I started Amgevita (Adalimumab) 4 weeks ago. All the tablet treatments upset my tummy. No side effects as yet other than feeling a little lightheaded on a very few occasions (lasts seconds)
They are free filled injection pens. Brilliant. I feel nothing. It says to nip the injection site skin together, or stretch out. Now when I had to give my wife injections, I was told not to nip the skin. She said it stressed the skin or something, causing bruising.  So I looked up why they nip skin and its to it absorbs in the fat slower. Stretching the skin does the opposite, so I don't get it.
It also says to inject the belly or top of legs. WHY. Yes, the belly is full of fat but not the upper legs?

Hello everybody ,

Today , friday 8th November i have received the first shot ( 45 mg ) of Stelara.
All made in hospital where a kind nurse showed me how to do the injection ( made on the belly ).
More easy than i expected.
My derm explained me all about that Bio drug including possible side effects.
After some hours all ok.
Let's hope that everything will be ok.

Fingers crossed !!

Hi everybody,

Joined the group several years ago. Talked about some of my problems but that is still hard to do. But the website means a lot to me although I m not responding a lot. I hope you will understand.

I have had DMF, light therapy and MTX the past few years and am now progressing to the biologicals. I read Maryam's journal and discovered that people favour humira to stelara? Or is it the other way around. What should I consider? My intake is at November 18 at the AMC Amsterdam.

This study suggests Cosentyx (secukinumab) could help multiple sclerosis in patients with psoriasis.

Quote:

---

Background:
According to the literature, a significant association between multiple sclerosis and psoriasis has been reported. Among the various drugs used to treat psoriasis, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α inhibitors seemed to increase the incidence of demyelinating diseases while IL‐17A inhibitors seemed to reduce the activity of multiple sclerosis.

Objectives:
The aim of this study is to find out if the use of Secukinumab in patients with psoriasis and multiple sclerosis would be both beneficial and safe.

Methods:
A 45‐years‐old woman affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the treatment for psoriasis. She performed follow‐up visits at the Dermo‐Rheuma Center of Spedali Civili Hospital in Brescia and, after several different therapies, was finally treated with Secukinumab. Outpatient follow‐up visits were performed every two months valuating PASI, joint involvement with CASPAR and DAPSA score and the neurological state with a clinical evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging.

Results:
A significant improvement of both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis was observed with Secukinumab 300 mg administered monthly. PASI 75 was reached at 4 weeks of therapy, PASI 90 at 6 weeks and PASI 100 at 12 weeks. At 24 months of treatment PASI 100 was still maintained, no neurological symptoms were reported and multiple sclerosis remained stable over time.

Conclusions:
The blockade of IL‐17A with Secukinumab could be a safe and very promising therapeutic option for patients with psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.

Hi hoping to find likeminded people how understand what it like to suffer with psoriasis and the day to day humdrum that’s involved so to all hope to chat soon ?

This cohort study looked at cardiovascular events in patients with psoriasis.

Quote:

---

Background:
The cardiovascular safety profile of biologic therapies used for psoriasis is unclear.

Objectives:
To compare the risk of major cardiovascular events (CVEs; acute coronary syndrome, unstable angina, myocardial infarction and stroke) in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis treated with adalimumab, etanercept or ustekinumab in a large prospective cohort.

Methods:
Prospective cohort study examining the comparative risk of major CVEs was conducted using the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR). The main analysis compared adults with chronic plaque psoriasis receiving ustekinumab with tumour necrosis‐α inhibitors (TNFi: etanercept and adalimumab) while the secondary analyses compared ustekinumab, etanercept, or methotrexate against adalimumab. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using overlap weights by propensity score to balance baseline covariates among comparison groups.

