Out of the blue I was diagnosed with psoriasis in 1997 and later developed psoriatic arthritis. I had never heard of psoriasis and didn’t know anyone with it. We didn’t have google back then and found there was little information & support.

Both can be chronic conditions and debilitating. I suffered for eighteen long years and often felt like I was on a roller coaster. It affected the skin on my hands, knees, elbows and other areas including my scalp. My joints were often very painful and I gained weight due to that and some of the medications I had been prescribed.

At my worst, I was prescribed methotrexate (a chemotherapy agent & immune suppressant) which I thought long and hard about because of the possible side effects but as my quality of life was not good and my mental health had been suffering, I decided to go ahead. Unfortunately, it was harsh and failed to work and l suffered side effects including hair thinning. I was left feeling the lowest I had ever felt. It’s fair to say that at this point in my life my ongoing health issues were taking their toll and I was suffering with anxiety and depression.

Life was pretty much a treadmill, I worked long hours and it was stressful at times. I had no flexibility and certainly no time for myself. My life revolved around work and taking care of my family.

After being particularly unwell we booked a last minute to get some sunshine and take timeout. On that holiday I met a lady as a result of our children playing together. She noticed my psoriasis and we chatted about all the medications and treatments I had tried over the years, and she asked me if I had ever tried aloe vera. I was desperate but sceptical having had so many treatments stop working and so many disappointments over the years.

When we returned home the lady I had met kindly sent me some of her products as a gift.
I started using the products and within a few weeks saw an incredible improvement in my skin, hair and joints.
Family and friends were noticing the differences soon and I was feeling so much better it encouraged me to carry on.

I was hiding my arms and elbows less and starting to get more active.
I had stopped all medication and wanted to see how my journey would continue using only Forever Living aloe Vera drink and a number of their products topically.

Within three months I was almost clear of psoriasis, by six months I was feeling much better and had decided to start the c25k program with a friend.
I was losing weight and was feeling the benefits of being more active.

We completed the 9-week program and went on to do a 5k and 10k event followed by the Cardiff half marathon.

My transformation

Seven years on, living through a pandemic - my skin is still free of psoriasis. Now in my late forties, I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been with a metabolic age of 29. Maintaining good gut health, reducing inflammation, physical activity and time in the outdoors have helped me to remain in remission. I am often found hiking in the Brecon Beacons with my dogs or paddle boarding in some beautiful locations. Life is very different now and I am grateful to have found what worked for me.

Contact me if you have any questions about the products I used or if you have any questions I can help with.

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Thankfully today there is much more information and support available than there was in 1997 and the Psoriasis Association has many resources available.

Links below to my articles on the Psoriasis Association Website where you will find many useful resources.