I came to this site via Twitter.

My Psoriasis score was a 56.

Hello to all and I am sorry for you having to suffer with Psoriasis.

I first was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis 21 years ago.

Then came the psoriasis.

I read about remission. My psoriasis has never gone into remission.

I have been treated with topical cortisteroids, vitamin D3, UVA with Psoralen, UVB, methotrexate, cyclosporine, prednisone, amevive, Raptiva, Enbrel, Humira, Stelara & Remicade.

The PsA symptoms have varied over the years.

I am currently struggling with my second bout of full body
Erythrodermic Psoriasis. I first experienced this in Oct 2010.

Both times it occurred after missing 1 or more Remicade Treatments.

I currently am off my remicade regimen due to an infected foot ulcer.

The hole in the bottom of my foot prevents me from soaking in a bath.

It is a crazy conundrum!

I get Remicade by infusion every eight weeks. When continuous, I have 5 clear weeks (0 P) followed by 1 1/2 weeks of plaque appearances, then treatment, then 1 1/2 weeks of plaques disappearing, then 5 clear weeks all over.

When I was on a every 6 week schedule, I was 100% clear.

The current insurer will not go for a 6 week schedule.

Again, hi to all.

I have skin psoriasis up the middle of my chest and under my arms a little bit and I have found a very simple cure that I don't think anyone knows about because I just happened to come across it randomly... every day when I take a shower I wash normally and then at the end I use clean and clear foaming facial cleanser on my face and psoriasis areas and I have seen none of it for almost a year. I came upon it randomly when I used it to clean my face and then somehow tried it on the psoriasis and it works like a charm. What really proved it was I used to not use it on the the little bit under my arms and then as soon as I did it cleared completely up within a couple days and has never came back. This is such a cheap and easy solution and works to clear your face and psoriasis up all in one swipe. Please spread the word because I used to try the topical stuff I was prescribed and it was way more annoying to use and never really worked. I don't know exactly what in it does it but it works at least for me please try it out and let others know if it works for you too.

This is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of systemic treatment approved for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Including 48 randomised controlled trials totalling 16,696 patients using Remicade, Humira, Stelara, Enbrel, Methotrexate, Cyclosporine, and Fumaric acid.

Quote:

---

Background:
Dermatologists may choose from various conventional and biological systemic agents to treat patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Objectives:
To systematically analyse the efficacy and tolerability of approved treatments for moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Methods:
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of systemic treatment approved for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Efficacy was assessed as the proportion of participants with PASI-75 response at primary efficacy measurement (week 8 - 16). Safety was summarized as rates of adverse events and withdrawals. Direct and indirect comparative efficacy was assessed by random-effects meta-analysis of risk differences (RD).

Results:
48 eligible RCTs totalling 16,696 patients (11,178 randomised to biologics, 1,888 to conventional treatments) were identified. In placebo-controlled trials, infliximab was most efficacious (RD 76%; 95%CI 73-79%). Adalimumab (RD 61%; 95%CI 56-67%), ustekinumab 45mg (RD 63%; 95%CI 59-66%), and 90mg (RD 67%; 95%CI 60-74%) each had similar efficacy. These biologics are more effective than etanercept and all conventional treatments. Head-to-head trials indicate superiority of adalimumab and infliximab over methotrexate (MTX), superiority of ustekinumab over etanercept, non-significant superiority of cyclosporine vs MTX, and dose-dependent efficacy of etanercept and ustekinumab. Fumaric acid is similarly efficacious as MTX. Safety of treatments could not be pooled due to a lack of standardisation in reporting across trials.

Conclusions:
Qualitative and quantitative evidence is much stronger for biological interventions than for conventional treatments.

Hi every one at forum
I am new member and I have digestive tract inflammation since 2008 associated with diarrhea . most GI specialists fail to diagnosed my disease
they suspect my disease as Crohns some time and other suspect that I have
intestinal Tuberculosis and the last GI Specialist didn't knowing my disease
after all tests of blood,stool, colonscopies and CT-scan. I took all medication
of above metioned diseases without any improvement but get more worse.

