4cboysmommy
Full Member
Posts: 213
Sept 13, 2014 1:19:39 GMT
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Post by 4cboysmommy on Apr 17, 2019 11:45:37 GMT
I don't post very often, but would love to get some feedback on psoriasis treatment.
I have had psoriasis for 20+ years, but for the most part I have been able to keep it under control with ointments and creams because it has only been in small areas.
In the last few years, it has started to flare more. Now I am covered in it and it is really itchy and painful.
I am seeing a new dermatologist and I have a feeling they are going to want to prescribe a biologic or other type of medication.
If you have taken any of these types of medicine can you tell me what one and the good, bad, and ugly? I am really worried about the immune suppressant part of it because I work in a primary school that is a petri dish of germs!
Thanks!
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Post by dewryce on Apr 17, 2019 12:29:56 GMT
I know StephDRebel has mentioned her skin psoriasis before, perhaps she can help you. I have psoriatic arthritis and have had inverse psoriasis and scalp issues, but just got my first typical skin patches on the back of my knee so I’ll be interested in hearing what everyone has to say. I’ve been avoiding the biological drugs for various reasons, but I think it’s time. |
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4cboysmommy
Full Member
Posts: 213
Sept 13, 2014 1:19:39 GMT
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Post by 4cboysmommy on Apr 17, 2019 14:05:39 GMT
I used to just have a few small patches on my legs and arms. Then it started to grow. Especially March-September is the worst.
I am very nervous about taking a biologic because of all the side effects, but with the surface area covered I’m guessing there won’t be many other options.
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brandy327
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,353 
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Post by brandy327 on Apr 17, 2019 14:17:43 GMT
I'm on Enbrel and have been for years. I was actually started on it because of psoriatic arthritis but a nice bonus is that it helps keep my psoriasis in check. My scalp is my worst spot and it helps so much. I may be unusual, but I don't have any symptoms from it. I have 3 teenagers but I've been on Enbrel since my kids were little. I volunteered at the elementary school when they were younger and I worked at an in home day care for years. I haven't ever picked up anything unusual nor when I do get a bug it doesn't last any longer than usual. I'll be happy to answer anything specific you want to know!  |
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Post by teacherlisa on Apr 17, 2019 19:05:02 GMT
RA and PA here...using Enbrel. It has helped both my RA and PA. I understand being scared of the side effects, but for me it ended up being the right choice.
That said, my psoriasis was not completely controlled until I quit sugar. Every time I cheat and have sugar, my inflammation goes up and I develop patches.
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,390
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Apr 17, 2019 19:56:44 GMT
An old co worker of mine was on Humera (sp?) when hers got bad. It helped her so much! We could visibly see results around 4 weeks after she started. Not sure when she noticed changes on herself, I imagine sooner than us noticing. (Not sure if she’s still on it, as she doesn’t work with me anymore.)
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 20, 2024 14:30:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2019 21:42:59 GMT
I don't post very often, but would love to get some feedback on psoriasis treatment. I have had psoriasis for 20+ years, but for the most part I have been able to keep it under control with ointments and creams because it has only been in small areas. In the last few years, it has started to flare more. Now I am covered in it and it is really itchy and painful. I am seeing a new dermatologist and I have a feeling they are going to want to prescribe a biologic or other type of medication. If you have taken any of these types of medicine can you tell me what one and the good, bad, and ugly? I am really worried about the immune suppressant part of it because I work in a primary school that is a petri dish of germs! Thanks! Talk to your doctor about your concerns. And if you have any swelling in the hands, toes/feet or joints ask to see a rheumatologist. It was a rheumatologist who first spotted my psoriasis... even a derm had dismissed it as eczema back in my 20s. I've been taking methotrexate without any issues. While college kids aren't normally quite ad germy as the little ones I am amazed at how many show in my office obviously ill. Skin is cleared up and my psoriatic arthritis is doing much better too. I've never had major skin issues just small areas normally under my clothes until this winter. |
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Post by scrappintoee on Apr 17, 2019 23:56:54 GMT
(( hugs )) to you, OP, and all of you who have it !!!  My Mom had it and I remember her misery from the large, red, scaley lesions on her arms and legs. This was in the 80's, and I don't know if there were any meds to help back then? One of my best friends has it and sometimes it starts getting onto her EYELIDS, INSIDE her ears, and all over her scalp---she tries to not let it bother her, but she sometimes gets soooo miserable from the itch and pain!  She's avoiding traditional medications, so here are 3 things she does that help: 1. None (or verrrry limited) foods made with white sugar or white flour; she says they make her lesions much worse. 2. CBD oil has helped her, but only a little bit. She's also planning on asking her doctor if medical marijuana could help. 3. SUNSHINE !!!! I realize that being able to expose ALL the parts of your body affected out in the direct sunlight may not be something all of you can do--- BUT, I wonder if the lights in a tanning bed or one of those special lamps? |
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4cboysmommy
Full Member
Posts: 213
Sept 13, 2014 1:19:39 GMT
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Post by 4cboysmommy on Apr 18, 2019 0:31:23 GMT
Thank you for the responses.