Results:
We included 5,468 biologic‐naïve patients subsequently exposed (951 ustekinumab; 1,313 etanercept; and 3,204 adalimumab) in the main analysis. The secondary analyses also included 2,189 patients receiving methotrexate. The median (p25 – p75) follow up times for patients using ustekinumab, TNFi, adalimumab, etanercept and methotrexate were: 2.01 (1.16 – 3.21), 1.93 (1.05 – 3.34), 1.94 (1.09 – 3.32), 1.92 (0.93 – 3.45) and 1.43 (0.84 – 2.53) years, respectively. Ustekinumab, TNFi, adalimumab, etanercept and methotrexate groups had 7, 29, 23, 6 and 9 patients experiencing major CVEs, respectively. No differences in the risk of major CVEs were observed between biologic therapies (adjusted HR for ustekinumab vs TNFi: 0.96 [95%CI 0.41 – 2.22]; ustekinumab vs adalimumab: 0.81 [0.30 – 2.17]; etanercept vs adalimumab: 0.81 [0.28 – 2.30]) and methotrexate against adalimumab (1.05 [0.34 – 3.28]).

Conclusions:
In this large prospective cohort study, we found no significant differences in the risk of major CVEs between three different biologic therapies and methotrexate. Additional studies, with longer term follow‐up, are needed to investigate the potential effects of biologic therapies on incidence of major CVEs.

I started having psoriasis in my 20s (around 1997)   Wasn't surprised and knew what it was since my mom had it.  It got progressively worse as the years went by and I believe it was due to stress (work related).

2006:  Finally decided to do something about it and went to see a dermatologist.   

She was batshit crazy.

1. she made me strip naked
2. put on gloves and was grabbing my limbs with the tips of her fingers
3. then told me I had psoriasis .... (no shit sherlock)
4. told me to take a bath only twice a week but slap on the greasiest cream I could find twice a day and gave me a prescription for Dovobet and something for my scalp

Let's just say I never went back.  I'd rather live with the psoriasis and shower every day!

Winter 2008: I wake up one morning and feel like I got run over by a train.  

Try everything I can put my hands on but after about three weeks, decide to go see a doctor as it is to a point where I'm having trouble driving cause I can't move my neck!

result:  acute arthritis attack

Medication: Celebrex for about 3 weeks

2008 to 2013:  Arthritis is getting worse and psoriasis also

2013:  Got referred to a new dermatologist.  She was excellent.

1. Just looked at me and touched the plaques with no gloves 
2. Gave me a book to read about psoriasis and possible treatments so we could discuss which way to go at the next appointment

Medication:  Metothrexate

2014:  No side effects. Psoriasis is all gone but it doesn't work for the arthritis

My dermatologist wants to send me for a liver biopsy because I've been on MTX for a year even if my blood work tests are ok.

Therefore, I stop MTX as I don't want to do a biopsy

Of course, the psoriasis all came back with a vengeance

2015: Tired of being in pain so back to the doctor who refers me to a rheumatologist

Medication: MTX for about 6 months, psoriasis went away but does nothing for the arthritis.  No side effects.

2016: The guinea pig experiments begin!

Medication:

1. Leflunomide:  again works well for the psoriasis but does nothing for the arthritis

2. Humira: took it for about two months but my face swelled up.  

Result: stop Humira and on prednisone for about a month to reduce the swelling.  Psoriasis starts to come back

2017: Stelara:  Psoriasis goes away
2018: Stelara is not helping with the arthritis.  Stop Stelara and get a prescription for Cosentyx

End of may: in between Stelara and Cosentyx, start to experience chest pains on the left side.  I don't have a cold or anything else however my boss was away from work due to a weird virus.  Wait three weeks (until I am crying because of the pain and can't sleep) before going to the doctor.  

Appointment at the doc in the morning: walk out with a prescription for prednisone and dilaudid plus a paper to go for a chest Xray.  Go for the chest Xray and then to work

late afternoon (4h30):  Get a panicked call from my hubby saying I have to go the the clinic to pick up a piece of paper and head straight to the ER.....result from Xray: possible pulmonary embolism

Spend over 12 hours at the ER (all night)....they passed a woman (in her 30s) with an ear ache before me because she kept comlaining to the nurse.  I was sitting patiently and waiting for my turn      Lesson learned:  Complaining, crying and making a scene will get you seen by a doctor faster.

Did a heart test and a CT scan at about 5 am the next day and got sent home with a promise from the doctor that I will get a phone call with the result.

result:  inflammation and liquid around the left side of the heart and left lung.

