What’s your experience been living with psoriasis?
I was diagnosed at 16 when I was still living in the Philippines. I don’t really complain much so I thought I just had a bad rash and dandruff. I think my nanny noticed it getting worse and worse but I never thought to complain. I just wore jackets all the time and retreated into myself; not great when you’re smack in the middle of puberty and studying in an exclusive all-girls catholic school.
One night, my mom came into my bedroom and started looking under my clothes. I remember the horror in her voice but I pretended to be asleep all throughout. It was very traumatic hearing panic in your mom’s voice, I will never forget it. Anyway, we have extended family who are doctors and they helped me connect with a dermatologist. A biopsy was done and it was confirmed that I had psoriasis—we’ve never heard of this until then. Treatment options were very scarce. I had to take methotrexate for 9 years. This really just changed when I moved to the US (2016) and a whole plethora of treatment options were presented to me.
Right now, I’m using Cimzia because I’m breastfeeding. My psoriasis is still present but it’s never gone back to how it was before. I find comfort in the fact that there are more things to try here than back home and I’m not locked into just taking horrible medications every weekend. Over the years though, I’ve become more comfortable with myself and have grown to love and accept the skin I’m in.
How does having psoriasis affect your everyday life?
Although it has gotten better over the years, I’m definitely more conscious about my appearance and my clothing choice. I can’t just pick a dress from the rack without thinking about which part of my body will be seen.