Living with Psoriasis: My Story, Struggles, and Treatments
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Hi, my name is Victoria, and I live with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I wanted to share my story here to help anyone else who feels overwhelmed, confused, or hopeless while navigating this chronic skin condition.
Finding psoriasis treatments that actually work can feel discouraging, and the internet is full of half-answers. In this post, I’ll share my full journey - my diagnosis, the treatments I’ve tried, the role of stress in flare-ups, and my experience joining psoriasis medical trials in California.
Please note: This is my personal experience and not meant as medical advice. Always consult with a board-certified dermatologist about your own treatment plan.
What You’ll Find in This Post
What is Psoriasis? – A quick definition
My Psoriasis Timeline & Diagnosis
Treatments I’ve Tried (and which ones worked temporarily)
How Stress Affects Psoriasis
My Experience with Psoriasis Clinical Trials
Where I’m at Now
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes itchy, dry patches of skin covered with silvery scales. It’s genetic, unpredictable, and has no cure.
I specifically have plaque psoriasis (the most common form, characterized by scaly patches) and psoriatic arthritis, which causes painful inflammation in my joints.
Flare-ups can be triggered by stress, cold/dry weather, alcohol, or other factors - but the truth is, doctors don’t always agree on exact causes. This has been my frustrating reality: expensive medications, trial-and-error treatments, and many unanswered questions.
My Psoriasis Timeline & Diagnosis
My journey started in 2010, while I was in community college. Doctors suspected insulin resistance (linked to PCOS), and while my test results were still “normal,” I was put on thyroid medication and metformin.
During this time, I also developed skin issues and joint pain. After multiple visits, I was diagnosed with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis Treatments I’ve Tried
When my psoriasis was at its worst, it spread from my scalp down to my forehead. I also needed multiple steroid shots for joint pain. Treatments gave me temporary relief but never lasted.
Something important I learned: if you stick with one treatment too long, psoriasis can become resistant to it.
Treatments that gave me short-term relief:
Fluocinonide Topical Solution (for scalp)
Fluocinonide Cream (for skin)
Triamcinolone Acetonide
Flurandrenolide Cream
Treatments that failed long-term:
Steroid shots
Ketoconazole shampoo & gel
Calcitriol Ointment
Hydrocortisone valerate cream
Derma-cleanse
T/Gel Shampoo
Salicylic acid scalp treatments
Psoriasis on My Face
By 2013, my psoriasis came back worse than ever. This time, plaques spread across my:
Forehead
Neck
Elbows
Breasts
Back and butt
I tried dermatologist after dermatologist, more creams, pills, and injections but nothing worked consistently.
Stress & Psoriasis Flare-Ups
Looking back, it’s clear that stress was a major trigger for my flare-ups.
My psoriasis was at its absolute worst in 2014–2015 during a stressful and unhealthy relationship. While every body is different, stress remains one of the most common psoriasis triggers.
Joining Psoriasis Medical Trials in California
In the middle of that time, I discovered the California Dermatology and Clinical Research Institute, which was running psoriasis clinical trials.
Why I joined:
To access new treatments at little or no cost
To reduce disappointment when things didn’t work (at least I was compensated for my time)
To feel like I was contributing to future breakthroughs
Before clinical trials, one dermatologist once charged me just $50 for multiple injections because he felt bad - that’s how expensive treatment can get. So, trials were a lifeline.
My Experience with Clinical Trials
Since 2014, I’ve participated in 3–4 clinical trials for psoriasis. Most treatments didn’t fully clear my plaques, but a few offered temporary relief.
The hardest part: between trials, my skin had to get bad again before I could be admitted to the next one. This cycle was exhausting, both physically and mentally.
As of November 2020, I’ve been in the best trial so far, though my plaques are slowly returning.
Where I’m at Now
Unfortunately, there isn’t a neat “happy ending.” I still live with:
Chronic joint pain
Plaques that come and go
Ongoing trial-and-error with treatments
But here’s the truth: you are not alone. Psoriasis is frustrating, painful, and emotionally draining - but it doesn’t define us.
I’ll continue to share updates about my skin and treatments here on the blog and on Instagram and Facebook.
Want More Psoriasis Tips? Keep Reading:
Check out more helpful posts to support your psoriasis journey:
Psoriasis Tips You’ve Never Heard Before
Dry Skin Care Products You Need This Winter
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Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, I want you to know:
It’s not your fault.
It’s not easy.
There is no quick fix.
But there is hope in community, research, and resilience.
Keep going. You are stronger, braver, and more beautiful than your struggles.