On prednisone for about two months and a paper to do a second CT scan three months later

Cosentyx is put on hold

August:  Rheumatologist says that since the internal organs are affected, I have lupus (still don't believe this), put on azathioprine 100 mg.

Beginning of October:  Second scan done.   All is good
November: Rheumatologist gives the ok to start Cosentyx 150 mg but reduces the azathioprine to 50 mg. 
December: Sick as a dog, take a pause from Cosentyx until I feel better

2019: Start Cosentyx in February

August: Rheumatologist increases the Cosentyx dose to 300 mg as 150 is not doing anything for the arthritis

September: After my second dose of 300 mg, get sick as a dog and sound like a rattlesnake

Medication: 
Prednisone
Antibiotics
2 inhalors

October: got the all clear to continue Cosentyx and a referral for a pulmonary capacity test (appointment in January 2020).  Therefore, took my 3rd dose of 300 mg

Hi,

Are you experiencing Raynaud`s disease/phenomenon and if so, what did your doctor recommend or prescribe?

What is Raynaud's

Raynaud's disease causes some areas of your body — such as your fingers and toes — to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress. In Raynaud's disease, smaller arteries that supply blood to your skin narrow, limiting blood circulation to affected areas.

Symptoms can include:

• Cold fingers or toes
  
  
• Color changes in your skin in response to cold or stress
  
  
• Numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain upon warming or stress relief
  

• Connective tissue diseases. Most people who have a rare disease that leads to hardening and scarring of the skin (scleroderma) have Raynaud's.
  
  
• Other diseases that increase the risk of Raynaud's include lupus and arthritis.
  
  
• Diseases of the arteries. These include a buildup of plaques in blood vessels that feed the heart (atherosclerosis), a disorder in which the blood vessels of the hands and feet become inflamed (Buerger's disease), and a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries of the lungs (primary pulmonary hypertension).
  
  
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition involves pressure on a major nerve to your hand, producing numbness and pain in the hand that can make the hand more susceptible to cold temperatures.
  
  
• Repetitive action or vibration. Typing, playing piano or doing similar movements for long periods and operating vibrating tools, such as jackhammers, can lead to overuse injuries.
  
  
• Smoking. Smoking constricts blood vessels.
  
  
• Injuries to the hands or feet
  

This study suggests neutral to favourable long term trends in metabolic and liver parameters under Cosentyx (secukinumab) treatment.

Quote:

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Background:
Psoriasis is associated with metabolic, liver and cardiovascular comorbidity. Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A), has shown significant and sustained efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis.

Objectives:
This was an exploratory post hoc analysis of pooled data from three phase 3 studies in plaque psoriasis patient populations. The objective was to show the course of metabolic and liver parameters under secukinumab, etanercept, or placebo treatment over time. A further objective was to assess the impact of selected comorbidities and metabolic characteristics on high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), as a surrogate marker of systemic inflammation.

Methods:
Data from the phase 3 randomised controlled trials (FIXTURE [NCT01358578], ERASURE [NCT01365455], and SCULPTURE [NCT01406938]; n=3010) were included in this analysis. Patients were treated with secukinumab 150 mg or 300 mg, placebo or etanercept 50 mg (FIXTURE only) as active comparator. A set of metabolic and liver parameters was longitudinally assessed over 52 weeks. Multivariate regression analyses assessed the impact of selected comorbidities and metabolic characteristics on hs‐CRP levels at baseline and under treatment.

Results:

Secukinumab treatment reduced hs‐CRP levels. Body weight and uric acid levels tended to decrease over 52 weeks with secukinumab. Secukinumab showed a neutral effect on fasting plasma glucose, lipid parameters and liver enzymes. Psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, and hyperuricemia were each associated with increased hs‐CRP levels at baseline. Concomitant obesity attenuated the decline in hs‐CRP under treatment.

Conclusions:
These analyses suggest neutral to favourable long term trends in metabolic and liver parameters under secukinumab treatment. Metabolic comorbidities were associated with increased hs‐CRP levels, reflecting the role of systemic inflammatory processes in their pathophysiology.

