I knew it when I saw my dermatologist a couple weeks ago. My treatment is working. I’ve hit the sweet spot of my treatment cycle with Neoral (cyclosporine). I found a dose that controls much of my psoriasis with few side effects. My psoriasis is in remission. I feel like I’ve been released from prison, but with one caveat. I can only take Neoral for about a year per medical guidelines. I may only be free of psoriasis for a few months before it returns. Remissions brought about by medication don’t usually last that long for me anyhow.
So what do I do when psoriasis is in remission? Everything I can!
For me psoriasis is a time and emotional sink. I can spend hours a week on my skin routines, including bathing, moisturizing, and applying different topical medications. I also waste time worrying about my skin, scouring the Internet for possible treatments, while wondering what major side effects I may face. But these days I don’t need much time at all to take care of my skin. A quick shower and moisturizers usually is enough. Now I have time and energy for other pursuits. I’ll share three of them here.
Taking a Class
I’ve been working on a graduate degree program for a few years now. It’s slow going as I work and provide for the family. With a long commute, and psoriasis to manage, I haven’t spent much time on my program the last couple of years. Now I have a chance to make up for lost time. I’m reading about three thousand pages and writing tens of pages in preparation for my class on Christian Spirituality. Besides learning and professional development, the material itself teaches me ways I can bring spirituality to living with psoriasis.
Traveling
So far this calendar year I’ve taken eleven trips, most of them involving an airplane of some sort. I’ve traveled to Orlando, to the United Kingdom, and to various places in Northern California. I have at least three more trips planned for the rest of the year. Some trips are for work, others for pleasure and seeing friends. In the past I wouldn’t dare travel as much as the stress and hassle typically worsens my condition. Now I have confidence that my treatment will control my psoriasis enough to allow me to travel. I’ve enjoyed traveling to places old and new, meeting new people, and working out of town.
[For some great tips on traveling with psoriasis click here.]
Going Out
As much as I’ve addressed the social stigma of having psoriasis, I still have those moments I don’t want to go out. I might feel self-conscious about the lesions, emotionally drained or low, or withdrawn. Nothing wrong with staying in, grabbing a movie from Redbox, and snuggling up with the dog. But with my condition improved I feel more like going out. I might just go out shopping with my wife, try a new restaurant, or visit local attractions. It doesn’t matter so much what we do, I’m just glad I’m out doing whatever.
I have a long list of what I want to do with mostly clear skin. I want to take every advantage of this time. After all, life is short—and it’s not only shortened by having a chronic disease like psoriasis.