Well, here we go. Two days ago was the first injection with Stelera. Starting this journal for myself and it would be awesome if it can help people make a choice in the future. 

Before that, you name it:
Tar (when I was but a child, can't remember much except the horror of having P)
UVB (3 treatments total, the last one, a nice doorpanel that I got to use at home, stopped working just as I was nearing the final top doses)
Vitamine D derivatives creams, sometimes mixed with steroids. But rarely. Helped a bit, never total clearance on either combination)
Psorinovo; dymethilfumerate, slow realise and enteric coated (failed on that after a brief interlude of not taking it. The second round it didn't work, upset intestines, and also in a period of a lot of stress, so... I dunno. Wish it still worked)

Diet; elimination of so-called trigger foods. Does work for some, but not for all, including ArteMie.

Then a long period of trying to avoid biologicals, scared of side effects and going down the slope, never to be seen healthy again...

Humira (end of june to end of august this year. Big fail; high blood liver values within two months, ALAT 177, extremely tired)
Enstillar. ( since last thursday. Always avoided steroids like the plague, but this spray foam is the dogs bollocks, GO steroids! I know it can't be used indefinitely, but wow, what a relief from sore, flake, painful skin. It's almost clear. So; imho this is a quick fix when you're up shit creek ) 

Nursey told me I couldn't take the subcutaneous shots myself, because it's slightly more difficult than Humira. Which I fail to see, after all, didn't I practise setting shots on oranges at the Seafaring Sailing school in Medical Class when training for Sailing Captain school?
Also, she failed, some liquid squirted out after the injection, so it's still to be seen if I received the full dose.

Status now; don't feel any different, still first in line for a midday nap, but that could be because I'm; a) still fighting P b) still recovering from the Humira. btw; my liver is recovering awesomely rapidly, so got the all-clear for Stelera. oh and; c) I love nodding off and napping in the afternoon =] Couch blankets are a Concept in this house

I try to eat good food, not too much sugar, make my own kefir, a healthy probiotic drink. And I love wine : Which I probably shouldn't, but one has to live and have fun.  Wasn't there a lot of sugar in wine? Well, if there is, I'm just gonna deny that, if you don't mind.

   ArteMie

Will clearing P make me feel better? I have a doc that has fast tracked me for Stelara, but I am hesitant because of the health risks. (Cancer etc.) I would also have to take the Twinrex hep A B vaccine which concerns me because of the mercury preservative.

My P is on my elbows, knees, scalp, ears, back, sides and spots all over. One fingernail and toenail have it. The amount is not as bad as it sounds, but getting worse. I can keep it somewhat at bay with my 6 lamp NB UVB light unit.

So my question is: If my P clears, will I feel better? Is the clearing cosmetic or will there be actual physical benefits?
I don't want to risk serious side effects for a cosmetic fix.

Thanks

Hi.  

I have had red spots on my penis for over a year now.  I went to a primary care doctor who said it looked like psoriasis and recommended trying Lamisil and Hydrocortisone 1%.  Neither of those had an effect and he referred me to a dermatologist.  

The dermatologist also said it looks like psoriasis.  He gave me hydrocortisone 2.5% ointment and triamcinolone ointment.  I used those for a few months with not much help, although 5-10% of the area did clear.  When I went back he said that I could continue using the ointment but it may take years and there wasn't much more he could do.  I discontinued using the hydrocortisone 2.5% and triamcinolone.  

I've also had STD testing done to rule out this being an STD.  The STD testing was negative. 

I decided to get a second opinion from another dermatologist.  He said he could not be sure that it is psoriasis without doing a biopsy.  He gave me mometasone ointment and protopic ointment to try first before doing a biopsy.  I used these ointments for 10 days only because they burned REALLY bad.  I went back and told him and he said they shouldn't burn and told me to just try the mometasone and give it one more try.  I tried it once and it burned so badly I had to take a shower after 30 mins to get it off.  I only used it the one time (the second time around).

He gave me another prescription and said if the mometasone burned too bad to try Clobetasol.  However I have googled Clobetasol and it says it is one of the most potent corticosteroids.  I am extremely reluctant to try any more ointments on my penis at this point, let alone a potent one.  It has been 3 months since I used the mometasone/protopic for the 10 days and my penis still hurts.  It hurts now when I masturbate.  I am fearing longterm damage.  

I'm pretty upset at this point and unsure exactly what to do, which is why I am writing this out.  I'm wondering if any members of this community have tried Clobetasol or have an opinion on wether that is safe to put on the penis or not.  