My request is there some inflammation in gut caused by PSORIASIS ??
My mother have history of psoriasis in his legs and arms . is my mother disease
effect my gut instead my skin? Are there some cases like mine occurred to
other people?
Thank for repliers
Denver,CO,USA

I was just talking with Rosie and she was asking if there is a link with Psoriasis and Paresthesia and wondered if anyone had more info?

Paresthesia refers to a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body. The sensation, which happens without warning, is usually painless and described as tingling or numbness, skin crawling, or itching. The most familiar kind of paresthesia is the sensation known as a limb "falling asleep"

Wikipedia has a piece but I cant find anything else yet.

Quote:

---

Joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome are common sources of paresthesia.

I just found this forum and I am so glad....

I have been suffering for about a year and 3 months with severe stiffness, paresthesias and exhaustion, I also have dry eyes to the point that my vision is blurry and I have a hard time reading..... and my mouth is so dry that I have to have something to drink when i eat or I can't get the food down.... I used to have the stamina to keep on with projects and move on to another... now I have to take a nap after the smallest chore..... soooo not like me.....

I have had a strange rash in the front of my lower leg that I 1st noticed about 6 months ago.... of course, nobody has a clue what it is.... it really doesn't bother me..... it is over a varicose vein and it burns and stings sometimes, but I have just thought that it was my vein.

Anyway.... we have spent about $13,800 trying to figure out what is wrong with me, I have had so many Doctors say they have no idea after the tests don't come back the way they expect.
My primary care doctor said these things "can take 10 years to figure out sometimes"
I can tell the world that I will not make it for 10 years like this!!!!

3 Weeks ago I had an appointment with an awesome Rheumatologist, she noticed "enlarged salivary glands" and then after looking at my leg rash and also noticing "suspicious" spots on my elbows, behind my ears and at the base of my hairline she asked me if I have psoriasis.... to my knowledge, I don't... she asked about family history and I have since learned that my mother's father had a severe case of plaque psoriasis.

I will see the dermatologist tomorrow and she is to diagnose the "rash" and determine if I have psoriasis....
Can she do that in one visit or will there be tests?

The Rheumy put me on Lyrica which has significantly helped with the paresthesias, I still have them but now instead of constantly, it is intermittent like it was when it 1st started....and that's about all that is better

Then I go back to the Rheumatologist on Tuesday..... I hope to have some answers and a treatment plan.... I want my life back!!!

I would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions on what to ask these Dr's....what to expect, etc.....

A study published today in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) suggests that severe psoriasis remained an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease requiring dialysis, and recommends closer monitoring for kidney problems in patients with 3% or more of their body surface area affected.

Quote:

---

Increasing evidence suggests that psoriasis is associated with diabetes and heart disease independent of traditional risk factors. Some doctors think psoriasis may also be associated with kidney disease, but so far, studies have been small and shown conflicting results.

So a team of researchers based in Philadelphia, USA decided to compare the risk of chronic kidney disease in patients with and without psoriasis.

Using a UK primary care electronic medical records database (THIN), they identified 143,883 patients aged 18 to 90 years with psoriasis. These patients were matched with 689,702 patients without psoriasis who acted as controls. Patient with psoriasis who received phototherapy or oral or injectable (biologic) medications were defined as having severe disease.

The team then analysed how many of these patients had received a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease based on standard tests between 2003 and 2010.

Known risk factors for chronic kidney disease, such as age, sex, presence of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and use of NSAIDs were also taken into account.

The researchers found that patients with psoriasis, particularly those with severe disease, were at greater risk of developing moderate to advanced (stage 3 to 5) chronic kidney disease compared with control patients. Furthermore, those with severe psoriasis were nearly twice as likely to develop chronic kidney disease and were more than four times as likely to develop end stage renal disease requiring dialysis.

