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Fluffy

Psoriasis & Autism

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I have autism and severe plaque psoriasis and don't dismiss a possible connection between the two conditions, especially given that both have been widely linked to abnormalities in the immune system by scientists. So it would be interesting to know if you or anyone you know have psoriasis and autism and have found medication that has significantly lessened the psoriasis long-term? I'm also keen to hear from adults & adolescents on the autism spectrum about how you cope with the psoriasis.

 

I've had psoriasis as long as I can remember and tried numerous treatments, including UV light and various steroid creams, with little or just temporal positive results. The medication side effects, lack of long-term improvement and lack of progress in medication has just made me unhopeful anything will ever work and so haven't tried anything prescribed by a GP for a long time. My psoriasis has worsened with time and it now covers all my body, including my face, clearly visible to anyone. It can be a very emotionally debilitating condition, but I think my autism actually helps in this respect because I'm able to ignore it and don't expose myself to the same social pressures an NT probably experiences. Though I am suffering from depression and insomnia and have been for a long time, typically because of my poor social skills - I wonder if this is aggravating the psoriasis? Are you in a similar situation?

Edited by Fluffy

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Hi

 

I'm NT and have psoriasis. My understanding is that certain foods (spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc) and stress can trigger the condition or it can worsen. Certainly, I've found that to be the case.

 

Caroline.

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Hi

 

I'm NT and have psoriasis. My understanding is that certain foods (spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc) and stress can trigger the condition or it can worsen. Certainly, I've found that to be the case.

 

Caroline.

 

Hello Caroline,

 

I'm aware that for some people that diet and restricting certain foods can reduce symptoms, unfortunately I don't think I'm one of them. I tried the popular 'Pagano' diet. This diet is very food restrictive, promoting alkaline foods and blaming acidic foods such as those you've mentioned. It didn't work but I'm willing to try a diet approach again, but not Pagano.

 

What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for others when it comes to psoriasis, as we all know. But I suspect there's a common cause and cure/treatment for those of us on the spectrum.

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I am also NT and have have had chronic psoriasis for many years now. I have had all of the treatments, steroid creams, uv light and now take medication as I have had my limit of UV light treatment. It is called ciclosporin and seems to be very effective, although you need regular blood tests. I am NT but several family members think I have traits of AS.

I have no idea either way about any link.

My son is 12 yrs and is definately on the spectrum, albeit very high functioning and he has no signs of psoriasis thankfully. I

 

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I am also NT and have have had chronic psoriasis for many years now. I have had all of the treatments, steroid creams, uv light and now take medication as I have had my limit of UV light treatment. It is called ciclosporin and seems to be very effective, although you need regular blood tests. I am NT but several family members think I have traits of AS.

I have no idea either way about any link.

My son is 12 yrs and is definately on the spectrum, albeit very high functioning and he has no signs of psoriasis thankfully. I

 

Hi Daniels-mum,

 

I know of Ciclosporin and other immunosuppressants. I'm eligible for these costly treatments from the NHS but unwilling to taken them up because of the side effects, which unlike other treatments are more likely to occur and more severe. Given that I have autism it makes me even more worried that I'm taking a drug that is essentially weakening my immune system. DM - have you experienced any bad side effects? has it had any affect on your social skills/personality?

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Hi Fluffy.

 

I have been on ciclosporin a while now and touchwood have not had any serious side effects. They do monitor you closely and are pretty good at picking anything up, in which case they would stop you immediately. I find the hardest things is remembering to take them twice a day, another thing is that when you do stop them your psoriasis can flare up very quickly. I think my Consultant wants me to change to methotraxate next time as the last blood test showed I seem to have developed high cholestral, I am not sure if high blood cholestral is a side effect or just a conicidence. She also said that ciclosporin shouldnt really be taken long term without a break and methotraxte will probably be better for me, you only need to take it once a week which is good, the bad side is that you cant drink alcohol :crying:

 

You are right to think carefully as they are very strong drugs, but speaking only from personal experience I have found it has really helped my skin.

 

It is hard to say about social skills, as I am have always found maintaing friendships very difficult so this is nothing new. I don't have an ASD but my mum, sister and OH have all said they think I have traits.

Edited by daniels-mum

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stress,anxiety depression can make a skin condition you have increase and worsen over a long period of time ...... where you get worked up,anxious over certain things physically begins to show through your body system

 

XKLX

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My DH has psoriasis and is on his third anti-tnf treatment (infliximab, having tried both enbrel & humira), having also used up his UV quota, and tried sulphasalasine, ciclo, mtx, and pretty much eveery other medication out there. not to mention the steroids and topicals :rolleyes: Most work for a while then either start to kill him or cease being effective :tearful:

 

DH also has diabetes - another autoimmune disease. I do not believe there is any link between DH's auto-immune diseases and DS's neurological conditions. The ASD quite definitely comes from my side of the family and there are no auto-immune issues there. DS was born with his ASD whereas autoimmune diseases are "triggered" by something in the environment.

