What I’ve been itching to know about Psoriasis.  This blog is written by my friend Howard Chang.  Psoriasis happens to be very costly and time consuming.  Between lost wages from time off and appling medications this disease can wreck the most discipline persons routine.  It’s important as a patient to be your own advocate to preserve what you worked all your life to accomplish.   You have to be aggressive with your treatment options.  Unfortunately doctors are not familiar with all the woes of our disease.  Unless they are specialists they rarely know what psoriasis patients endure on a daily basis.  In their defense they see patients with over several thousand conditions.  Psoriasis is an auto immune disease so it’s been classified wrong all along.  Yes the symptoms show up on the skin, but it’s affecting internal organs and joints as well.  It’s only been recent that this has been shown in a sophisticated magnetic image.  Howard is a good friend of mine and has brought out some very fine bullet points that we should all be aware of as psoriatic’s.   In my summary it’s your job as a patient to educate yourself and become familiar with treatments.  Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis will alter the lifestyle your use too.  Fortunately, we now have amazing new medications that scientists developed that will eradicate the devastating effects if left untreated.   We are in exciting times with new developments on there way.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/howard-chang-the-itch-to-beat-psoriasis/what-i-wish-my-doctor-knew-about-my-psoriasis/

Some of the severe side effects of Cosentyx include:
Many suffer with feelings of joy and happiness.  Sometimes elated feeling encourage you to participate in life.  Beware of wanting to jump in the jacuzzi and swimming in a crowded pool.  Some Cosentyx users actually reported exercising and losing weight.   Experiences also include in rare instances a new wardrobe due to previous condition.  Consult your dance instructor before taking Cosentyx.  The Sudden Urge To Sing outloud could effect your neighbors ears.  Playing with your children due to increased range of motion is very common if this should happen fire your Rheumatologist.
http://www.facebook.com/psowhat

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The psoriasis community is full of wonderful people.  I’m thankful I’m able to meet them.  Recently I was interviewed by a fellow blogger.  These were the questions she asked.

http://www.beingmeinmyownskin.com/psoriasis-psuperhero/psoriasis-psuperhero-todd-bello-2/

I often find myself thinking about psoriasis 24/7.  This disease consumes me.  Mainly because I’m constantly reminded by either the way I feel or look.  Recently I’m having success with this new medication.  So I’m happy to say I can live and enjoy life the way it was suppose to be.

New York is an amazing city.  I live so close and I never take advantage of visiting.   As you can see I’m wearing a short sleeve shirt and no baseball cap.  It’s nice to be able to walk around in my new skin.  Free at last, feels so good.

Although we sat traffic most of the way home, it was a perfect opportunity for me to educate someone else about my disease.   Little did he know what he was in for.  Johnny Apple Pseed.  Anyway he survived and we remain in contact.

Why this picture I bet your wondering?  The title of this blog is Outside of Psoriasis.   Because I’m clear with my new medication I was able to enjoy this elaborate car show.  Walking around talking to people and fitting in.  There is a huge difference the way you are received in public without the visible red scaly plaques on your face and arms.

The Corvette is probably one of the nicest cars in the show.  You can have all the rest, this is the car I want.  Even the Mustang is a show winner for me.  

Perhaps you like it in yellow.  The thing is I know I would of owned anyone of these cars if I wasn’t diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 28.  I had three businesses by that time and I was dreamer.  I’m getting my second wind.

The steak and service was outstanding.  Trust me you pay it.  It’s a happy meal until you get the bill.  The car show was the perfect summer blast off.  People were partying and everything was going great until this.  

Apparently my new phone is getting in the way of someone’s beauty sleep.   This is what I do, social media is my new xbox.  In conclusion, there is life outside of psoriasis.   Get fixed up and start enjoying life again.  Thank you Novartis!

“DON’T WAIT FOR YOUR SHIP TO COME IN, SWIM OUT TO IT.” I often would read this qoute on the wall of my former business.  Many affirmations have an insiping message.  How do we apply them to our own lives?  For some it may be sending out your resume, others it may be buying an investment property.   Whatever it is, they should be goal oriented.   Each day make it your mission to achieve your goal.

For instance, let’s use weight loss for an example.  Many of us want to lose weight.   The reasons have to just in order to achieve your goal.  Why is it do you want to lose weight, health reasons, or the beach body you always wanted?  It could be you want to fit into a smaller dress size or to be able to run a marathon.   For whatever the reason, make it your Goal.  Break it down from there.  Your goal should be divided into missions.   Daily, monthly, quaterly, and yearly.  Your goal is more obtainable this way.  But that’s just the potatoes of the formula you need the meat. Like support groups and meal plans and perhaps an exercise routine.  Sound perplexed, it’s not just Do It, like Nike suggests.  Sometimes getting started first then putting these suggestions in place works just the same.

Daily activities should be enjoyable. Walking is probably the best activity one can use to lose weight. It’s simple and can be done anywhere.  I love it. Who doesn’t enjoy a nice inspiring walk. Walking is low impact and is a great way to start cause it requires no membership.  Walk alone or invite a friend.  JUST DO IT.

Volunteer for a 5k for a good cause.  I believe in paying it forward for the greater good.  Form a team and make it happen. Encourage others to participate by social media posts.  Get people off their couch and moving again.  Be their inspiration. 

Make it your passion so your mission is defined. Surround yourself with positive like minded individuals.   Your goals will be yours within the allotted time.  Join a support group most of all keep it fun.  Life is short don’t sweat the small stuff.  

The world is your oyster, make it your own! I would like to thank those people who inspire me including the people seen in the photographs.  The National Psoriasis Foundation  (www.psoriasis.org ) Ron Villano (www.RonVillano.Com) author of the ZING, my lovely family.  And most of all my Lord and Saviour, through him all things are possible. 

This Sunday at the Beautiful Botanical Gardens in the Bronx we are having our Annual 5k Walk.  As you can see from the picture above the trees and flowers started to bloom.  Each year we walk to raise awareness about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.   We also want to end the common misconception that psoriasis is contagious and that it is just a skin condition

This year our goal is to raise 165k total from all the teams and individuals.   My daughter, Jackie and I formed a team called Pso Not Contagious.   The “P” is silent like with many psoriasis patients who suffer in silence.   We often isolate ourselves and stay hidden from society and often feel embarrassed and ashamed.

Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease that is very difficult to treat.  It affects 7.5 million Americans.  It is often disabling due to its painful red, flakey, irritable patches.  Often people with psoriasis also develope psoriatic arthritis.   If left untreated it can have irreversible effects.  In my Facebook group Overcoming Psoriasis we openly discuss options and fill the gap between doctor and patient.

My wife and I love attending these events.  I get so emotional seeing the crowds of people supporting our cause.  My daughter and her boyfriend also participate.   This year I hope to take many more pictures so those of you who can’t make it can see what a lovely day we share.  Much work is done preparing our Walk.  None of this would be possible without the help from DM Daryl Woolsey.   

I hoping this blog inspires you to form a team.  It’s not to late.  I’m already thinking about next year.  If you would like to join my team you can email me at tvsoccerdad@yahoo.com or call me on my cell   631-487-5857 If you need more information about walks and Bike rides in your area contact http://www.psoriasis.org