Important information to tell your healthcare team
Your healthcare team can provide you with information and practical advice on managing your psoriasis. This will include information on the wide range of treatments available to treat your psoriasis. They can also provide you with access to counselling to help you cope with any worry you may be experiencing.
It is important that you work closely with the members of your healthcare team, so that you get the best possible outcome to your treatment. Keep notes about your symptoms, treatment and concerns and share these with your healthcare team. Never be afraid to ask questions - remember, they're there to help you.
There are a number of key things you should try to let your doctor or specialist know, including:
- What your symptoms are and how severe they are.
- Try to use everyday language and avoid medical terms you are unsure of.
- Don't forget to mention symptoms that you might consider to be commonplace, like headaches or sleeping difficulties. Such symptoms could be a sign of an underlying health problem.
- When your symptoms happen. Consider keeping a symptom 'diary' for a while before going to see the doctor.
- If you have other health concerns, even if you don't think they're related, such as bone fractures or problems with your vision.
- The truth. Don't try to hide facts if you're a heavy smoker or drinker. Concealing this information could affect and even hinder your treatment and care.
- How the condition is making you feel emotionally.
The more accurate the information you give your healthcare team, the easier it will be to find the treatment that works best for you. Keeping a symptom diary will help you and your healthcare team to improve your quality of life. A symptom diary will help you to note how you feel and any times that you forgot to take your medication, as well as any interventions/routines that appeared to provide more relief.
To download a symptom diary which you can use please click here
Questions you might be asked
Here are some questions your GP may ask you to help him or her
decide you have psoriasis:
- What are the symptoms you are experiencing?
- When did your symptoms first start?
- Have your symptoms always been the same or are they getting
worse?
- What medications are you currently using and how long have you
been using them for?
- Did you notice any improvement in your symptoms when you
started treatment?
- Have any members of your family suffered from psoriasis?
- How does psoriasis affect your everyday life (physically and
emotionally)?
Assessment
Sometimes your healthcare team may take a small sample of skin
(called a 'biopsy') to determine the exact type of psoriasis and to
rule out other conditions. This will be sent off for analysis. Your
healthcare team will then either write to you with the results
and/or invite you back for another appointment to discuss the
results.
Your healthcare team may measure the impact of your psoriasis on
your life. To do this they may ask you to fill in a questionnaire
called the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) which measures,
through ten questions, the impact psoriasis has had on your life
physically, emotionally, socially and sexually during the past
week. This helps your healthcare team to measure how well you are
feeling and, if you have started treatment, how well it is
working.
Another type of assessment your healthcare team may use is the
Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) which is used to assess the
severity of your psoriasis by assessing the redness, thickness, and
scaliness of your skin lesions as well as how much of your skin is
affected by psoriasis.
Questions you might want to ask
Often, the time you spend with your healthcare professional is limited. It may be a good idea to think about the questions you would like to ask them before your appointment and write them down. Take these with you to your appointment.
It is important that you can leave your appointment feeling satisfied that you were able to ask and have answered all of the questions appropriate to that healthcare professional. Knowing what you want to find out before you go in can help achieve this.
Here are some questions you might like to ask:
- What treatments are available for psoriasis?
- What are the benefits of a particular treatment?
- How do you decide which treatment is best for me?
- How long will my treatment take to work?
- For how long will I need to have this treatment?
- What happens if I stop taking my medication?
- What side effects might I experience from my treatment?
- How can my progress on the treatment be monitored?
- Will I need any tests while I'm on this treatment?
- Can I take this medication if I am trying to get pregnant or father a child?
- Who can I speak to if I have any questions after this visit?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I could make which could help, such as changing my eating habits or giving up smoking?
- Where can I get more information about psoriasis? There may be useful websites or patient support groups.
It's important not to think you are wasting your doctor's time. Your health is important, so if you do feel that you need more time with the doctor you could always ask whether a double appointment is available.
And if you are not sure about your diagnosis and/or the treatment prescribed and think a second opinion might help, don't be worried about asking for one. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a specialist or another GP in the practice. A second opinion can help ensure that your treatment and care are successful.
Role of the pharmacist
If you and your doctor decide you need some medicines for your psoriatic arthritis, you may find that the healthcare professional you have the most contact with is your local pharmacist.
It's good to remember that your pharmacist is more than just someone who sells you your medication. A pharmacist is an expert on how medicines work and interact, and can advise you about any safety concerns - especially important if you're taking more than one medicine at the same time.
Read more about how your pharmacist can help you (PDF)
As part of the service to make sure your medicines are right for you and that you're getting the best from them, your pharmacist can offer you a free Medicines Use Review (MUR). Find out more about the Medicines Use Review (PDF)
Navigate the NHS
Understanding how the NHS works - and what NHS services are available in your area - can help you to get the most out of your interactions with healthcare professionals. This will enable you to manage your Psoriasis better and live your life in the best possible health.
See our guide to finding your way around the NHS (PDF)