Hi Everyone,

Been almost 2 years since I posted, so apologies for my absence! I've noticed a number of people sharing their experience with Skilarence and I just thought I'd do the same, in case it could help anyone.

I've had guttate psoriasis 8/9 years. Not sure of any of my scores, but my derm considers it severe. I have tried topical treatments with no success as well as light treatment with limited success. Approx 4 years ago I was put on Fumaderm and it was like magic, 100% clear. 2 years ago I did have a mini flare up when my dosage was reduced too low but it corrected itself once I increased my dosage and it stayed steady on 4x120mg a day.

This summer I was moved onto skilarence. Initially I noticed no difference, except I had no side effects. Literally no flushing which I used get with Fumaderm every couple of weeks. After 6/7 weeks on skilarence I had noticed a few spots here and there, however nothing to be worried about. At the start of September I got the flu and 2 weeks later I encountered my first full blown flare up in 4 years. I have since been moved up to 6x120mg a day and the hope is it will bring things under control. I am currently on the higher dosage just over 2 weeks so it may take more time to kick in. I will keep this updated for anyone going through something similar.

So far I definitely think Fumaderm was the better drug, but beggars can't be choosers and I'm gonna stay optimistic for Skilarence

If anyone has any suggestions on supplements that can be taken with skilarence please let me know, I am considering getting Vitamin D tablets and have seen people mention Omega 3???

Hi, I'm John. Been battling with Plaque psoriasis for a few years now. I'm pretty sure got it from taking Rivaroxaban (Xarelto). Had been on Warfarin for 16yrs + and body was no longer having it.  Now on Pradaxa and blood is good. Plaque not so good. Derm started me with cream and injections, he loved those injections.  Sadly they only briefly help out and help his wallet and hurt mine.

Primary Dr put me on Acitretin and about the same time I went on Keto and have lost 50lbs in a year and 80 lbs total. I did go off the acitretin for a month since I was almost 100% clear was hoping it was the clean diet. But alas it wasn't and went back on the drug. I have almost every side effect they list, and as I was searching the net I see more added that I hadn't put down as the medicine as well. Losing my eyebrows and eyelashes was no big deal. Hair loss also doable, the skin on fire and scratching my face and knees just about unbearable.  Would wake up bloody each morning, from scratching.  Night blindness and messing with my head I can't bear any longer. Months ago had asked the Dr to change up the med, but she didn't want me to have to start over with all new side effects. I've been on it for over a year and 2 weeks ago took my last dose.  

Had an awful day and made it through but was searching for ways to see how to get it out of my system. Found this group and hope to gain some insight and try out the next treatment for me. Going cold turkey for a bit, to let my body rest. It's no longer short season and mine is normally on my knees, elbows, feet. Praying the medicine will wear off and get my head back together and nails no longer cracked, chipped and thin so thin I get cut/scratched, like when I was on Warfarin.  

Sorry for such a long intro. Not looking forward to the recurrence and snow storm that follows me and my side of the bed.
Thanks for listening.
John

Oddly enough, I only recently heard of lazer therapy.  I was a bit surprised when my dermatologist offered it as a bit of a "let's see if this works while we regroup" type of thing. So I am now going for appointments twice per week for XTRAC.

So a little history, I was on three biologics, Stelara, Cosentyx and Taltz.  I did not notice any big improvements while on them.  There were times when it looked a bit better, but then would go back.  So this is where I am currently.

I should tell you that behind my ears and inside ears HAS improved!  About 3 weeks ago, the doctor took me off Taltz and started the process of getting the Lazer therapy approved.  Immediately after that appointment, I started using Taclonex again as I did not want to go backwards.  I had told the doctor a few times that the biologics along WITH the Taclonex would show improvement but she stated that I shouldn't need the Taclonex while on the biologic (as in the biologic should work on it's own)  So since I didn't want to skew things by using both, I stopped the Taclonex except for very few times when the scalp was REALLY bothering me.  I mention all of this as to be honest, I don't know now if finally the Taltz started to work or if it has been these last few weeks using the Taclonex, but my ear is clear and behind it is only slightly raised and red.  I am going with the Taclonex or combination of the two.

