beautiful pics hands and feet

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857297 · In reply to 1857296 by KeryAnne
• November 24, 2010 at 12:53 am
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

OK, so derm today as previosly posted. Was not expecting a student to come in after the "nurse/aid" and ask me his own questions. He politely asked permission, and I obliged, showing him my hands. But nervously asked if the doc was here today! Doc came in after with 2 of his colleuges. Now I have 4 of them, with nurse included, and man, did I feel like the freak show! Got over it quick and actually grateful, cuz now I had more experience right there in the room with me.
the docs all agreed with my original derm's diagnosis...palmoplantar pustulosis. Asked if I would be needing the biopsy as he mentioned last visit. All agreed, no, due to history,and just simply by what they were seeing. Telling you all, I was glad to hear that cuz NOT crazy about any cutting going on with my already tender and sore hands/ feet. My derm said the worsened feet were actually part of a sure diagnosis.
Great convo...lots of questions asked and answered ( I had NOTES mind you) and biggest question of all was, " do you have other patients with this diagnosis? Are they any better? Is there any hope for me?"

Happy to hear the answer was yes to all three. Shot of Kenelog steroid, and cyclosporin to follow up. Bloodwork in 2 weeks. Back to temovate as topical with hopes it wiil have better effects working in conjunction with these steroids.
He explained insurance wants to see at least a trial with these types of treatment before approving, say, Humira, but assured me we will take all steps until I get some relief. Must be patient, and " try to limit use of hands and feet." He actually said this with grin, understanding how ridiculous it sounds. Oh, what I have taken for granted!!!!
Here's good news...the site of shot in arm actually hurting worse than my hands or feet right now! (baby, that's got to mental, cuz these appendages are not pretty!)

Side-note...have told no one else this info, cept husband basic details. SOOO grateful for this forum, cuz it gives me chance to just get it all out with ppl who can RELATE!! Not to mention a wealth of info that impressed those docs today! Fingers crossed, for myself and all. :)

• By npf-492 (Inactive)
• Reply 1857298 · In reply to 1857297 by KeryAnne
• November 24, 2010 at 1:31 am
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** Originally posted by DEBAK **

so glad you had a great experience at the DR.s and no biopsy needed. I had multiple kenalog injections into the lesions on the bottom of my feet...yes it smarted but was so worth it as it finally cleared them up. Were you at a university type derm clinic to have gotten so many in the room at the same time? Having hope at long last should make for a Happier Thanksgiving for you! :)

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857299 · In reply to 1857298 by npf-492
• November 25, 2010 at 4:07 am
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

Thanks, Debak, I was sooo glad too. Was just a reg derm office, but as they have multiple partner locations, i happened upon a day when all were in this office. Felt a little hectic, and more than embarassing, but as I said, once over the initial surprise, it turned out well.
Asked about Kenelog shots, and he pointed out that I had no ONE lesion on any of the 4 appendages that seemed worse than others. Just an overalll "pus case" I guess! Anyway, explained these shots would be used for a chronic spot, and as you said, would not feel all that great to have.
Just happy for another day of no new blister signs. This flaking I can take, and at least I can now make a grip of my palms w/o pain since the shot.
Please tell me you are doing well, and be sure to have a great bird day!
I will be counting my blessings, and not my pustules or lesions!!! -KA

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857300 · In reply to 1857299 by KeryAnne
• December 1, 2010 at 1:06 am
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

Ok, so it's been a week and man!!!!! I am sooo happy for this relief!
I will try to post some pics this week, but trust me, the difference is amazing. Mind, I still look like a possible burn victim on palms, but no blisters, no ridiculous peeling, and and and!!!! I can grip my palms without notice! (there's something easily taken for granted.)

No pain, no burn, no bleeding. Soles of feet look great too.
Still leather like feeling if I rub these areas, but hey, I can rub them without flinching!!! I'll take this redness, which has faded remarkably, and did so within just 2 days.

Continuing with temovate topical and cyclosporin oral....blood work next week. I am knocking on ANY wood I come across, truthfully afraid it won't last. In fact, preparing myself that it will return, but sooooo glad for this relief as of NOW!