I am thinking I will see a 3rd dermatologist and ask wether these meds (mometasone, protopic, clobetasol) were ok to use on the penis or not.  Also the derm I was seeing said if these don't help the next step is a biopsy to confirm what exactly the red spots are.  He said it is the last resort though because it will leave permanent scarring.  

I'm pretty upset and unsure what to do.  I suppose I will find another dermatologist to get a 3rd opinion before trying ANY more ointments and before doing a biopsy.  I'm also unsure wether doing a biopsy is worth it or not. 

Anyone have any advice on what to do for someone in my situation?  Help! 

Hi everybody! My name is Connor, and I am suffereing from psoriasis for more than 10 years. I tried different treatment methods, but the last year I use only natural methods.
Right now I am pretty sure that all medical drugs cure only the symptoms, this is not bad, but I want to find the reason and eleminate it.
I am happy to join Psoriasis Club, as I am 100% sure that in discussions we can find proper strategy to treat proriasis.

This large Danish study suggests there is an increased risk of bone and cartilage cancer in psoriasis patients.

Quote:

---

Background:
Cancer-associated mortality is increased in psoriasis. However, little is known about the risk of less common cancers.

Objective:
We aimed to evaluate the risk of less common cancers in patients with psoriasis compared to persons without psoriasis using a nationwide cohort study.

Methods:
Between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2012, we identified all Danish patients with a first-time hospital diagnosis of a less common cancer defined as <100 new cases/year/100.000 persons in Denmark. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a diagnosis of cancer.

Results:
We included 4,361,869 individuals. Of these, 58,138 were classified as having psoriasis. After adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and health care consumption, we found significantly elevated hazard ratios for cancers of bone and cartilage (HR 4.97 [2.32-10.62], P<0.0001) in patients with psoriasis on systemic treatment.

Conclusion:
We provide further evidence of an increased cancer of bone and cartilage risk in patients with psoriasis.

Hi everyone
Could someone please let me know if hemp oil has any great affect on controlling psoriasis, and if so how long does it take to work, I have tried various creams from my gp but none never seem to keep it under control for long, I currently use dovobet.
Any replies would be much appreciated.
Chris

There has recently been a lot of talk about Fire Ants being used to fight psoriasis.

Emory and Case Western scientists have said Solenopsins are the main toxic components of fire ant venom. They chemically resemble ceramides, which are lipid-like molecules which have reduced skin thickening and inflammation in a mouse model of psoriasis.

The scientists devised two solenopsin analogs that look like ceramides, but can't be degraded into S1P. They then tested them in a mouse model of psoriasis, applying the compounds in a one percent skin cream for 28 days.

The mice treated with solenopsin analogs displayed decreases in skin thickness compared with controls (about 30 percent). The treated mice also had fewer (around 50 percent less) immune cells infiltrating the skin. When applied to immune cells in culture, the compounds decreased the cells' production of the inflammatory signal IL-22 and increased production of anti-inflammatory IL-12.

More test are needed especially to assess their toxicity and it could be a long way off before it's in use, so don't go putting Fire Ants on your psoriasis.  

*This information is taken from various sources. Thank you to Kezz for the original article but I couldn't publish it.

*Funding: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and Atlanta Clinical & Translational Science Institute.

Hello

All new to this on my 'journey' finding I would like to talk to people who are going through the same as me.  Like to keep things short and to the point so here goes

2009 said I had RA when through mandatory 3 treatments before bios which took 2 years
2011 to 2014. Muddling along moved from Scotland to england! back to scratch as its ANOTHER country
Then in 2016 new consultant said its psoriasis arthritis and as treatment is similar to RA continue with bios, but still no relief so next week going to ask for otezla as now on NICE list can anyone give advise and support

Waiting with hope back in my heart x

Hi everyone. My name is Kath. I have had psoriasis since I was 4. I am 57 so basically all of my life. However, for the first time I have inverse psoriasis and I am really struggling.

Sorry, this may be too much information but it is under my boobs, in the fold of skin under my stomach, at the top of my bottom and even in my belly button. It is very red, inflamed and wet.

I hate steroid cream but am trying it. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what had helped them.

Thanks in advance xx

starting otezla today,, 3 months worth of tablets, fingers crossed,

Does anyone believe biological drugs have caused them to gain weight?

Cos I do.. it would be interesting to hear whether others feel the same. I've enjoyed lovely clear skin all this year but have got bigger - of course it could be unrelated but my weight generally stays about the same normally.