Anyway, I started Laser therapy this week.  Today was my second appointment.  I won't provide pictures because I just can't get decent ones of my scalp due to it being the back of my head mostly and the hair covering.  I know for those of you who followed my other journeys how much you will miss those ear pictures!    But I will let you know if it works.  Although my ear area is improved, the scalp area is still scaly (although it also improved a bit, just not nearly as much as the ear area, but it is much easier to apply topical to the ear and behind the ear as opposed to under areas covered by hair)

From what they say, I should notice results between 6-10 sessions, clearance between 10-20 sessions and it lasts for about 3-6 months. 

So right now I'm on a bit more of short term solutions. I will let you know how it goes and also let you know how unhappy I am making the rheumatologist next time I see him.  But I do NOT miss those Taltz injections 

Editing to add: The XTRAC is only being used on my scalp, NOT ear area at all currently. That's another reason why no pics, since this is about the laser therapy which currently isn't being used on or behind ears. I need to ask why because I honestly don't know. It's a nurse doing the treatment.

Eli Lilly makers of Taltz say they have beaten Tremfya in a head to head study.

Quote:

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Eli Lilly today presented detailed data at the 5th Annual Maui Derm NP+PA Fall meeting from the Phase 4 IXORA-R study, the first head-to-head (H2H) study between an IL-17A inhibitor and an IL-23/p19 inhibitor using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 100 score as the primary endpoint. Taltz met the primary endpoint of superiority vs. TREMFYA in the proportion of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis achieving complete skin clearance as measured by PASI 100 at Week 12, as well as key secondary endpoints. The study is ongoing through Week 24.

"Healthcare providers and patients value speed of response when evaluating treatment options for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis," said lead study investigator Andrew Blauvelt, M.D., M.B.A., dermatologist and president of Oregon Medical Research Center in Portland, OR. "The results from the IXORA-R study demonstrate that Taltz was effective in helping more patients achieve completely clear skin by Week 12, with a 50 percent improvement in skin plaques seen as early as Week 1."

The primary endpoint of the study was superiority for Taltz compared to TREMFYA in the proportion of patients achieving complete skin clearance as measured by PASI 100 at Week 12. Key secondary endpoints included superiority over TREMFYA in the proportion of patients achieving PASI 75 at Week 2, PASI 90 at Weeks 4 and 8, PASI 100 at Weeks 4, 8 and 24, static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) 0 at Week 12 and PASI 50 at Week 1.

Patients treated with Taltz demonstrated statistically significantly higher improvements than those treated with TREMFYA as measured by PASI 100 at Week 12 (41.3 percent versus 24.9 percent, P<0.001). Additionally, all major secondary endpoints up to Week 12 were achieved (P<0.001).

"As new medicines become available for people living with psoriasis, there's an increasing need to directly compare the efficacy and safety of these treatments to help healthcare providers and patients make informed treatment decisions," said Rhonda Pacheco, Pharm.D., global brand development leader for immunology at Lilly. "These results demonstrate that Taltz can provide high levels of skin clearance early in treatment for people with psoriasis."

A total of 1,027 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were enrolled in the study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Taltz compared to TREMFYA. Participants were randomized to receive Taltz or TREMFYA at the approved dose for a total of 24 weeks, with the primary analysis conducted at 12 weeks.

In IXORA-R, the safety profiles of Taltz and TREMFYA were consistent with those previously reported for both treatments. As the IXORA-R study is ongoing, not all data will be presented at this meeting to prevent unblinding for investigators and participants. Lilly plans to share results on the remaining key secondary endpoint of proportion of patients achieving PASI 100 at 24 weeks in 2020.

I'm starting some various at-home treatments for my skin.  Over the weekend I combined 2 cups baking soda with colloidal oatmeal bath.  This combination really seems to help with itching and redness, and making the bumpy/lumpy plaques much softer and less prominent.  This bath treatment by far has given me the greatest relief I've had in over a year and noticeable change in the appearance (from almost black to lightish-red/dark pink).

