Hi Everyone, I'm new here, and wonder why I'd never stumbled across this forum in my searches before. From what I've seen thus far the community seems awesome, and very helpful. I found the forum searching for info on Taltz. I recently started Humira but more about that later. 

I recently turned 40, this month, lol. I was first suspected of having Psoriasis around 28... undiagnosed. Looking back I now think it started back in my early 20's it was slow to progress. Most recently (past 2 years) developing on my knees, elbows, and hands. I couldn't hide it anymore. 

I tried multitudes of creams and home remedies. None ever really worked, and never really worked for more than two weeks. 

I finally found a derm that seems to care, and he put me on Humira. I've done my loading dose of 2 pens followed by 1 pen 8 days later. In two weeks I begin the normal dosing of 1 pen every two weeks. 

I was about to say well thats who I am, but then I would be saying that psoriasis defines me. Which it doesn't... anymore. 

So far I'm happy with the results from Humira. More so than any other treatment I've tried.

Lilly will present data on Taltz at the annual European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV).

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-- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) will highlight clinical and patient-related health outcomes data evaluating Taltz® (ixekizumab) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at the annual European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV), which will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2016, in Vienna, Austria.

A total of 17 abstracts, including eight oral abstracts with one late-breaker presentation, will feature sub-analyses from pivotal Phase 3 data of Taltz for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis across a number of areas.

"EADV represents a tremendous opportunity for dermatologists to exchange information that helps better address unmet needs for patients," said Dr. Lotus Mallbris, Lilly's global brand development leader for Taltz. "Lilly is excited to support the evolution of new treatments in dermatology as we share new data for Taltz in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis."

Hi all,

I am new to this forum so sure how it works.

I have Psoriasis on my scalp elbows parts of my legs, but the worse is on my hands, I am in agony day and night,I have been given so many different creams but none of them seem to work on my hands. 

Any advise with be very much appreciated please.

Thank you.

This will be my new thread about my journey on Cosentyx.

As some may know I've been on Stelara for just over six years now and it's time to move on to something else as it's not working as well as it used to for me. You can read my journey on Stelara in these two threads if you're interested:
Stelara 16 Months On.
Stelara round two

But this about Cosentyx.

My main concern is keeping the psoriatic arthritis under control as this is the thing that causes me the most problems, so I'm going to be monitoring how well Cosentyx can help me for that.  



It comes in injections of 150mg, and one dose is two shots = 300mg

The starting dose is 300mg for 5 weeks and then a maintenance dose of 300mg and I shall be starting on the 1st October 2016 (this Saturday) Don't ask me why, but they gave me 4 doses today and I have to phone for #5

#1 1st Oct two shots of 150mg = 300mg.
#2 8th Oct two shots of 150mg = 300mg.
#3 15th Oct two shots of 150mg = 300mg.
#4 22nd Oct two shots of 150mg = 300mg.
#5 29th Oct two shots of 150mg = 300mg
From there I will be taking two shots of 150mg = 300mg every 4 weeks.

It comes in two types of shot. A pre filled Syringe and an Auto injector (Pen). I prefer using the syringes as seen in this image.



Like I said the psoriatic arthritis is more important to me and I shall be using the score systems on Psoriasis Club to keep track of my progress.
https://psoriasisclub.org/psoriasisscore.php
https://psoriasisclub.org/psoriaticarthritisscore.php

I do currently have a little bit of psoriasis on the front of my leg that has popped up so I'll put an image here. This is usually at the end of my 12 weeks run on Stelara and it's been 13 now.


Now to check my scores:

Psoriasis: 3

Psoriatic arthritis: 5

The biggest test will be when the weather changes, at the moment we are still having good weather so the psoriatic arthritis isn't too bad.

Now I just wait till Saturday and will report back when I've taken the first two shots.

*You are welcome to post in this thread, but please try to keep it On Topic.

Another bio in the pipeline, risankizumab an IL-23 inhibitor by AbbVie will have data presented at the 25th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV), September 28 - October 2, in Vienna, Austria. They will also be presenting new data on Humira.

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AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that new data on HUMIRA® (adalimumab) and investigational medicine risankizumab (formerly BI 655066), an IL-23 inhibitor, will be presented at the 25th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV), September 28 - October 2, in Vienna, Austria. These presentations build upon AbbVie's continued scientific leadership in serious dermatological conditions including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa.

"AbbVie's presence at EADV 2016 highlights the latest scientific research in difficult-to-treat skin conditions, including data underscoring the considerable impact these diseases can have on a person's physical, social and emotional wellbeing and the need for quality care," said Shao-Lee Lin, Vice President Therapeutic Areas and International Development, AbbVie. "Additionally, building on our deep experience over more than 18 years in immunology with HUMIRA, we are excited to present the latest results of data evaluating investigational compound risankizumab, an IL-23 biologic for patients living with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis."