After adjusting for known risk factors, severe psoriasis remained an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease requiring dialysis.

A further analysis of 8,731 psoriasis patients with measurements of affected body surface area matched to 87,310 patients without psoriasis showed similar results - a greater risk of chronic kidney disease in patients with moderate and severe disease.

Mild psoriasis is defined as limited disease with 2% or less body surface area affected, moderate as scattered disease with 3-10% body surface area affected and severe as extensive disease with more than 10% body surface area affected.

The combined results indicate that, although no association is seen in patients with truly mild disease, associations are seen in moderate and severe psoriasis, which are estimated to affect over 20% of patients worldwide, say the authors.

They also point out that, although the relative risk was higher in younger patients, the absolute risk of chronic kidney disease attributable to psoriasis increases with age.

For example, in patients aged 40-50 with severe disease, psoriasis accounts for one extra case of chronic kidney disease per 134 patients per year, and in those aged 50-60, it accounts for one additional case per 62 patients per year, they explain.

“Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings, determine the mechanisms mediating renal insufficiency in psoriasis, and examine the impact of treatment for psoriasis on the risk of chronic kidney disease,” they conclude.

New pre-filled pen type self-injectable Methotrexate should be available early 2014  

Quote:

---

Antares Pharma today announced the approval of OTREXUP (methotrexate) injection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). OTREXUP is the first FDA approved subcutaneous (SC) methotrexate (MTX) for once weekly self-administration with an easy to use, single dose, disposable auto injector.

“This new delivery system for methotrexate provides a welcome option for physicians and their patients to continue effective use of methotrexate. OTREXUP can be used when a response is inadequate or there are tolerability issues with oral methotrexate, before adding or switching to costlier therapies,” said Dr. Michael Schiff, Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Rheumatology Division at the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine in Denver. “The availability of an easy and safe way to administer subcutaneous methotrexate may overcome some of the current barriers to parenteral administration which could enable more patients to realize the possibility of continued disease control and therefore benefit from subcutaneous methotrexate.”

Otrexup is a single dose auto injector for once weekly subcutaneous use only. Administer Otrexup in the abdomen or the thigh. Otrexup is only available in doses between 10 to 25 mg in 5 mg increments.

Source: NO LINKS ALLOWED

Hi there,

I'm 35 y.o. from the Netherlands. Got psoriasis around my 15th birthday. Worst gift ever.

Psoriasis comes and goes but it's always right there on my face: red and scaly skin on my forehead, temples, nose, eyebrows, around and in the ears and the scalp. Over the years I have had some minor psoriasis patches in the usual places: elbows, knees, back. Nothing compared to having it on your face all the time. Facial psoriasis combined with quite severe acne at times; great confidence builder..

Medications tried: ointments, cremes (corticosteroids) and all sorts of anti-biotics, tar-shampoo, Chinese herbal medicine, accu-pressure, Roaccutane, Neoral.. Sometimes these treatments help a little (for a while), but mostly it makes it worse in the long run. Since most medical ointments and cremes are not to be applied on facial skin, options run out fast. Radical treatments like biologicals might offer a last resort but for now I don't want to go there.

Happy to say that I recently found coconut oil to be the friendliest stuff there is for my skin. It's not a miracle treatment (there is no such thing) but for me it keeps it my skin relatively clean and relaxed. On top of that, it's healthy, multi-purpose and doesn't make you smell like a coconut. You can cook with it as well.

Any other people with facial psoriasis on this forum? So far I have never met anyone who has a similar skin condition. I'd like to compare notes.

Cheers, Martijn

Hope to communicate w/the members and share the experiences.
I have severe problem w/my palms . Fingers are bleeding, and no creams help.
Anybody else w/the same problem , any suggestions?
Thanks.

This study set out to find if early onset of psoriasis would increase the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities in adulthood.

Quote:

---

Objective:
To evaluate whether the childhood onset of psoriasis (COP) is correlated with the frequency of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities in adulthood.