Goodbye little white gloves!!! This girl is waving and smiling, even working pain-free!!!!!!

• By npf-10510 (Inactive)
• Reply 1857301 · In reply to 1857300 by KeryAnne
• December 1, 2010 at 2:18 pm
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** Originally posted by accessn12 **

May I applaud you? I think I know the excitement that you're feeling. Sheer, utter relief at last. It's wonderful to be walking on a cloud, ain't it? I'm hoping to stay on my cloud for a while. :)

I tried several of the topicals, including the Donovex but I found the quickest relief for severe flares with Tazorac cream. It felt almost like cheating cause it would dry up the pustules quickly and shed the skin in a couple days time and then I could switch back to something more soothing. It was originally developed for fast relief of acne and a skin peel for wrinkles and believe me, it will peel the skin but really, it didn't hurt any worse than they already did. It just made the whole process go so much quicker. Luckily my doc was game and I got some relief with it for almost a year using it once or twice a week unless I did something stupid like driving. I still had to be careful cause it was still easy to set off a flare but at least I didn't have to explain my hands so often.

I also used to go the white gloves to hide it but I'd cut the fingers off and toss em into a pot of boiling tea so they wouldn't be so obvious and buy shirts with sleeves that come down to the knuckles to partially hide the gloves. That didn't go over real well at airport security but after a quick peek, they did allow me to keep them on.

I wish you the best of luck and continued success. I'm waving back!

• By richj
• Reply 1857302 · In reply to 1857301 by npf-10510
• December 4, 2010 at 5:13 am
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** Originally posted by RichJ **

hi kery anne,
that's great news my friend:) and i hope your hands and feet keep getting better. i wish you the best

have a good weekend all

richard

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857303 · In reply to 1857302 by richj
• December 5, 2010 at 8:04 pm
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

Thanks guys!
....still doing well, in fact my skin is almost back to normal color.
Attended a Christmas party this w.e. WITHOUT gloves! Bought myself a new ring and wore it proudly cuz I can!

Thanks for the info Accessn....I was considering the tea-dye idea myself. Previous to this Kenelog shot and cyclosporin, I seemed to come oh sooo close to healing with other topicals, but nothing was stopping those new pustules from surfacing, every single day! Just a glimpse of that little white dot under the skin almost made me cry, just know what was to come.
Happy for this relief, and hoping it lasts!!!

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857305 · In reply to 1857304 by DEERSLAYER
• December 8, 2010 at 1:54 am
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

I will...still need to post pics, cuz the difference is amazing!
Just so busy @ work w/ the season and all...just another reason I'm so grateful hands are better.

derm appt today for progress check and bloodwork. IF (gotta love those ifs)
IF I should have a relapse onto full blown flare after this kenelog shot, I might expect it w/in 3-4 weeks.
I told him, "oh GOODY!! Can't wait!"
knock knock knock on wood...
fingers also crossed that bloodwork comes back ok with cyclosporin.
Doc was happy for my clearing...next appt 2 mos away, unless otherwise needed.
LET'S HOPE NOT!!!

Will keep posted, and hope best for all!!!

• By npf-10993 (Inactive)
• Reply 1857306 · In reply to 1857305 by KeryAnne
• December 13, 2010 at 11:38 pm
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** Originally posted by 3and12Pugs **

Hello Kery Anne. I, too, have PPP. You have done amazingly well to go from looking like the pics you posted to being able to go gloveless and wearing bling within a month..haha..good for you!! Mine looked very much like yours, in the beginning. I have had it exactly a year. Now the palms are a smooth dark pink and the blisters are so much smaller and fewer. My feet heal slower, but they are greatly improved. My Derm says it may just burn itself out...I hope she is right. What helped me was reducing my sugar intake (sugar is so hard on the immune system), taking biotin, probiotics, and applying a coal tar compound on my hands and feet. I am just one of those who wants to avoid the more potent drugs as long as I can...as long as I am seeing steady improvement, anyway.
It seems to me that the outbreaks cycle about every 3 wks. Just when I start thinking maybe I have it beat here comes another round..though each break out is less and less.
This is a wonderful site with kind, understanding and helpful people. Welcome, and best of luck to you.

