I was diagnosed with PA in March 2006 since than I have been taking MXT,Remicade, Folic Acid ,Tamadol ,Vicodin Levothyxl and Zonegran. I used to have wonderful skin although I have psoratic arthritis my psoriasis was mostly on my scalp lately my complexion looks dull and lifeless. I am wondering if it could be all the meds? Has any one had this problem? I guess my skin used to have a nice healthy glow and now it does not. Do any of these medication cause premature aging of the skin or is it just the cause and effect of being in pain all the time. Any thought opinions or advice welcome thanks Linda from NJ DX PA 3/2006 Remicade MXT Folic Acid Tramadol Vicodin Levoxyl Zonegran I understand just what you are saying. I have changed skin care regimes about three times. I think it is the PA, and my Psoriasis usually stays on my scalp too. I take all of the fish oils with the combination of Omega 9's for the skin. I drink water, and exercise as much as possible, but still no results on the face. I am so sorry...I have not found anything that works well yet. I can totally understand the frustration!!!! I went to NY for my 40th birthday and visited an organic shop in China town and they advised almond oil with lavender (or any of the following: orange, lemon, geranium, ginger, vitamin e liquid). I bought little bottles of all of the above and make small amounts of mixtures. A friend of mine who owns her own beauty shop also said that I should buy some cheap vitamin e capsules and when I'm making my oils up I should break a couple and put the vitamin into the mix. Not only do they smell fab but my skin looks young and fresh and the essential oils last for years, so it was well worth the money. [QUOTE=Happ] What kind of cold cream are you using? I'm willing to try anything at this point for beautiful, blemish-free skin! I've got the same problem as Erica... cystic-like acne that pops up with no warning. I'm really self-conscious of it. I'm not on Pred, but I am taking MTX and Enbrel. What kind of cold cream are you using? [/QUOTE]
I use a product that is meant as a hair conditioner... sounds crazy but it works. I used to have acne mild ( mild but I'd get those sebaceous cysts that were so inflamed), but since menopause kicked in my skin has gone from oily to really dry on the cheeks & forehead. When I was taking Mtx, my hair felt like straw so I asked my hairdresser what product she'd recommend for my hair problem. She recommended a conditioner that did a great job on my hair. She told me that she only uses the best salon products and reasons that if a good conditioner can be used on your scalp without any itching, it can be used for a hand and face lotion. She has beautiful skin... her hands are constantly wet because of her work and she has never had any painful chapped hands. Getting back to my "face lotion"... the stuff I'm using really works! If you've got dry skin, it really helps to stay away from foundations that have talc as an ingredient. Hello it sure is nice to know I am not the only one with skin problems. I will look into some of the supplements as soon as my stomach calms down I am having some trouble with the MXT right now. I have been guilty of no spending that much time on my skin care so I guess i will try to start there. The comment about looking gray is a good one the people at my son bus stop can always tell when I take MXT beacause they tell me I look a look gray or was it green. Anyway thaks for the input have a wonderful day. I use a product that is meant as a hair conditioner... sounds crazy but it works.[/QUOTE]
supplement. Lots of water, a good diet, exercise. The fish oil is a must.
Take it at night or take an odorless type. I guess one of the best brand is
the arctic one, cannot remember but it is pricey. Vitamin E and Zinc are also
good skin food. You are what you consume so keep that in mind. Good
luck. The plaquinil has made my complexion peaches and cream and that is
the upside of that drug.
I spent years and more than a bit of $$$ trying to find a solution for the woes of my complexion. Everything seemed to work for a short time, and then the dryness, the itch, the lack of vitality, the dullness would not only return, but increase.
One morning as I was slathering the contents of an ultra-expensive itzy-bitty-teensy-weensy jar of wonder cream across my forehead, around my eyes, over my cheeks and under my chin, I was reminded of my maternal grandmother, who had performed a similar ablution each morning and evening and who had the softest, smoothest, clearest skin of anyone I have ever met with the exception of my beloved Aunt Lola.
On an impulse I called my Aunt and asked her to describe her skin care regime. Over the past fifteen months or so I have followed her routine and my skin is supple, smooth, relatively blemish free, and except for the "wolf-bite-butterfly" is a healthy colour.
I have been cleansing twice a day with old-fashioned-but-effective cold cream, rinsing well with warm water, using old-fashioned-but-effective witch hazel as an astringent on the oil-prone "T" zone, a drop of cold pressed olive oil as an all-over moisturizer at night and an SPF 45 facial moisturising during the day.
It may be all "in my head" but HEY! my skin feels and looks better than it has in years. Even the seborrheic dermatitis that has lurked on my face for a very long time is being held at bay.
For what it is worth. Happ
EDITED TO ADD: avocado oil is also a superb nighttime moisturizer.
Steroid acne usually begins to resolve when the daily dose is 5 Mg. or less, but just as often resolution requires yet another treatment.
It can seems like a team of physicians is required to treat the side effects of being treated for RA.
Good luck! HappI noticed my skin getting extremely dry and started to use extra virgin olive oil. Just a little during the day and maybe a little more at night and it really helped. Also, you can use it for cooking. LOL
My skin turned obviously gray on mtx. I could not tolerate it with a lot of other nasty side effects. It is probably the mtx.
I have been cleansing twice a day with old-fashioned-but-effective cold cream, rinsing well with warm water, using old-fashioned-but-effective witch hazel as an astringent on the oil-prone "T" zone, a drop of cold pressed olive oil as an all-over moisturizer at night and an SPF 45 facial moisturising during the day.
[/QUOTE]
Whatever is cheapest on shopping day!
If you are experiencing repeated episodes of cystic acne see a dermatologist, please! It can cause facial scarring.
Doesn't sound crazy to me!
My hair/scalp suffers as greatly as my face/neck/shoulders. I am not sure if recommending a specific brand is within the boundaries of AI or if such will result in a slap, and I admit to being less that brave about even cyber-slaps, but biting the proverbial bullet I will say that phyto-organic products have been a real boon in my effort to feel better by looking better.
Whatever works! Happ
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com