Psoriasis Sucks...

So... about 3 years ago, my hands started to scab up and itch really bad. It began to creep up my wrists. I went to a dermatologist and she declared it was contact dermatitis, which basically meant I was allergic something I was being exposed to. We did a bunch of patch tests all over my back and found that I am, in fact, allergic to a lot of strange things like...

• Propylene glycol

• Vitamin E

• Gold

• Silver

• Nickel

• Some random form of latex but not the kind in gloves

Just to name a few. So it was reasonable to think it was contact dermatitis. I was given ointment after ointment to relieve it but nothing worked. Two of the prescriptions were Propylene glycol based! (oops...) After 2 years of fighting this, I began to wake up with stiff joints in my hands. I couldn't even make a fist. I decided it was time to get some real answers. I found a new dermatologist and she took one look at my hands and said, "You have psoriasis and from the sound of it, psoriatic arthritis, too. We will get you on a new biologic called Tremfya and see how it goes."

After a month of hoop jumping, I was able to convince my insurance that I need this treatment and found a help program to pay the $2000 copay per shot every 2 months. I've since gotten my first shot and am 2 weeks out from getting the second. It could take up to 4 months to see results but I am hopeful.

In the mean time, you can understand why I am not making corsets at the moment. It hurts. A lot. Corsets take a lot of stamina and hand strength I just don't have. I found that all sewing is more stressful on my hands than my wood working. For all of you waiting on special orders, thank you for your patience. I will hopefully be up and running full strength soon and taking on more special orders and shows! #karendeguirecreations #psoriasissucks #psoriasis #psoriaticarthritis #allergies #artisthands #brokenhands