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857307 · In reply to 1857306 by npf-10993
• December 14, 2010 at 9:35 pm
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

Hello Kery Anne. I, too, have PPP. You have done amazingly well to go from looking like the pics you posted to being able to go gloveless and wearing bling within a month..haha..good for you!! Mine looked very much like yours, in the beginning. I have had it exactly a year. Now the palms are a smooth dark pink and the blisters are so much smaller and fewer. My feet heal slower, but they are greatly improved. My Derm says it may just burn itself out...I hope she is right. What helped me was reducing my sugar intake (sugar is so hard on the immune system), taking biotin, probiotics, and applying a coal tar compound on my hands and feet. I am just one of those who wants to avoid the more potent drugs as long as I can...as long as I am seeing steady improvement, anyway.
It seems to me that the outbreaks cycle about every 3 wks. Just when I start thinking maybe I have it beat here comes another round..though each break out is less and less.
This is a wonderful site with kind, understanding and helpful people. Welcome, and best of luck to you.

Yeah, well 3 1/2. my luck has run out! SOOOOOOOOOO f-n bummed. Knew something was just not feeling right with my left hand, and by Sunday I knew why. Right foot also got VERY VERY itchy. Well, both were peeling by today. saving grace is that it seems very small and localized. another difference is that the skin under that which has peeled is not raw red, shiny, and painful. It is really nothing compared to before, but I am so scared it will progress worse as last time.
Derm told me I might expect re-flare w/in 3-4 weeks and I'm right within that window. No horribly raised pustules, and actually no pus...dried out right away to the peel stage.
Continuing with cyclo and still tapering down from topical temovate.
Good news is, my bloodwork is back from last week and all looks ok. thank God! Fingers crossed!!!
My hands have also been a sooth dark pink, with lines that are now very deliniated, but, still, much much better than they were. Thank you for posting, it's great to know we are not alone. I agree with you, a WONDERFUL site.

• By npf-10993 (Inactive)
• Reply 1857308 · In reply to 1857307 by KeryAnne
• December 16, 2010 at 11:27 pm
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** Originally posted by 3and12Pugs **

Yeah, every 3-4 wks, that is the way with it...Everything is fine and looking good, then just when you start thinking maybe it's gone you get that familiar itch. Sounds like the med you are taking is going to work great for you, though. It has taken me a yr, without the meds, to get to your stage. I think one thing that has helped, too, is that I just don't stress about it as much anymore. Except for strangers out in public, everyone I know has seen my hands by now so I don't have to keep re-explaining that is isn't contagious and I don't have leprosy. My Derm told me she has several patients with PPP in my town. I have never run into any of them, but I was suspicious that there was some competition while at the Dollar Store trying to stock up on those cheap white cotton gloves. :) Guess we just have to accept that we will never be a highly paid hand model. :)

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857309 · In reply to 1857308 by npf-10993
• December 17, 2010 at 12:52 am
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

OMG! was just thinking to myself as it started to reappear...well good thing I was never a hand model!
Hey, a girl's gotta laugh!
Dollar store is also great for large cheap supply of those thin plastic gloves!

Can I ask, you've had this a year, without meds, and do you mean it's been a constant reflare every 3 weeks?
For me, what started out as so minor became just constant. New pustules were forming before I was even cleared from the last round. In fact, new pustules were forming in new spots every day!
Quite a few diff meds before I saw any results close to this.

I hope you are enjoying some relief. The stress factor has definately subsided for me, but as I said, now I do worry that it will come back real bad again. Keep positive, right?

