Psoriasis getting better and worse at the same time?

[Vian]

AIP for 7.5 weeks. I've had psoriasis ONLY on the tops of my feet/ankles for about 5-7 years, don't really remember how long. Since it first appeared, it has slowly, steadily spread. It's rarely itchy or painful and I can usually ignore it, but last year after I went paleo, it started getting way worse, way faster. It more than trippled in area in the last 9 months (from nickle and quarter sized patches to silver dollar and a 3x5" area, plus a new nickle sized spot by my Achilles tendon. It was getting worse at a frightening rate, so I decided to jump into AIP. At first it kept getting worse, even faster than it had been before, but the last few weeks, it seems to have calmed down. I started rubbing a homeopathic ointment on it called Puremedy Eczema and Psoriasis Free on it 3x a day and that seems to keep the scabs and flaky-ness down. However, while the inflammation is down (instead of being raised like welts, the areas are almost completely flat and it's much less red) and the scabs are healing, I'm still seeing the area spreading, albeit slowly. Patches that used to be separate but nearby seem to be slowly merging. 

I don't understand how it can get better in terms of inflammation, but still be spreading in terms of area?

For diet, I eat about 2 cups of veggies with each meal, organic as much as possible and I peel everything (veg I always have in my fridge are cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, jicama, leeks, onions, zucchini and yellow squash, kale, spinach, lettuce, avocados, celery and celeriac). I don't really have access to and can't really afford grass fed/organic meats right now (have a down payment on a side of grass fed organic local beef and a whole lamb, but won't see those until September) I eat about 5-8 ounces of meat per meal, depending on how hungry I am, and make sure I have plenty of fat, either grass fed rendered tallow (I had a 1/4 cow last year and had them include suet that I rendered right before starting AIP) avocado oil, avocado, olives, coconut milk or coconut oil. 

I do eat starchy veggies like winter squash and sweet potato, and some fruit (mostly berries and melons, occasionally peaches and bananas). 

I don't eat organ meat currently (still trying to figure out how to make it palatable) 

Supplements:
Nordic Naturals ProOmega
600mg Magnesium Glycinate
2-5 thousand IU Vitamin D3 (liquid drops in olive oil)
Thorne Basic B Complex
25,000 IU Vitamin A (3 times a week)
Seriphos in the evening to help with adrenal fatigue
I drink 16 oz. home-brewed kombucha daily and occasionally eat a few bites bubbies sauerkraut (could yeast be an issue?)

I don't eat ANY:
Nuts or seeds (or seed-based spices)
nightshades (or nightshade spices)
eggs
grains (of any kind, period)
tapioca (in any form)
dairy
legumes (not even green beans or snap peas)

For the past 7.5 weeks, I've been cooking every meal myself, using only garlic, leafy herbs, ceylon cinnamon, mace, cloves, and fancy salts (Himalayan, smoked, vanilla flavored, and gray sea salt. None with seed or nightshade spices added) for seasonings. I eat chicken, beef, lamb, and seafood when I can (love salmon and shrimp) and a variety of veggies. I've never had any sort of obvious allergic reaction to any food ever (no hives, anaphalaxys, swelling, difficulty breathing, or skin eruptions other than the chronic psoriasis) I have had burning rashes in response to cleaning products and certain lotions in the past though.

I am non-celiac gluten sensitive (feel like I am getting a head cold within 30 minutes of eating gluten or even something cross contaminated with it) but no noticeable digestive issues. Digestion is pretty normal, regular, good texture and consistency of BM's (get a little diarrhea during period) I average once or twice a day.

I use a gluten, soy, and chemical free shampoo and conditioner, oil cleansing on my face, no body wash, and a fragrance-free salt spray deoderant. I use rose water if I want to smell nice. I do however still use Ajax dish soap, and I use the costco eco laundry detergent. I should also mention that I had the psoriasis long before using any of these products.

My sleep has been crap for a few months now, working on it. I tend to sleep great for about 4-5 hours, then wake up to pee, or just start tossing and turning and sleeping intermittently for the next 3-4 hours). I also have anxiety (which has gotten markedly better in the last 2 months after I got a diagnosis of my heart palpitations and learned they were harmless).