I have seen a rheumatologist because I was having some pain and swelling, but he said that it isn't arthritic in nature after doing bloodwork.
The last derm I saw said that I wasn't a candidate for medicine because my flares aren't bad all year, but when they are bad it is miserable. Because I work around food I always keep them covered so nothing flakes off.
I will definitely talk about all of my concerns and see what this doctor suggests.
Thank you again for all of the positive stories. It makes me feel like it isn't all doom and gloom like the commercials sound like!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 20, 2024 14:30:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2019 2:35:44 GMT
Thank you for the responses. I have seen a rheumatologist because I was having some pain and swelling, but he said that it isn't arthritic in nature after doing bloodwork. The last derm I saw said that I wasn't a candidate for medicine because my flares aren't bad all year, but when they are bad it is miserable. Because I work around food I always keep them covered so nothing flakes off. I will definitely talk about all of my concerns and see what this doctor suggests. Thank you again for all of the positive stories. It makes me feel like it isn't all doom and gloom like the commercials sound like! If you have joint/muscle pain see a different rhuem. Psoriatic arthritis has no blood tests beyond a skin biopsy for psoriasis. It is diagnosed by symptoms. Not all people with psoriasis ends up with the arthritis. I have both RA (rheumatoid arth.) and PsA (psoriatic arth.) The RA was diagnosed with blood tests. The PsA diagnosis was through symptoms, x-rays showing damage to joints, and a biopsy of my skin lesions. Maybe ask your dermatologist for a recommendation of a rhuem. who is familiar with PsA. But, yes, there is a good life after diagnosis and treatment. It isn't all doom and gloom! |
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Post by jemmls4 on Apr 18, 2019 2:47:39 GMT
My DIL has psoriasis all over. She’s been on a variety of things. Her insurance recently stopped paying for whatever she was on and she was back to creams and ointments while fighting the system. It got so bad a few weeks ago she missed a few days of work. When she went to the doctor she took photos and called the insurance company right then and there and sent the photos to them. They immediately reversed their denial. I forget what she’s taking right now but it has made a HUGE difference. And it doesn’t have a lot of the side effects the other med was causing.
I’ll ask her what she’s on now and update.
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Post by scrappintoee on Apr 18, 2019 4:55:24 GMT
4cboysmommy....I hope they can find something to help you! jemmls4 ----That's HORRIBLE that your DIL had to suffer due to the &#^%$ insurance company's denial  I am SO GLAD she sent the piks and they reversed their decision! |
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Post by gypsymama on Apr 20, 2019 18:30:35 GMT
i'm 47 and have had psoriasis since i was in middle school. i also have PA. i saw a reum but he said that since the meds he would put me on and the ones my derm put me on are the same, no need to double up on appts. she put me on methotrexate to start with due to insurance restrictions and after a year, it wasn't working very well anymore, so now i'm on humira. its like a miracle drug for me. NO psoriasis anymore other than some scalp flakes and i was prob 75% covered. arthritis is in check, even acne, clogged pores, etc... have cleared up. i recentely went 2 months without taking it and i could tell the difference bigtime. other than blood work, haven't had to do anything at all different. no side effects and i'm a library aide in a k-12 school and i'm sick much less than most of my coworkers.
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4cboysmommy
Full Member
Posts: 213
Sept 13, 2014 1:19:39 GMT
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Post by 4cboysmommy on Apr 20, 2019 22:12:50 GMT
I went to my appointment on Thursday. She said that because I am so covered and have been for awhile, she wanted to start with cyclosporine. I have to get blood work done and then get it mailed to me (stupid insurance restriction). After a month we will see how I am and then switch to a biologic.
I am a little worried about the side effects of this medicine. Especially the high blood pressure. She only wants me in it a month because of the serious side effects 😬
Hopefully it will clear it up quickly and then I can get on something a little less scary.
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4cboysmommy
Full Member
Posts: 213
Sept 13, 2014 1:19:39 GMT
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Post by 4cboysmommy on Apr 22, 2019 11:04:53 GMT
Has anyone else taken cyclosporine? Or is there another medication I should ask about?
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Post by jemmls4 on Apr 24, 2019 3:02:47 GMT
My DIL has psoriasis all over. She’s been on a variety of things. Her insurance recently stopped paying for whatever she was on and she was back to creams and ointments while fighting the system. It got so bad a few weeks ago she missed a few days of work. When she went to the doctor she took photos and called the insurance company right then and there and sent the photos to them. They immediately reversed their denial. I forget what she’s taking right now but it has made a HUGE difference. And it doesn’t have a lot of the side effects the other med was causing. I’ll ask her what she’s on now and update. I saw my DIL Sunday. She’s on stelara now. She’s already so much better with just her first dose. She was on otezla. She had terrible headaches, sometimes so bad she couldn’t go to work. She did a lot of research too and heard bad things about Taltz. |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 24, 2019 6:29:02 GMT
My Mum was on Enbrel and had to go off before surgery once. She went back on and felt results in just hours of the first dose. The disease is different but it kept her RA at bay forever. Good luck!
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I am SO GLAD she sent the piks and they reversed their decision! 