• By merylg
• Reply 1857310
• December 17, 2010 at 3:15 am
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** Originally posted by merylg **

Hi Kerry Anne...I have had hands like that at times & was misdiagnosed as having contact dermatitis. I will honestly tell you what helped me...in ONE week...to go from red raw with itching, flaking, weeping & clear pustules...I was on an elimination diet (under an Allergy Immunology specialist ) for a separate reason, ...got to the point when all i was allowed to consume was white rice, celery, pears, eggs & white potato. Out of my own interest i the gave up white potato for one week....and my hands cleared up completely! Potato was always such a staple part of my diet that i never would have dreamed it could be part of my problem. If you want to try eliminating white potato for 1 week...substitute Kumera...sweet potato...i found i can tolerate that. Also...not all varieties seem to cause me grief.
Now tho...I am being really affected by Psoriatic Arthritis...in both hands...spine & feet...not good. Plaquenil caused hands to flare and also...eggplant!!! another nightshade...brought on the most recent destructive arthritic flare in my hands, arms, shoulders & upper & lower spine. Thanks for sharing your photos.

• By pattyriv
• Reply 1857311
• December 17, 2010 at 1:16 pm
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** Originally posted by pattyr **

Kery Anne....my right foot (only) looks just like yours! In fact, it's burning & itching as we speak. Thank God for vaseline. I've been prescribed an injection called Stelara.....very expensive, but Stelara people offer a discounted program that you just have to appy for. Hoping to get my first injection next week (if all the paperwork gets in). Prior to this I was taking Raptiva, another injection, but it was removed from the market due to some terrible conditions, including brain damage. I went into "remission" for about a year...now it's back and worse than ever. I can't imagine having this on my hands. Thanks for posting the photos.

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857312 · In reply to 1857310 by merylg
• December 18, 2010 at 4:58 pm
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

Hi Kerry Anne...I have had hands like that at times & was misdiagnosed as having contact dermatitis. I will honestly tell you what helped me...in ONE week...to go from red raw with itching, flaking, weeping & clear pustules...I was on an elimination diet (under an Allergy Immunology specialist ) for a separate reason, ...got to the point when all i was allowed to consume was white rice, celery, pears, eggs & white potato. Out of my own interest i the gave up white potato for one week....and my hands cleared up completely! Potato was always such a staple part of my diet that i never would have dreamed it could be part of my problem. If you want to try eliminating white potato for 1 week...substitute Kumera...sweet potato...i found i can tolerate that. Also...not all varieties seem to cause me grief.
Now tho...I am being really affected by Psoriatic Arthritis...in both hands...spine & feet...not good. Plaquenil caused hands to flare and also...eggplant!!! another nightshade...brought on the most recent destructive arthritic flare in my hands, arms, shoulders & upper & lower spine. Thanks for sharing your photos.

I've seen ppl talking about nightshades here, but I think I would just cry if I couldn't have 'tato! LOL. Trying to be patient and positive. So far, other than a slight and quick re-flare, this seems to be working. But I would not say I'm feeling confident that it's anywhere near over.
Did this come on very suddenly for you? Did for me, with no previous probs, no family history, and nooo other P or allergies. Fingers crossed! tnx for posting!!

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857313 · In reply to 1857311 by pattyriv
• December 18, 2010 at 5:12 pm
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

Kery Anne....my right foot (only) looks just like yours! In fact, it's burning & itching as we speak. Thank God for vaseline. I've been prescribed an injection called Stelara.....very expensive, but Stelara people offer a discounted program that you just have to appy for. Hoping to get my first injection next week (if all the paperwork gets in). Prior to this I was taking Raptiva, another injection, but it was removed from the market due to some terrible conditions, including brain damage. I went into "remission" for about a year...now it's back and worse than ever. I can't imagine having this on my hands. Thanks for posting the photos.

Pattyr, mine started on just one hand....the photos are from when it had not only spread to other hand and feet, but had gotten MUCH worse. I was afraid to look at hands in morning for fear of the new pustules I would find.
Soooooo much better now, only reflared slightly on my left hand and right foot, but JUST when it looked like it was going for good. I won't complain though, and I'm still going gloveless, yay! Actually, I'm doing the plastic glove, cotton glove and vaseline right now as I type, but I'm just doing this once in a while as "routine maintenance!" REALLY helps control the dry factor.
As for the photos, I almost gladly posted them, cuz when this was first going on with me, I did not know what the hell it was, and it was getting worse....i was desperately searching the internet for ANYTHING that looked like me! What a relief to find this site.....:) You say you were in "remission" for a year, but was it only ever one foot??? I hope you have great results with your injection. Please let me know!

