Careers for Psoriatics

Day 63 - July 13th

So, this past weekend, I made an awesome discovery.  A great career for Psoriatics.  Grape Harvester.  A local vineyard, of which I am a member, put out a call to it's members asking for help with harvesting the grapes.  It sounded like a fun thing to experience and since I am an avid nature photographer, a great opportunity to shoot some photos in the wonderful warm golden light of early morning, before the sun climbs too high in the sky.  The Harvest Team gathered at 6 AM, while it was still dark outside and proceeded down to the fields at the first breaking light.



Muscato Canelli Grapes

 I was dressed in a tank top and shorts, and as the sun rose through the morning, I could feel the psoriasis plaques on the back of my upper arms bathed in the intensifying rays.  I put some sunblock on my shoulders and the front of my arms.  A friend, who was there with me, said, "You missed a bunch of areas" and started to rub the lotion into the back of my arms, covering my psoriatic plaques.  I jumped away and exclaimed, "Don't cover my psoriasis - I want that to burn!  The sun is the only thing that clears it up!"  Now, we all know that the sun is not the ONLY thing - but it sure as heck helps!

Now, juxtapose the freedom of being out there in a tank top working, with my thought process a mere 48 hours later.  Out of the blue, totally unsolicited, I received a phone call from an organization interested in discussing a job opportunity with me.  I say "unsolicited" because I have not floated a resume in several years.  In late July 2009, I made the decision to leave the work force and go back to school and earn a(nother) degree, this time to focus on the health care field (I'd been a marketing and sales person throughout my career).  After a lovely conversation with the recruiter, he said that he would like to get me in front of the hiring manager for an interview this week.  Sounds great, right?  Well, it's been 104 degrees everyday, so dressing professionally, but comfortably, in light clothing would be the way to go.  Maybe not so if your arms are covered in psoriasis plaques.  You've all seen the pics of my arms ... not exactly interview appropriate at this stage of the game.  For me, it's a matter of searching my closet for the right combination of sleeve coverage, light breathable fabric and professional appearance.  When it's 104 degrees out, and the heat index make it feel ever hotter, meeting that bill can sometimes be a tall order.  Ah, the angst of a Psoriatic!

The Grape Harvester uniform of a tank top, shorts and sneakers seems awfully appealing (and freeing) when you've got Psoriasis.  These are the odd things Psoriatics think about.  Thoughts that would never enter the realm of someone not suffering from the disease.



Photos on the left are from several weeks ago,
photos on the right were shot Day 62 - 7/12/11

 Ok, on to how I'm doing on Apremilast as of the 63 day point.  Well, a picture tells 1000 words, doesn't it.  Shots on the left were from a few weeks ago, shots on the right are from yesterday, the top are of my left forearm and the bottom set is of my right forearm.

Skin Inventory
 - As you can see from the photo - especially the top set of my left arm, the margins on two distinct plaques has spread and joined into one larger plaque.  Plaque margins in general appearing to be increasing.
- Plaque thickness and scaling - significant improvement from when I first started the drug.
- New plaques - Yes, but probably not as many new plaques as I would've had if I were not on Apremilast.
- No plaques have completely disappeared.

Joints
- Overall pretty good.  Some issues with left wrist, left elbow and right knee.  Problems dissipated on their own.

GI Side Effect
- Still having issues.  I had two days last week without diarrhea and was hoping I'd hit a "turning point".  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  If you are considering going on this drug, purchase Proctor & Gamble stock so that you can at least recoup on your significantly increased toilet paper consumption.
- Still an increase in acid reflux.
 
The stomach issues are not enough to stop the drug, but they are definitely annoying to live with!  And draining (literally, lol).

I'd like to give a shout out to readers in the US, UK, Belgium, Lebanon and Australia and thank you for your support.  I hope this blog is giving you the info you need.  As I've said before, if there is something in particular you are interested in, let me know and I will do my best to address it.

For all the countries I didn't mention - I know you're out there and I appreciate you, shout out coming ...