‘It held me back’: psoriasis sufferer shares his story

25 Oct, 2017, 1:11 pm25 Oct, 2017, 1:16 pm Sarah Mason 0 Comments

0Q7A8496 — Psoriasis sufferer David Vanags.

“For 20 years, I had psoriasis covering 80 per cent of my body. It just appeared in my middle to late teens – the first time, I had no idea what it was and it just gradually got worse over time. Psoriasis is a painful condition where skin cells build up and form scales and itchy, dry patches. It was incredibly hard to deal with, I spent every day trying to hide it. I wouldn’t wear t-shirts or shorts, even if it was 30 degrees outside. My wife and I would turn down invitations to barbecues with friends because I wouldn’t feel comfortable in short sleeves. I couldn’t take my boys to the beach, it just held me back so much. I tried everything to get rid of it – special creams and medications – nothing worked. In January 2015, I was referred to the dermatology team at Westmead Hospital and put on the drug Consentyx. After years of nothing working, I noticed a drastic improvement after a month. Four months later, my psoriasis was virtually gone. This treatment has been life-changing for me and my family. I can go to the park and play with my kids now. I want to raise awareness about psoriasis and the impact it can have on people. I know a lot of people suffer in silence – they don’t have to.”