I ordered Dead Sea Salts (which are very pricey) and I'm going to try that in a bath tomorrow morning or evening and compare with the baking soda/oatmeal.

I've started taking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in the morning diluted in a full glass of water.

One turmeric/curcumin supplement mid day with a meal.

I have been applying the mometasone cream at night before bedtime.  It's indicated to apply twice daily however I run out the cream early due the amount of area I have to apply, so I've limited that to once a day.

Mornings I have applied either coconut oil or CeraVe psoriasis cream.  I have noticed that the coconut oil works much better than the CeraVe (and is less expensive).

I'm trying to limit sugar and processed foods, nightshades (makes me sad, I love tomatoes).

3x a week - 12 min sessions in UVB tanning bed.  I also have the dermalight wand, which I think possibly works better than the tanning bed.  The only drawback to the dermalight wand is the amount of time involved treating.  It can take up to an hour and a half of 1 min sessions on each site vs. 12 mins for all over coverage in a tanning bed.  I'm considering taking a break from the tanning bed and trying the dermalight at home and see if there's a difference.

Happy Tuesday!
Lillie

This study looked at tattoo complications in psoriasis patients.

Quote:

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Background:
Tattooing is a widespread phenomenon, with an estimated prevalence of 10–30% in Western populations. For psoriasis patients, current recommendations are to avoid having a tattoo if the disease is active and they are receiving immunosuppressive treatments. Although scientific data supporting these recommendations is lacking, dermatologists are often reluctant to advocate tattooing in psoriasis patients.

Objective:
We aimed to evaluate the frequency of tattoo complications in patients with psoriasis and determine if the occurrence of complications was associated with psoriasis status and treatments received at the time of tattooing.

Methods:
We performed a multicentre cross‐sectional study. Adults with psoriasis were consecutively included and classified as tattooed or non‐tattooed. Prevalence of complications associated with tattoos was then evaluated according to psoriasis onset and treatments. The study was divided into three parts, in which data were collected through a series of questionnaires filled in by the dermatologist. Complications included pruritus, oedema, allergic reaction/eczema, infection/superinfection, granuloma, lichenification, photosensitivity, Koebner phenomenon and psoriasis flare after tattooing. Diagnosis of complications was made retrospectively.

Results:
We included 2053 psoriatic patients, 20.2% had 894 tattoos. Amongst non‐tattooed patients, 15.4% had wished to be tattooed, with psoriasis being stated as a reason for not having a tattoo by 44.0% and 5.7% indicating that they planned to have a tattoo in the future. Local complications, such as oedema, pruritus, allergy and Koebner phenomenon were reported in tattoos in 6.6%, most frequently in patients with psoriasis requiring treatment at the time of tattooing (p<0.0001). No severe complications were reported.

Conclusions:
The rate of tattoo complications in psoriasis patients was low. Although the risk of complications was highest amongst patients with psoriasis requiring treatment at the time of tattooing, all the complications observed were benign. These results can be helpful for practitioners to give objective information to patients.

This study suggests effective periodontal therapy improves the psoriasis condition in patients afflicted by both diseases.

Quote:

---

Aim:
The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical study was to evaluate the effect of non‐surgical mechanical periodontal therapy on the inflammatory status and severity of psoriasis in subjects with psoriasis.

Material and methods:
The study population consisted of 92 periodontitis patients with psoriasis vulgaris suffering from an untreated periodontal disease. Two randomized groups were formed from these patients. Immediate periodontal therapy (test group, n = 46) and delayed periodontal therapy (control group, n = 46). Periodontal clinical measures, on salivary interleukin 2, interleukin 6 and secretory immunoglobulin A levels and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores were evaluated at baseline and on the 8th week in control and test groups.

Results:
8 weeks after completion of non‐surgical periodontal therapy (test group) or initial examination (control group), a significant decrease was observed in interleukin 2, interleukin 6 level and in PASI score, whereas a significant increase was observed in secretory immunoglobulin A levels in the test group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Within the limits of this study, the results suggest that effective periodontal therapy improves the psoriasis condition in patients afflicted by both diseases.