Hey! I suffer all the time from psoriasis and it's getting worse. Need help and hope for future treatment options.

I'll be stopping by periodically. If you are reading this, I'm sorry about your condition. It sucks.

Hi all,

I've been lurking on this site for a while now, so I finally decided to de-lurk.  This is a fantastic forum, thank you all for making it such an interesting and informative site. I've followed Caroline's topics about psorinovo and auto-vaccination, and Bill's amazing thread of how DMF has helped him.

Hmm, not sure what else to say.  Maybe the cat will let go of my tongue at some point.

Cheers,
Kerry

Hi everyone my name is Des and reside in the UK. I have psoriasis on my scalp. I would like to share my opinion on the three Sorion products I started using three weeks ago. I started with the shampoo which I have used every day. I also use the head fluid and the ointment. As I say I have been using the products for three weeks and in my case everything is improving by the day.

I was prescribed Dovabet by my GP which helps but if I missed a couple of days back it came. I know there is no cure but Sorion certainly helps me.

hi guys
here is what i am taking as doctor advise.
Methotrexate 2.5mg five tablets once in a week.
megatar tar base shampoo for my scalp.
this is the third month of treatment with methotrexate.
in the first month, i took three tablets once a week.
second month four tablets once a week.
after two months there is no visible improvement.
there is ointment also which is made by my doctor.i am sure it's not made by any kind of asteroid.from smell  i can say that there is brimstone mixture in it.it is effective  for removing flakes.but when i stop using it flakes come back. 
now i am in my third month of treatment from starting today.
and i am worried about side effects.
pls share your opinions and experience
thanks

Hi all, I'm trying to sort out how to update my profile on the forum, but can't seem to see how to - any info please would be great, thanks.

hi guys
first my enlish is not good as you guys, but i will try my best to write to this intro.
i am Psoriasis sufferer from Pakistan.it started around 7 years ago.in the start, i use some ointments without going to doctor but it worsen my condition.then i consult with a skin doctor who told me its Psoriasis which has no cure.but at that time it was not spread on all my body, so i did not worry about it much.he advises me to use some ointments which help me in the start, and it stayed under control.
but now i don't know what happen it spread on my all body.only my visible areas are not affected that much.
it is making me socially frighten.i don't want others to see my affected skin because maybe they will think something bad about me or they frighten from me because my disease can affect them also.
i am getting treatment from the doctor.he advises me to take 4 pills every week and applying an ointment.i am getting this treatment from two months.
but my condition is still same.the doctor told it would time to control it.but when i see my body it depresses me.
only my wife know about the condition, and she is helping me allot in treatment.i always try to cover my body so nobody can see my affected skin.
so guys this is my Psoriasis sotry.

I've been experiencing terrible break out for the past month. My dermatologist appointment is it until September 13th and I'm running out of options to stop itching can someone please help.

Hello all,

Has anyone here had problems with cellulitis with their psoriasis?  In the last year, I have developed venous insufficiency  in my lower right leg.  A small nick or bump on my leg turned into a wound and required wound care.  Most of last summer, I was wrapped up in dressings for that.  I have palmar/plantar psoriasis.  It improved, but throughout the year, the wound never quite healed.  Now, with the summer heat, it is back again.  My concern is that the cellulitis is lower on my ankle and closer to the cracks on my heel associated with the psoriasis.  I have been on repeat courses of antibiotics when it was appropriate with skin cultures and fever.  My wound care doctor advised me not to have anymore courses of antibiotics.  I understand that I don't want to take too many because of resistance.  I take a good probiotic daily.  My concern is that if there is bacterial infection, it could cause a staff infection or worse.  Can psoriatic patients have more trouble with infection due to open skin in an area close to the cellulitis?  Any thoughts or suggestions?

Hello everyone!

So, after over 2.5 years on Fumaderm, I've unfortunately made the choice to move on to methotrexate as fumaderm was failing. I'm really disappointed that it stopped working, as it was amazing when it worked. I have just picked up my first prescription from the pharmacy for methotrexate, starting on 2.5 mgs.

I was told to take it in the evenings, so the possible nausea won't interfere with my day. Does anyone else have any other advice to help with possible side effects? Also, I asked about alcohol intake, and was told that the odd drink (as long as I wasn't consistently drinking) should be okay. I do like the odd drink or three at the weekend, has anyone had any negative side effects from the odd drink?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply and/or give advice.