A late psoriasis diagnosis

My psoriasis actually started when I was 9 years old. I had large plaques on my arms and torso. I remember the pediatrician telling my mother "It looks like psoriasis but there's nothing I can do."

I started developing plaques at 16 years old

When I was 16, I went into remission. At age 24, I developed solar urticaria. This continued for about 5 years then stopped. I developed plaques on my arms and I thought they were depigmented areas from the solar urticaria that I had previously except they itched like crazy!

About 15 years ago I started having what I call flares: joint pain, horrible fatigue and I now started having plaques show up on my legs, arms, ears, and groin. I went to a rheumatologist who told me I had osteoarthritis and I seemed to have something inflammatory going on but they didn't know what. The only thing that seemed to help was high dose steroids.

The annoying psoriasis symptoms I experience

After all the steroids I now had to deal with weight gain and very visible plaques that people would stare at and ask "What's that all over your arms?". They don't see my legs and the "snow shower" because I won't wear dresses or shorts. It seemed that no amount of moisturizing creams helped the problem. I've become somewhat of a recluse because of the plaques and fatigue that I am experiencing. I know good skincare is important so I would love to win your package of products. I've not known what to do, other than use moisturizers, which haven't seemed to help.

My treatment plan for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Fast forward after 4 different rheumatologists I've finally got a diagnosis after 15 years, which is plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I just started a biologic so I hope this will help both problems. Thank you for allowing me to share my story.