Hi Fred or someone!

I wanted to start a thread and accidentally pressed God knows what and it got posted....can you delete it?  Please!

Thanks

Hi everyone!  I'm happy to have found this forum while doing a  google search for natural remedies.  I was diagnosed around 1983 (about 10 years old) with a generic "psoriasis" diagnosis.  In the beginning it covered both of my legs.  I don't recall at the time if they gave me any treatment?  That was thirty some odd years ago....

In my twenties it emerged again on my scalp, a spot here and there on my arms, elbows, back, stomach.  Using various natural and over-the-counter lotions, creams, and sunlight/tanning beds have kept it pretty under control and felt very fortunate.

Two years ago, during an extremely stressful period of my life, it explodes on my scalp and I lost all of my hair. Well, half of my hair and then I cut the rest off because I was tired of handfuls coming out in the shower every day.  I'm happy to say my hair has grown back fuller and thicker than ever and my scalp has calmed down.  Currently, I use shea moisture coconut oil on my hair about every other day, massaging through hair and scalp and leave it on overnight.  Coconut oil has seemed to provide the best relief for my scalp.

But a year ago the rest of my skin went nuts with P.  Arms, elbows, torso, legs, back.  At that time, I'm guessing it was covering about 60% of my body.  I've been using a combination of prescribed steroid cream (Mometasone), coconut oil, UVB tanning bed 2-3x a week, CeraVe Psoriasis Cream, and now adding baking soda baths.  My family doctor prescribes the Mometasone and asked me if I wanted to be referred to a dermatologist however I don't have any health insurance right now.  I'm interested in natural/cost friendly treatments.

I've had many flares and remissions over my life.  It doesn't seem to be triggered by anything consistently other than stressful times.  Hangs around a year or a couple and then fades away again.  The baking soda baths have given me much relief from the itching, redness, scaling.  This flare has been going on exactly a year so far, but it is getting better and gradually clearing.  I would estimate it's down to about 30% of my body.

I've found so much great information here already, and it's a comfort to know there are people out there who understand.   

Glad to be here, this seems like a great group!
Lillie

Could images help in psoriasis diagnosis in parts of China ?

Quote:

---

Background:
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which holds a high incidence in China. However, professional dermatologists who can diagnose psoriasis early and correctly are insufficient in China, especially in the rural areas. A smart approach to identify psoriasis by pictures would be highly adaptable countrywide, and could play a useful role in early diagnosis and regular treatment of psoriasis.

Objectives:
Design and evaluation of a smart psoriasis identification system based on clinical images (without relying on a dermatoscope) that works effectively similar to a dermatologist.

Methods:
A set of deep learning models using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were explored and compared in the system for automatic identification of psoriasis. The work was carried out on a standardized dermatological dataset with 8021 clinical images of 9 common disorders including psoriasis along with full electronic medical records of patients built over the last 9 years in China. A two‐stage deep neural network was designed and developed to identify psoriasis. In the first stage, a multi‐label classifier was trained to learn the visual patterns for each individual skin disease. In the second stage, the output of the first stage were utilized to distinguish psoriasis from other skin diseases.

Results:
The area under the curve (AUC) of the two‐stage model reached 0.981±0.015, which outperforms a single‐stage model. And the classifier showed superior performance (missed diagnosis rate: 0.04, misdiagnosis rate: 0.03) than 25 Chinese dermatologists (missed diagnosis rate: 0.09, misdiagnosis rate: 0.27) in the diagnosis of psoriasis on 100 clinical images.

Conclusions:
Using clinical images to identify psoriasis is feasible and effective based on CNNs, which also builds a solid technical base for smart care of skin diseases especially psoriasis using mobile/tablet applications for teledermatology in China.

hi all, I’m new to the forum.  I started taking Skilerence three weeks ago and Ive worked my way up to 120 mg per day so far.  Side effects are ok at the moment. A bit of skin irritation but only lasts 10-20mins so bearable.  The only thing is that my skin looks worse! Is this something that can happen? Does it look worse before it gets better or does it take a while to kick in if it works? Confused.