Methods:
This noninterventional, cross-sectional, multicentre study of adults with psoriasis was conducted in 29 dermatology centres in France. Data on sex, age at onset of psoriasis and its clinical characteristics, and cardiovascular risk factors, including weight, body mass index, waist circumference, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and personal/familial major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were systematically recorded.

Results:
Two thousand two hundred and one patients with psoriasis (male: 56%; mean age: 49 years; 25% with COP) were included consecutively in the study. Univariate analysis showed that COP was associated with lower frequencies of obesity, high waist circumference, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, familial cardiovascular disease, MACE and metabolic syndrome, but more frequent active smoking. Multivariate analysis retained age as being associated with frequency of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities, and sex with smoking, but not age at the onset of psoriasis. Psoriasis severity was associated with higher frequencies of obesity and psoriatic arthritis.

Conclusion:
Our results showed that COP does not seem to be an additional risk factor for higher frequencies of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities during adulthood.

Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) has been given FDA approval for the treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) in adults.

Important Safety Information You Should Know About CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol) can be found on their [web]https://www.cimzia.com/psoriatic-arthritis/[/web]

Other posts about Cimzia:
UCB announces filings for Cimzia to treat PsA
UCB's Cimzia for psoriatic arthritis Phase 3 results
Certolizumab Pegol and Psoriatic Arhtritis study results

Hi all
I was diagnosed with Psoriasis when I was seventeen, not a good time to get covered in scales, I was enjoying my young life and was very keen on girls.
But when I shew signs of Psoriasis I would cover up and get very embarrased.
This was over 45 years ago and I dont think people were so liberal minded then.
I used to coat myself in the terrible gunk they prescribed at the hospital usally salysilic acid ( I've probably got the spelling wrong)or other coal tar treatments.
When these were ineffective they offered ultra violet tratment, in those days it was quite hit and miss. I stood in front of a large relector and someone adjusted a pair of carbon rods together to create an arc and produce UV. More than once I came out like a lobster.
Then I was put on steroid creams etc many different ones, some more effective than others. I found that by sunning myself in the summer as much as I could I would get relief from the symptons. then a month or so into the winter back it came and I would cover up again long sleeved shirts, no shorts. I found having Psoriasis made me very self conscious mainly when it was on my forehead and in my hair. Even if it was not visible I was always fearful of people seeing it. Fortunately I met my now wife and she is very understanding and did not make me feel like a leper. Although she was constantly hoovering.
I have had PUVA treatment but as I have read in here by others I to have had over a lifetimes allowance of UV and they will not give it to me any more.
I was then put on Methotrxate a super drug for controlling Psoriasis . I used to take 10 tabs on a Monday then on Tuesday I would always feel generally unwell, I then took on a Friday Folic acid tab. But I got to dread Mondays and had trouble swallowing all the tablets so I asked to come off it and then after a while they put me on Fumaderm. It works great for me. At first I had a few stomach cramps and hot flushes but I felt much better than on Methotrexate.
When I have plaques on my body  (which I havent since starting Fumaderm) I used to help at the medical school showing the student doctors the various ways Psoriasis looks and give them an insight of how a person feels when suffering and explaining that there are phycological consequences to having the condition.
Then a couple of years on you find they are taking the Psoriasis clinic!!!. My feelings on that are in my other post Yesterday

Hello nice to find the site and read up how everyone copes. I was 17/18 when I got a small patch of psoriasis just after the birth of my boy. I am now 30 and also now have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis just 6 months ago. Nice to meet you all Dawn