• By merylg
• Reply 1857314 · In reply to 1857312 by KeryAnne
• December 18, 2010 at 6:09 pm
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** Originally posted by merylg **

I've seen ppl talking about nightshades here, but I think I would just cry if I couldn't have 'tato! LOL. Trying to be patient and positive. So far, other than a slight and quick re-flare, this seems to be working. But I would not say I'm feeling confident that it's anywhere near over.
Did this come on very suddenly for you? Did for me, with no previous probs, no family history, and nooo other P or allergies. Fingers crossed! tnx for posting!!

Yep...came on suddenly & persisted for a long time...was treated with cortisone creams...which never really got rid of it & made my skin thin. I did have an Atopic/Allergic history, had had some flexural eczema at elbows & behind knees in the past. Have a brother with classic skin Psoriasis on his legs. I have never been diagnosed with skin P but it seems that the Arthritis I have now is about to be diagnosed as PsA. PS The skin on my hands is clear now. Just being attacked at the knuckles, wrists, neck & shoulders...muscles & tendons more so than actual joints...weird.

• By KeryAnne
• Reply 1857315 · In reply to 1857314 by merylg
• December 21, 2010 at 9:19 pm
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** Originally posted by keryanne **

Well, what started as small spot on left hand that quickly went to peel, did become somewhat worse. there were hardly any visible pustules on right hand, but entire palm has become very thick and some spots starting to shed. This is terrible, but I am AMAZED at the size and thickness of a loose piece that I can pull off with no feeling at all.
I see no reason at all for my skin to grow so thick and useless!!!
Saving grace, as this poor photo MAY show, is that the skin underneath is still 10 times better than my past experiences. I can reasonably make a fist without feeling uncomfortable, I'm not limping, new pustules are not coming right on top of one another, and my skin is not raw. That shinyness in first photos was not flash or vaseline...that WAS my new glassy skin...and it was NOT happy!
I can only assume the meds are helping and I may have to resign to this 3-4 week shedding for quite some time. Boo....
***Anyone else have similar results with cyclosporine?***
Wish I shared pics just a week and half ago of ALL 4 appendages looking so nice and close to complete healing...ahh, the good ole days...................head hanging, but spirits still hopeful. TNX ALL!

• By pattyriv
• Reply 1857316 · In reply to 1857313 by KeryAnne
• December 27, 2010 at 9:23 am
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** Originally posted by pattyr **

Kery Anne, it was always only my right foot. I know that seems incredible, but true. Was so bad at one point that I had to walk with a cane...this was back in 2008 and I tried every cream and pill there was...methotrexate, steroids, kenalog creme, cortizone shots in the foot, light therapy...then I discovered Raptiva (what a Godsend) but that went off the market. I slowly tapered off Raptiva and then went into "remission" for a year...a little peeling, but nothing like the crippling effect before Raptiva. The thing is that I woke up on Christmas morning and my foot was clear. I wish I would've taken a photo so I could show you guys the before and after in one day...and I mean it, like a Christmas miracle. Ya know I pray for this crap to be gone from my life every day....did it finally happen? Now I'm so torn, about taking Stelara, supposed to be shipped to the doctor this week.

Some people here are talking about allergies to food that may be the cause. I've tried to think of what I've been eating or not eating while I've been off work for holiday....I've been eating sweets and drinking booze/beer and this is not my usual thing, as I always try to watch my weight and only occasionally drink spirits, like over the holidays. I just don't get what I did or didn't do to cause such a clearing on my foot.

• By npf-13680 (Inactive)
• Reply 1857317 · In reply to 1857287 by npf-12735
• December 27, 2010 at 7:05 pm
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** Originally posted by mikeysnana **

Did you have many side affects with Humira?