By
JG Michel Blais
Take it from a long time sufferer of Psoriasis. Don't you ever get tired of all the bull crap on How To Cure Psoriasis? Read my story first and then judge for yourself. First there's a few basic things you need to understand before I teach you how to cure psoriasis in less than 3 months.
For as long as I can remember I've been searching for a Psoriasis cure all of my life. Other than a "temporary", but total disappearance of all traces of of Psoriasis on my body a few years ago, as far as I was concerned, there was no cure for Psoriasis. But wait... all of these years I've been approaching this all wrong, and so has everybody else including your narrow-minded doctor.
The reason being, is that there will never be a cure for psoriasis until such time that a team of biologist are assigned the task of discovering why our killer T-cells are over-reacting, and creating a medication mild enough for every day use that will suppress the immune system without the risk of developing other diseases. Does this sound like a contradiction? It sure is!
Rest assured that I speak and write from experience in addition to the extensive research I have done on the subject. Just so that you know, I'm not against doctors. I just feel that most doctors live in ignorance! Can you blame them? They've studied long and hard in their respective discipline to obtain their degrees, so in their minds, why should they listen to anyone else? How dare they ask me to "think" outside the box?
They usually have a family like most of us, are busy with their personal lives, and heck it's not their problem... they've become indifferent and immune to people's complaints about their legitimate health problems... until it affects them personally! This added to the fact that they constantly live in fear of being sued.
I've been a Psoriasis sufferer since the age of 22. I'm now 62, and I hope my story will inspire you not to waste too much time with this disease... as Psoriasis does worsen as you get older. Depriving yourself of everyday living, such as going swimming with your children to avoid embarrassment to them or yourself... things such as dating, wearing summer clothing, walking the beaches, always hiding and always conscious of people staring, making comments! Is it contagious? You know the feeling... being refused access to public swimming places because they fear you might catch another disease... so they say, and doing this for years, decades even... depriving yourself all of those little things that really count, which you could have done if only your doctor would have "thought" outside the box a little!
Using useless prescribed creams and methods that just don't work, in the hope of a better life! But enough of that for now, as I'll continue my story after giving you some facts on Psoriasis which were never revealed to you. And, what you must do to NO LONGER HAVE TO LIVE WITH PSORIASIS! This doesn't mean that your Psoriasis is cured... it simply means that their will never be any visible traces of Psoriasis on your body... but better still, your Psoriasis will be controlled... in effect, the spread of it STOPPED!
Let's begin with what Is Psoriasis? In short, Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. I want you to think real hard on these two phrases... autoimmune disease and faulty signal!
- Autoimmune disease? Disease is a little harsh. It's more like an unbalanced immune system (probably due to some form of toxin in your body which has yet to be identified).
- A faulty signal! This is so very important to understand. Skin cells have a regular and natural growth cycle of about 24 days on average. In the case of Psoriasis, the growth cycle is much faster, hence not giving you enough time to shed your old skin, the new skin accumulating at the top causing inflammation and forming psoriatic plaques, before the old skin has had time to shed. What you have is a build-up of skin.
Your skin has a very sophisticated defense mechanism, whereby every time it feels it's being invaded by some foreign, exterior toxin of some kind (many times a day), it signals the first cells of defense to stop these invaders by whichever way it has damaged and penetrated your skin, letting the natural growth cycle of new skin cells take it's course.
The red inflammation you see on your skin is in fact that first line of defense, such as in an insect bite. If these guys can't do the job, then they call upon REAL killer cells (T-cells), to come and do the job. These killer cells have a built in memory system, recalling past infections... and should only react when this specific intruder is present, or when called upon by the first line of defense for some other toxin/intruder. The natural growth cycle of skin cells continues as if nothing ever happened.
Again, the red inflammation you see around a cut, or wound, is that first line of defense busy working to heal the cut or wound and keeping out infections... and this is normal. Without inflammation, cuts and wounds would not heal and leave you open to serious infections. In the case of Psoriasis, rather than the first line of defense taking over and letting the growth cycle of new skin take it's course, it is the real killer cells that immediately jump into action and in doing so causes the growth cycle of new skin to be fast with the result being an abundance of skin which form those scaly, silver looking patches.
Remember what I said about killer T-cells... they have a built-in memory system. When they are called upon to react for a particular infection, they will always respond for that particular infection thereafter. So when you first contracted Psoriasis and your killer T-cells reacted, that was it... it was forever embedded in their memory. So, in the case of Psoriasis, your immune system, rather than letting the first line of defense take it's role, it calls upon those killer T-cells, interferes with the normal growth cycle, and quickens the process for faster healing, hence causing an over abundance of new skin under the yet to be shed old skin.
Psoriasis is not contagious. It commonly causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin, although some patients have no dermatological symptoms. The scaly patches commonly caused by psoriasis, called psoriasis plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet, and genitals.
