at my limit with what I can cope with. Let's hope my immune system doesn't have any more surprises for me 😬 Warmly, -Catherine, Community Moderator
Wow! I feel as though I have learned so much more about you. I always thought you were an amazing being, but I didn't know you were also a superwoman dealing with and managing all that you do! It's understandable to feel like you're at your limit. I can only imagine having to do half of the things you have to do. You're doing an amazing job managing everything despite the challenges that arise. I truly hope your immune system gives you a break and no more surprises. Take care, and remember to be kind to yourself—you're doing the best you can. All the best, Latoya (Team Member) Aww, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words,
🥰 You're so sweet. I must say it's nice to have some recognition and validation of what I've been dealing with. Nobody around me seems to have given it a second thought! Or that's what it feels like anyway. Thank you also for the reminder that I'm doing my best - I needed to hear that! We are all just trying to do the best we can with what we've been given. Sending big hugs! -Catherine, Community Moderator
I recently was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. I also have asthma which is well controlled on daily inhalers, fatty liver, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, eczema, high blood pressure and hypothyroid. I suspect many of the conditions are related to metabolic disorder and that something autoimmune is going on too. I am fatigued and sore all the time which is not normal for me but doctors think I am just being whiny. I have lost weight which should help but while overweight, never was that huge to start. I had the plaque psoriasis going on for at least 3 years before it was diagnosed.
I am so sorry that your appointment got cancelled due to the weather. Hopefully, you can soon get a new appointment, the weather can present such challenges. Do you have any idea when you would be able to get an appointment?
Preparing for the upcoming appointment will help greatly so that when you get there you don't feel overwhelmed and forget what you wanted to say or ask. I think that your journal is a great idea!
How are you managing at the moment?
Warmly, Clair ( Team Member), oh that's so frustrating about the appointment. I hope you don't have to wait too long for the next one. Appointment delays can be so difficult, especially if we're suffering. I'm glad you'll be discussing your nails with the dermatologist. If you aren't doing so already, it might be worth taking photos of any symptoms that you're experiencing whilst you wait - sometimes these have a habit of disappearing once our appointments finally come around.
Ridges are a symptom of nail psoriasis, although they can have other causes too. If it would be helpful, we have a couple of articles on how psoriasis can affect the nails: https://plaquepsoriasis.com/symptoms-affect-body/nail-changes-dystrophy
https://plaquepsoriasis.com/clinical/pathogenesis-nail-psoriasis
Please keep us posted on how you're doing, and remember that we're here anytime you have questions or need support. Warm wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator
Psoriatic arthritis
, dealing with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can be such a struggle. Quite a few of us here have both - I hope others will stop by and share with you. Are you treating your psoriasis and PsA with anything at the moment? I take methotrexate for the arthritis and this does help a bit with the psoriasis too, but I do still use a topical treatment alongside it. Thanks so much for sharing with us all! Warmly, -Catherine, Community Moderator 
we do have a sister site that is everything psoriatic arthritis. You can find it at www.psoriatic-arthritis.com and it's free to join also. Vickie, Team Member
I'm sure I'm not the only one with this comorbidity conundrum: I have both plaque & guttate psoriasis AND recurring actinic keratoses (AKs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). They coexist in the same locations (mainly my scalp and chest) and can sometimes only be distinguished through biopsy.
The hard part is that these lesions' treatments are not compatible with each other! My dermatologist (rightfully) considers the BCCs far more serious and always treats for them, at the expense of seriously aggravating the psoriatic lesions. So, basically, the psoriasis - especially on my scalp - goes mostly untreated. It gets sore, ugly, and terribly itchy. The typical fluorouracil treatments for the AKs becomes excruciatingly brutal when added to the flare ups of the psoriasis. It's like a Medieval torture! Freezing and even surgical excisions of the BCCs are much less traumatic. And biologics are contraindicated with this comorbidity.
Do others on this site have the same treatment conundrum? Has anyone found a treatment balance that works well?that is definitely a conundrum to have. I can understand the dermatologist thinking the BCC is far more serious. Can you use any of the scalp shampoo to help with the scalp psoriasis? The National Psoriasis Foundation has several they give their Seal of Recognition which can be found on their website. I am sure you will get other responses from our great community. Is it possible you can take like oral medications for the psoriasis? There are 2 that are now on the market. I hope you can find a solution soon. Vickie, Team Member