I'm also taking hormonal birth control. I did some research and found one that is lactose free and just started on it a few days ago after going 5 weeks without hormonal BC. I have to be on it for the simple fact that I have really bad anxiety about getting pregnant (even if I'm not sexually active). I didn't see any major improvement in the psoriasis in the 5 weeks I was off BC, and in the 5 days I've been back on it, haven't seen it get worse either.

Any ideas on what I could tweak? or should I just give it more time? Thanks!

[mariab]

Hi! I too have psoriasis and have had it for a long time. I also have psoriatic arthritis and lymes disease but had the skin stuff first since I was around 12. Been AIP since February - very similar to your list. What I have found recently through my Naturopath is that some psoriasis cases can relate to fatty acid metabolism - I actually cut down on the fats that I was eating recently (was eating a lot of fat like you) and added in more coconut oil in place of other fats. Coconut oil is MCT (med chain triglyceride) and is absorbed differently by the body than olive oil, avoc, tallow, etc. This has helped my skin in the past few weeks. I opt for leaner cuts of fish and meat and add the coconut oil in wherever I can ( a lot of places ). I'd give it a try.

I use Tea tree oil diluted in water as wash for skin / face and the shea moisture ' no poo ' shampoo. I also have a Solarc light box that I purchased in case of flare ups that I try not to use too much but do use it occasionally. If I were you I'd also get off the hormonal birth control asap and give it at least 4 months to see if it changes anything. I had a copper IUD for a long time (which was non hormonal) and when that was removed it made a huge difference in my joint pain.

Best,

Maria

[Vian]

Not going to stop the birth control. I had the psoriasis before I started BC, and it didn't change much while I was taking it. I don't have any negative side effects from the BC itself either. I don't think it's really a factor in my psoriasis and I get really bad anxiety about getting pregnant if I'm not on it.

[victoriap]

I have about the same story as you except no periods or birth control and my psoriasis sounds much worse. I even was losing my nails. I use mostly only coconut oil with a bit of olive oil occassionlly. I am down to almost no chemical products except for hand soap and dish liquid. I started in February with lowcarb and added in flax meal, Spirutein shakes and Green Vibrance powder....my nails began to improve right away (they look fairly normal now...yeah!). I began changing to paleo and on March 8th went full AIP. So I have finished 9 weeks of AIP. That means I had to cut out the flax, Spiritein and Green Vibrance. I'm not sure that my nails look as good as they did since I cut those out. I drink kombucha and bone broth. I also take D3 and i just began turmeric pills. I have developed a couple of new small patches on the back of my neck. My ears are better but not clear. But as for the rest of the body it is about the same. Sometimes I think there is a tiny bit of improvement but not enough that I can be sure. Sigh....it is discouraging. But like you said some improvement and some worsening. I am also getting some sun....tho maybe not enough due to weather and how do you do that in the winter?

I have lost 30 pounds!!! Woot! Lots more to go. And most of the heartburn is gone.....the chicken liver still gives me heartburn.

I am sticking with it as i have seen those bits of improvement and I need more weightloss. I am slowly adding in more exercise....that has been really hard for me to do. I am encouraged that I have no cravings with this way of eating.

I believe the skin is hard and slow to clear up.....not sure why. I have tried fasting in the past and had some luck with the skin, but I don't think Sarah recommends fasting......I could be wrong about that.

But good luck to you....our stories sound so similar....I am interested in your progress.

[leagrovesgirl]

amazing how similar stories can be. I've had psoriasis for 24 years now. Every time I was pregnant or breast feeding it would go away. I tried conventional meds but that was harming my liver. I went gluten and dairy free with low sugar 2.5 years ago and saw a marked improvement. My arms are completely free but for elbows my upper back is free and my upper legs are free but I have had no progress in the last year so decided to try AIP have been faithful since January (even doing beef heart). Since doing this the lower leg spots are breaking up but I have 2 new small spots on my upper leg and 1 on my arm. How can some start to clear but others start? I only use coconut on my skin. and havent changed anything but my diet.