WARNING: Contains pictures some readers may find distressing.
I’ve been unable to make any more appointments since my last post due to an unexpected setback. Last year I broke two ribs on a fun fair ride and was dismayed to discover that the medical massage I received at my first treatment had opened these back up. I queried with my doctor as to how this could happen but he merely shrugged his shoulders and said that ‘ribs are funny things’. Not funny when you’ve got them though.
Now I discover that my skin is, once again, infected. Whether that is down to my rib injury or just plain bad luck I’m unsure but it means that I am back to being housebound and pumped with antibiotics. As of yet no one has suggested anything to alleviate my mental distress. I am tempted to ‘self-medicate’ but am aware that alcohol will merely exacerbate the problem.
My home disintegrates around me and I am forced to rely heavily on my sons father to fulfill Alex’s needs. I’m utilising the internet, have credit on my phone and I’m becoming quite adept at asking for help and saying no when asked if I can attend appointments. I refuse to give in but sometimes, usually at four in the morning when the pain hits its peak, I waver and begin to wonder if it’s worth carrying on with this miserable existence.
I have decided to post pictures of my condition just so that people will get a better idea of what I’m up against. As you can imagine, they are not pleasant. Please be warned and If you choose not to I totally understand.
Kate
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Coffee-with-Kate's Blog 
Mar 14, 2011 @ 18:36:55
Gosh Kate, poor you. Have you considered taking aloe vera gel to boost your immune system and help to ward off flare-ups? If you’d like to DM or email me your address I’d be happy to send you a sample of a cream that might help.
Take care,
Angela xx
Mar 14, 2011 @ 23:03:48
Kate,
Read the post, saw the pictures. Well. I can see how this has got you down in the dumps. Couple it with sleep deprivation and the broken ribs and….
But remember one thing. THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Challenge the doctor. Find out why you weren’t warned that this could happen.
And please consider visiting a homeopath. My son’s eczema used to weep through his t-shirts and he used to cry in agony. The doctor kept dosing him with antibiotics to deal with the infection but all they do is suppress the real reason these psychosomatic illnesses break out in the first place. Trainboy is now cured entirely and my homeopath is treating my husband’s psoriasis (not as bad as your outbreak but pretty bad with cracking and bleeding on hands and feet).
Anyway, remember that it will go and be strong. Give it a good push out with your strength.
x
Elpi
Mar 18, 2011 @ 10:40:41
You so poor thing! As I think I told you, my aunt suffers from total body psoriasis and has done so all her life; it really affects your quality of life. But I don’t think she has it on the soles of feet or palms of hands. When things get bad like this it can be really hard dealing with all the very dark and negative feelings we get as a consequence of the ‘why me?’ and ‘what’s the point?’ sort. Keeping your spirits up in dark and difficult places is ever hard. You have lots of love and support ‘out here’ and, as one of your other commentators suggested ‘ this too will pass’. But suffering of any order is usually terrible to endure, hence ‘suffering’. My heart, love and prayers go to you Kate! Hang on in there … X
Mar 31, 2011 @ 11:02:18
You poor thing, this is a massive flare. You need to get the infection under control but also try and de-stress if you can and really think about your diet, I know how tempting it must be to drown your sorrows but alcohol and other toxins are not good, and will only make this condition worse. Once the antibiotics have done their thing, what has been recommended next? Got to wonder if a short course of topical steriods would help – I know they are frowned upon but it could help get it under control and then concentrate on the diet and relaxation.
May 22, 2011 @ 15:21:12
Oh Kate that looks so sore. I do hope your doctor manages to treat the infection/flareup for you as soon as possible. I have psoriasis too, although not as badly as yours and wish I could think of something useful you could use to help.