Hi I have suffered with P for over 40 years and have been through most of the available treatments.
Just over a year ago I took myself off methotrexate as I hated the unwell feeling I had the day after taking them. Although they did a great job of keeping me clear for over 2 years. I was getting to dread Monday when I had to take them.
I was started on Fumaderm initial which was then upped to Fumaderm which although slow to clear I would say within 2 months I was clear taking 6 tabs a day
On my last visit I was cut down to 4 a day and so far so good.
My problem is I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer ( not bad) and am having Hormone tablets as part of the treatment Cyproterone 100mg and a three monthly injection of Prostap.
Has anyone had any experience of this combination as I asked the question of my GP who thought I should stop the fumaderm. I told my dermatology department this and they said it would be a good idea to stop taking them, for no other reason than I had brought the subject up.
They have not given any reason or offered alternative therapy.
Sorry about the rant but had to do it, Anyone out there with any advice.
If I get any from my hospital I will post the answer as it may help others

Here are three new studies published in The British Journal of Dermatology about Stelara (ustekinumab)

#1 #1

#2 #2

#3 #3

Source: NO LINKS ALLOWED

This article published in The British Journal of Dermatology is the longest drug-survival analysis of Enbrel (etanercept) for psoriasis and goes up to 7.5 years.

Quote:

---

Background:
Long-term data of etanercept drug-survival in psoriasis patients in daily-practice are scarce.

Objectives:
Primary objective was to describe drug-survival for etanercept in a long term daily practice cohort of patients with psoriasis. Secondary objective was to identify determinants of drug-survival for etanercept in general and separately for discontinuation due to adverse events or inefficacy of therapy.

Methods:
Data were extracted from a prospective daily-practice cohort of patients treated with biologics for psoriasis. Drug-survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival-curves and split for two reasons for discontinuation: adverse events and inefficacy. Determinants of drug-survival were analyzed in univariate Cox-regression analysis and in multivariate Cox-regression analysis with backward-selection.

Results:
We included 193 patients (512 treated patient years) with a maximum treatment duration of 7.5 years. The overall drug-survival was 77%, 41% and 30% after 1, 4 and 7.5 years, respectively. The mean survival duration was 3.8 years [95% confidence interval (CI95%) 3.4-4.3]. Reasons for discontinuation were inefficacy (33.7%), adverse events (11.9%), both inefficacy and adverse events (4.7%) or other reasons (e.g. pregnancy wish) (5.7%)). Determinants of longer general drug-survival were male sex (Hazard ratio (HR=0.55), prior anti-TNF-alpha use (HR=0.57), and lower etanercept dose (HR 0.65). Younger age (HR 0.83), lower BMI (HR=0.63) and lower etanercept dose (HR=0.71) decreased the risk of discontinuation due to side-effects. A lower mean weekly dose of etanercept (HR=0.63) decreased the risk of discontinuation due to inefficacy of therapy.

Conclusions:
We present the longest drug-survival analysis of etanercept for psoriasis until now. The overall drug survival was 77%, 41% and 30% after 1, 4 and 7.5 years, respectively and a median drug-survival duration of 3 years. Determinants of longer overall etanercept drug-survival were male sex, prior anti-TNF therapy and lower etanercept dose. The determinants of longer drug-survival depended on the reason for discontinuation of etanercept.

When you make a new post etc you get a message telling you your action was successful and you will be taken back to where you came from or something like that. If you don't want to see that message any-more as you are fed up with it and you just want to go straight to your post etc, follow these instructions.

Go to your User CP and on the left hand side click "Edit Options" Scroll down and on the right you will see "Show friendly redirect pages." Uncheck that box and click "Update Options".

No more message.

*Please note this will also affect a sent PM, so you will not get notification that your message was sent successfully.

Personally I like the message as I know my action was successful, but for the speedy ones amongst us it may be helpful.

Hello everyone,

My name is Kate and I have just stumbled across this club and I am delighted that it exists.

Its coming into summer in Australia which usually leaves me feeling anxious and irritable as the options for what I can wear quickly reduces. I try hard to not let it bother me but I'm a work in progress.

I have had psoriasis for 20 years so have tried every possible treatment with different variations of success but I'm hoping that I can share my knowledge and coping strategies with other people who live with this condition.

I look forward to connecting with you all soon.

Kate x