Hi All,
My name is Ali and have suffered from Psoriasis for over 25 Years. I am interested to find out whats been working for other Psoriasis sufferers.

Ali

Some folks have recommended that I read Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative. I like the idea of using natural remedies instead of medicines. It looks like it has good reviews, but I wanted to see if anyone here has read it and if it worked??? Thanks!

The screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is mandatory in patients with psoriasis prior to starting on tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, and this study published in The British Journal of Dermatology suggests Fluctuations of IFN-γ release may occur in patients with psoriasis treated with TNF antagonists.

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Objectives:
To investigate the longitudinal changes of interferon (IFN)-γ response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens by serial QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) testing in patients with psoriasis during long-term anti-TNF therapy. The direct in vitro effect of adalimumab on IFN-γ secretion was also evaluated.

Methods:
In total, 148 patients with psoriasis designated to start anti-TNF treatment were enrolled. We performed a tuberculin skin test at screening, and QFT-GIT at baseline and serially for 24 months after TNF antagonist onset.

Results:
At screening, QFT-GIT was positive in 22·3% of the patients, negative in 73·6% and indeterminate in 4%. The IFN-γ response following isoniazid therapy declined and became QFT-GIT negative in 8% of 26 patients with LTBI; in 69% of subjects with LTBI the QFT-GIT remained persistently positive with a significant increase of IFN-γ levels during the follow-up, even if no cases of active tuberculosis were found. Variations of IFN-γ levels were observed also in 7% of 27 patients without LTBI who switched to positive QFT-GIT after 12 or 18 months of biologic therapy, suggesting a new occurrence or reactivation of LTBI. In vitro data showed that in the presence of adalimumab the IFN-γ levels were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0·05).

Conclusions:
Fluctuations of IFN-γ release may occur in patients with psoriasis treated with TNF antagonists. The clinical use of repeated blood tests and the correct interpretation of individual IFN-γ changes could be useful in identifying possible cases of LTBI reactivation or newly acquired tuberculosis infection during long-term anti-TNF treatment.

This study published in The British Journal of Dermatology evaluates the association between Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) in patients with psoriasis.

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Background:
Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) is a potential indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis. Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is proposed as a new cardiometabolic risk factor.

Objective:
To evaluate the association between EFT and CIMT in patients with psoriasis.

Methods:
This was a cross-sectional and observational study; 65 patients with psoriasis and 50 age- and sex- matched control subjects were included. Data about echocardiographic EFT, CIMT, anthropometric measurements and metabolic profile were obtained.

Results:
The EFT and CIMT were significantly increased (7·3 ± 0·5 vs. 6·5 ± 0·5 mm, P < 0·01; 0·74 ± 0·11 vs. 0·60 ± 0·07 mm, P < 0·01, respectively) in patients with psoriasis compared with the controls. EFT was significantly correlated with CIMT (r = 0·69, P < 0·01). In a multiple linear regression model in which EFT was independently associated with psoriasis (β = 0·45, P < 0·01), age (β = 0·33, P = 0·01), CIMT (β = 0·50, P < 0·01), body mass index (β = 0·25, P = 0·01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (β = 0·32, P < 0·01) and duration of disease (β = 0·34, P = 0·03).

Conclusions:
We demonstrated that EFT and CIMT are increased in patients with psoriasis, and that echocardiographic EFT is closely correlated with CIMT in patients with psoriasis. The echocardiographic assessment of EFT may have the potential to be a simple marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis.

This study published in The British Journal of Dermatology looks at the relationship between serum levels of endocan and both cardiovascular risk and disease activity in patients with psoriasis.

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Background:
Psoriasis vulgaris is an inflammatory disease characterized by epidermal hyperproliferation, leucocyte adhesion molecule expression and leucocyte infiltration. Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction is widely regarded as being the initial process in the development of atherosclerosis. Human endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan) is a novel human endothelial cell-specific molecule. Previous studies suggested that endocan may be a novel endothelial dysfunction marker.

Objectives:
To investigate the relationship between serum levels of endocan and both cardiovascular risk and disease activity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Methods:
A total of 29 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 35 control subjects were included in the study. Endocan, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and carotid artery intima–media thickness (cIMT) were measured in all subjects.

Results:
Serum endocan levels were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0·001). In patients with psoriasis, serum endocan levels correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, hsCRP and cIMT (r = 0·477, P = 0·009; r = 0·484, P = 0·008; r = 0·408, P = 0·02, respectively).

Conclusions:
Circulating endocan may represent a new marker that correlates with cardiovascular risk as well as the severity of disease in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Endocan may be a surrogate endothelial dysfunction marker and may have a functional role in endothelium-dependent pathological disorders. Whether endocan levels could become a treatment target merits further investigation.

Hello just a quick update. I've been on MTX now for about 4/5 weeks and at first I noticed my skin was clearer but now looks very red and noticeable. As for the pain for Psa it's no different but I know it's only early days still. I get very sleepy the day after taking MTX and I'm still taking my folic acid 4 days after. I am still going for fortnightly blood tests which they struggle getting blood out of me (I don't like to part with anything lol) I have got a rheumy appointment at the end of November so hopefully they may up my dose and change my bloods to every 4 weeks.

Hello,
I have had psoriasis for nearly 50 years. It started as a tiny patch on my scalp and at various times in my life it has covered my body so badly that I have been hospitalised for 4-weeks at a time. I have tried dithranol, Betnovate, UVA, PUVA and now I am on my second course of Neotigason which I have been taking 20mg daily for 15 years. I am not absolutely clear but it is manageable and the summer sunshine helps so much. My last liver test showed some raised levels so I might be looking for an alternative treatment. I'm hoping to chat on this forum and find out about the latest treatments and what you all think about them. If I can share my experiences of my life with psoriasis and the treatments I've had to help others, then that is a bonus. Nette

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.

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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.

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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.

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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  

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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.

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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.

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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