The disorder, as it is now called, is a chronic recurring condition that varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and can be seen as an isolated symptom. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis first appeared on my body, after a deep cut I sustained from a piece of chrome molding of a car. The cut was on the left forearm, close t the left elbow. At the time, I hadn't thought much of it, but was glad that the 2" long and deep cut had healed rather quickly. I was 22 at the time.
A few months later, the itching began and I noticed flaking of skin where the cut had been. The more time went by, the more the flaking had moved towards the left elbow. Now I was constantly scratching and picking at my left elbow. The more I scratched, the more the flaking developed into full blown scales, silver in color, and all I had to do was just pick at the scales... and they would fall off. It was then that I was diagnosed with Psoriasis. I was told it was incurable and to learn to live with it. By the following year, Psoriasis had spread to both elbows and both knees... and a very small spot or plaque, on the right thigh.
Fast Forward 3 Years...there is a point to all this. In 1974, I turned 25... and something I never expected happened. I was hospitalized for a growth on the left optic nerve. A growth called a pseudo tumor that just kept growing and slowly pushing my left eye out of its socket, causing extreme pain. I remained in that hospital (the Montreal Institute of Neurology), for approximately 90 days... but not without a series of many, many awkward tests involving a team of worldwide experts trying to determine the best approach to resolving my problem. One of the options was to drill a hole through my skull to try and get a biopsy of this growth. It was quickly ruled out because it being on the optic nerve, guaranteed complete blindness in the left eye and partial blindness in the right eye.
The only alternative left was to put me on a certain medication, which at the time was considered extremely dangerous because of its side effects. One of their main concerns was sterility for the rest of my life, and extreme weakening of my immune system leaving me open to serious infections which would normally not occur... as if I cared at 25. I mean what were my options... blindness or no kids! I'm Introduced To Prednisone.
Before I begin telling you of my experience on Prednisone, let me give you a brief description of this drug according to Wikipedia as of the writing of this report, some 35 years later.Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that is particularly effective as an immunosuppressant, and affects virtually all of the immune system. It is used to treat certain inflammatory diseases and (at
higher doses) cancer, but has significant adverse effects. Since it suppresses the immune system, it leaves patients more susceptible to infections.
In fact, during an overnight stay at the hospital recently, I was put in a room with 6 other men who had prostate cancer. All f those men were receiving Prednisone as a treatment for their prostate cancer. Prednisone is a prodrug that is converted by the liver into prednisolone, which is the active drug and also a steroid.
My treating physician sees no alternative but to put me on a high dosage beginning with 36 pills, then skipping a day, then down to 34 pills... and so on, always skipping a day in between. It worked! Not only did it suppress the growth on my optic nerve, but because it is an immunosuppressant, and hence suppressed those famous Real killer cells which causes Psoriasis... and all of my Psoriasis disappeared! Once of the Prednisone... and a few months down the road, the Psoriasis began to re-appear.
Fast forward to 1979. My father passes away at 59... and I'm traumatized! This trauma triggers the mass sitting on my optic nerve again. Back on Prednisone, but this time on a smaller scale. Starting with 24 - 22 - 20 and so on. All of my Psoriasis disappears... and re-appears some months down the line after I stopped the treatment. Ironically, my treating physician, a top neurologist at the Montreal Institute of Neurology informs me that Prednisone is not as dangerous as they once thought!
Fast forward to 1984. Low and behold, another trauma in my life... but this time because of a financial breakdown. On the point of losing my home etc., this trauma triggers my growth once again. Back on Prednisone on a smaller dose... 12 - 10 - 8... with the same results. After 1984, I never went back to Prednisone.
Fast forward to 2005. It is a difficult time in my life... alone, jobless, living in a basement apartment with lots of humidity and at times mold. In addition I'm going through stressful times with my teenage son. By now, the Psoriasis on my right thigh has grown to the size of a small plate. This stressful situation is beginning to take its toll. Psoriasis has now appeared on my front left leg just above my ankle and is growing rapidly. It has also appeared on the calf of my right leg and growing rapidly.
Fast forward to 2008 - 2009. Psoriasis has now spread to my lower back, my buttocks and in between the inner thighs and genitals. I'm living a nightmare. Early one morning in the fall of 2009, at about 5:00 A.M., I come to get out of bed and the moment my feet touch the floor, I feel excruciating pain in my feet and ankles. My feet, toes, ankles are swollen. In a panic I get to the hospital with just socks on, since I can't get my shoes on. After a few blood tests and a physical examination, I'm diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis brought on by my Psoriasis!
I'm referred to a dermatologist who tells me he can't do anything for but prescribe cream. I politely tell him "you obviously know very little about psoriasis" and leave! The hospital had also referred me to a Rheumatologist who supposedly is the specialist for Psoriatic Arthritis. Unfortunately, I've been trying to see this specialist for over a year now. I'm hoping that he will put me on a maintenance level of Prednisone, but I'm not holding my breath...cause I don't particularly care what he says, and here's why!