 

Although there is some anecdotal evidence that more people with ASD traits also have auto-immune issues/dietry problems etc than in the NT population, there does not seem to be a corresponding higher incidence of ASD traits in those with Psoriasis or other auto-immune health issues. 3% of the world population have psoriasis to one degree or another, so it is not that uncommon.

 

Psoriasis Help Forum UK

Edited by KezT

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After a recent check up with my dermatologist I was advised to choose one of the following recommended treatments:

 

1. cyclosporine

2. methotrexate

3. Acitretin (trade name Neotigason)

 

Anyone here try any one of these treatments? What were your experiences?

Particularly interested to know if you have autism and experienced any serious side effects.

 

Right now I'm not sure if I want to go ahead...

 

Thanks

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After a recent check up with my dermatologist I was advised to choose one of the following recommended treatments:

 

1. cyclosporine

2. methotrexate

3. Acitretin (trade name Neotigason)

 

Anyone here try any one of these treatments? What were your experiences?

Particularly interested to know if you have autism and experienced any serious side effects.

 

Right now I'm not sure if I want to go ahead...

 

Thanks

 

They all have side effects that affect people to a lesser or greater degree. My OH has tried all three over the years. He's back on a low dose MTX atm, alongside the infliximab. MTX makes him feel very sick for a day or two. When he was on a full MTX dose it started killing his liver :crying: However, I know some poe-le have used it sucessfully for years. I can't remember specifics about the other two, other than he had to come off them :whistle: I strongly recommend you look on a specialised Psoriasis forum such as in my ink above for detailed info

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KezT, I've been on that Psoriasis forum in the past and it is helpful.

 

My biggest fear is using one of these immuno-suppresant drugs and then my autism symptoms get worse.

 

I've been researching these drugs like mad and so far I think the risks outweigh the reward, despite my severe psoriasis.

 

I'm inclined towards alternative treatments, like those suggested in the psoriasis-help alternative forum. I had a brief attempt at BJ's vit d treatment without much luck. I'm thinking seriously about doing a "raw food" diet.

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KezT, I've been on that Psoriasis forum in the past and it is helpful.

 

My biggest fear is using one of these immuno-suppresant drugs and then my autism symptoms get worse.

 

I've been researching these drugs like mad and so far I think the risks outweigh the reward, despite my severe psoriasis.

 

I'm inclined towards alternative treatments, like those suggested in the psoriasis-help alternative forum. I had a brief attempt at BJ's vit d treatment without much luck. I'm thinking seriously about doing a "raw food" diet.

 

AFAIK, immno-suppresents shouldn't have a neurological effect - although the risks of taking them shouldn't be taken lightly either - you're seriously mucking around with your body if you go on any of them! The risk/benefit has to be indivivual to each person and take into account the severity of their Psoriases, the disabling effect it has on their life, their general lifestyle (IIRC you can't take Ciclo if there is any possiblity of getting pregnant),etc etc..... I assume you have been through all the topical and non-invasive treatments already?

 

In my experiance, alternantive therapies rarely have much impact on severe psoriases -if you read carefuly all the good stories come from people who had a small patch on their left elbow once :rolleyes: althuogh things like acupuncture/massage certainly help with stress levels, which can help a little wih the P (and the ASD). Light treatment works for most people - have you had your quota of that?

 

Do you have a specialist ASD doctor? If so they sould be involved in a case conference with your Derm before deciding on any treatment regime.

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AFAIK, immno-suppresents shouldn't have a neurological effect - although the risks of taking them shouldn't be taken lightly either - you're seriously mucking around with your body if you go on any of them! The risk/benefit has to be indivivual to each person and take into account the severity of their Psoriases, the disabling effect it has on their life, their general lifestyle (IIRC you can't take Ciclo if there is any possiblity of getting pregnant),etc etc..... I assume you have been through all the topical and non-invasive treatments already?

 

In my experiance, alternantive therapies rarely have much impact on severe psoriases -if you read carefuly all the good stories come from people who had a small patch on their left elbow once :rolleyes: althuogh things like acupuncture/massage certainly help with stress levels, which can help a little wih the P (and the ASD). Light treatment works for most people - have you had your quota of that?

 

Do you have a specialist ASD doctor? If so they sould be involved in a case conference with your Derm before deciding on any treatment regime.

 

KezT,

 

Actually, there are many cases where immuno-suppressants (the ones mentioned above) have been shown to have an adverse neurological effect. See here and here. These treatments are continually being researched - who knows maybe 10yrs from now they'll discover another serious side-effect.

 

I've noticed that there are more than a few people on the alternative forum with severe psoriasis who have seen improvements. There are a few before and after pics which I've seen and give me hope. My alternative approach will be to go on a raw food diet and committing to it for several months; if there is no improvement to my psoriasis I may reconsider the traditional treatments.

 

I don't have an ASD doctor....and, besides, what could an "ASD specialist" object to given that science knows very little about autism and what aggravates core symptoms?

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