My research on Prednisone led me to a 21 page report prepared by Dr. Schein... so I will only outline what is pertinent to Psoriasis. I have only quoted what I feel is important to Psoriasis sufferers... what you must know before you decide to take this route, as I am about to:
1. What is clear in my mind is this... that Prednisone does allow you to live free of Psoriasis.
2. It is a fact that it can be taken on a maintenance level without too much concern.
Description: Prednisone is the most commonly prescribed oral corticosteroid. The drug is metabolized in the liver to its active form, prednisolone. Prednisone is 4 times as potent as a glucocorticoid (also known as GC). So What Is Glucocorticoids? GCs are naturally occurring hormones that prevent or suppress inflammation and immune responses when administered at pharmacological doses. GCs are part of the feedback mechanism in the immune system that turns immune activity (inflammation) down. They are therefore used in medicine to treat diseases that are caused by an overactive immune system, such as in Psoriasis. They also interfere with some of the abnormal mechanisms in cancer cells, so they are used in high doses to treat cancer.
Side Note: if it is the most commonly prescribed oral corticosteroid... then it cannot be that dangerous as my doctor once told me.
Pharmacokinetics: Prednisone is rapidly absorbed across the GI membrane following oral administration. Peak effects can be observed after 1 - 2 hours. Systemic prednisone (meaning taken according to a specific prescribed dosage), is quickly distributed into the kidneys, intestines, skin, liver and muscle. Any excess... inactive as well as small portions of active are excreted in the urine.
Dosage: Important... these recommended dosages are equivalent Glucocorticoid dosages. The following is the exact wording taken from the report which deals with Psoriasis. "For the treatment of rheumatic conditions such as arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute non-specific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis and gout, osteoarthritis, or epicondylitis".
Oral Adult Dosage: Dosage is titrated (concentration is determined), to response. Usual dosage, however, is 5 - 30mg once daily.
Side Effects: Granted, there are a lot of them... but, they are "more" there as a precaution. As I stated earlier, my
doctor told me that prednisone is not as dangerous as once thought to be. You also have to pay attention to your pre-existing condition.There are over-the-counter drugs on the market, that people take every day, that have just as many side-effects and worse! I'll give you just one example here... ALEVE!
There are also other oral drugs being prescribed for Psoriasis which are equally full of side-effects. I for one, consider Prednisone safer than most... but at least it works.
Conclusion: Considering the amount of Prednisone I use to take, with no or little side effects, I truly believe that we Psoriasis sufferers... especially the ones who's Psoriasis has escalated to Psoriatic Arthritis should have the option to decide whether we want to take a little risk or not! It's up to you to question your doctor
The Irony: I've come to realize that after a certain age, almost everybody either dies of cancer or heart failure whether their immune system is strong or not. One of the warnings of taking Prednisone is weakening your immune system and making you more susceptible to cancer. But yet, once you get cancer and you most likely will in later years... is they treat you with Prednisone, as in prostate cancer... the biggest killer of men next to heart failure. The same can be said for women with breast cancer. Isn't that ironic?
Can it be that if you take Prednisone before cancer ever develops, that your chances of getting cancer are less?
Alternatively: Now I'm about to reveal to you what happened to me between 1990 and 1992. If you recall, this was during the big commotion on this new supplement called "beta carotene". But not just any beta carotene, one specific expensive brand which is no longer available since certain "people" started saying that you could actually overdose on beta carotene... which turned out to be false. After being on this particular brand for about 3-4 months, all of my psoriasis had disappeared. Unfortunately, I never ordered enough and eventually the psoriasis came back.
This taught me a very important lesson because, that particular brand of beta carotene was the equivalent of eating many pounds of carrots, lettuce, cabbage, and fruits such as apples in huge doses and all in one day. Obviously, this is physically impossible in it's natural form. But here is the key: it was a supplement consisting of massive amounts of vegetables and fruits with mainly carrots.
Supplements are meant to be taken with your regular meals. However, the point being is that this beta carotene became your main massive intake of vegetables and fruits, which in turn restored the balance of your autoimmune system.
In conclusion, in order to control your psoriasis and make it disappear for good, you need to restore the balance of your autoimmune system (safely suppressing those killer T-cells), via a proper alkaline diet consisting of mostly vegetables and fruits... and stay on it for the rest of your life.
So you have a dumb doctor who won't put you on a maintenance dosage of prednisone... what can you do? You fear taking Prednisone or any other kind of medicine for Psoriasis. First, you begin by creating and follow a diet specifically tailored for people with Psoriasis.
I suggest you visit this website
www.cure-for-psoriasis.net for a look at the
special link to a book with the perfect diets to follow. Next find a supplement consisting of mainly vegetables that will compliment your Psoriasis diet 10 fold, and stick with it.
This will suppress your killer T-cells without any danger of lowering your auto immune system.
There is a supplement which very few people have heard of. I'm waiting for it through the mail and it is very cheap. I'll give you a small clue... it's 100 times more powerful than beta carotene. Looking forward to write an article on it with my results.
Jon Michel is a long time sufferer of Psoriasis and publisher of
Cure-For-Psoriasis.net Make sure you visit this site if your serious about curing your psoriasis.
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