New data from studies evaluating investigational IL-23 monoclonal biologic antibody, risankizumab, will be presented from the Phase 2 open-label extension study in moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

AbbVie will also present HUMIRA two-year safety and efficacy results for the treatment of moderate to severe HS, as well as multiple health economics outcomes research studies revealing the real-world burden of HS on patients and demonstrating AbbVie's commitment to the underserved HS community. Further, new seven year interim results from the ESPRIT 10-year post-marketing surveillance safety registry of HUMIRA will report safety and effectiveness of HUMIRA treatment for moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Hey guys, I'm Sam. Im a 22 year old male. My mum has psoriasis and up until recently I thought I was spared. Ended up getting a serious throat infection and having a psoriasis outbreak afterwards. Also around this time Id broken up with my first girlfriend and was very stressed which effects it alongside a chaotic lifestyle in which I was heavily drinking, smoking and using illicit drugs. Psoriasis came in waves and up until july was manageable apart from on my legs. Tried putting coconut oil on them after recommendation from a friend and the condition worsened getting very itchy, I picked at it constantly thinking I might have scarred it. Ended up going to doctors and got prescribed Dovobet. It all went downhill from here. Dovobet whilst working at first triggered a massive reaction in me. Ended up getting it on my scalp, genitals thighs, heavily on lower legs, moderately on arms and back. Needless to say I was mortified. Have since got it slightly under control by giving up smoking and drinking and taking drugs less alongside the use of lecithin, dermol 500, chlorella, meditation and citrus fruits. This has massively impacted my self steem and I find it's making me very tired alot of the time. Any help would be appreciated, Glad to be a part of this community as feel a bit uncomfortable bringing it up around friends sometimes.

This study was to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of weekly oral pulse doses of azathioprine for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis, and to determine the side effects of this regimen both clinically and biochemically.

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Background:
Azathioprine is a potent immunosuppressive drug that has been used in many immune-mediated diseases. There are a few reports of its use in psoriasis; however, azathioprine weekly pulse doses have not been evaluated in this disease.

Aim:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of weekly oral pulse doses of azathioprine for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis, and to determine the side effects of this regimen both clinically and biochemically.

Methods:
In this open-label clinical trial, a 300 mg bolus dose of azathioprine was given once every week orally for 24 weeks to patients with chronic plaque psoriasis having body surface area involvement of ≥ 10% and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of ≥ 10. Patients were evaluated every 4 weeks for 24 weeks to determine the response to treatment and any adverse effects (AEs), and then followed up for a further period of 12 weeks to determine any relapse of the disease.

Results:
There were 50 patients in the study, of whom 28 (56%) completed the 24 weeks of treatment and 27 (54%) completed the 12-week post-treatment follow-up. Azathioprine 300 mg weekly pulse was effective in achieving PASI 75 in 42% of patients, PASI 90 in 36% of patients and PASI 100 in 22% of patients. In five patients (10%), the therapy had to be withdrawn due to AEs.

Conclusion:
Weekly azathioprine pulse appears to be an effective treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis, and can be used as an alternative therapy to other available therapeutic agents.

This study set out to evaluate quantitatively the TNF-α-neutralizing activity of the plasma of patients with psoriasis during TNF-α antagonist therapy and to determine poor responders objectively.

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Background:
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonist therapy is currently used for moderate and severe psoriasis. However, this treatment has several drawbacks, including interindividual variability in clinical response and secondary loss of effectiveness.

Objectives:
To evaluate quantitatively the TNF-α-neutralizing activity of the plasma of patients with psoriasis during TNF-α antagonist therapy and to determine poor responders objectively.

Methods:
We used a human interleukin-8 reporter monocyte cell line, THP-G8, that harbours a stable luciferase orange (SLO) gene under the control of the interleukin-8 promoter. After confirming its dose-dependent response to exogenous TNF-α, we examined the suppressive activity of TNF-α antagonists and of the patients’ plasma during TNF-α antagonist therapy on TNF-α-induced SLO luciferase activity (TNF-SLO-LA).

Results:
Pretreatment of TNF-α with TNF-α antagonists or with the plasma of patients with psoriasis who achieved 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) dose dependently suppressed TNF-SLO-LA. There was a significant correlation between change in PASI and percentage suppression (inhibitory rate of a 1 : 2 dilution of patient plasma on TNF-SLO-LA). A percentage suppression of 50·3% has a positive predictive value of 87% of achieving PASI 75, with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 80%.

Conclusions:
Therapeutic monitoring of patients with psoriasis during TNF-α antagonist therapy using THP-G8 can provide a useful tool to determine objectively the efficacy of the administered TNF-α antagonists.

This review by Spherix Global Insights a business intelligence and market research company suggests that more and more US rheumatologists are prescribing Cosentyx for psoriatic arthritis

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US rheumatologists are increasingly adopting Novartis’ IL-17 inhibitor, Cosentyx, into their treatment algorithm for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Cosentyx users report high levels of satisfaction and excitement about the results their PsA patients are achieving with the latest biologic, with over one-quarter of current users citing that they are extremely satisfied with the agent. Furthermore, half of current non-users anticipate initiating trial of Cosentyx within the next three months.

With Cosentyx prescriptions in PsA on the rise, over one-third of rheumatologists believe that Janssen’s Stelara is the most likely to be replaced. Additionally, one-third of rheumatologists also report that Cosentyx has a significant efficacy advantage over Stelara.

With respect to Celgene’s Otezla, rheumatologists believe Cosentyx has a significant advantage over Otezla regarding efficacy in PsA. Indeed, rheumatologists report lower overall satisfaction with the PDE4 inhibitor than with the biologics available in PsA.

Cosentyx appears to be paving the PsA highway for IL-17 inhibitors, much like it paved the way for early adoption of Eli Lilly’s Taltz (ixekizumab) in Psoriasis. Indeed, the vast majority of surveyed rheumatologists foresee a role for Taltz, as well as for Valeant and AstraZeneca’s Siliq (brodalumab) in the future treatment of PsA. Furthermore, the majority of rheumatologists agree that the addition of IL-17 inhibitors as treatment options will greatly improve their ability to efficiently treat PsA.

Hi Folks I'm Back ! having been taken off the Ixekizumab trial and my skin has returned to NORMAL moderate to severe scaling I have now been prescribed FUMADERM, started Mon 12/09 2016. To begin I am on one (Fumaderm Initial) 30mg tab per day for the first week increasing each week by +1 30mg tab for four weeks then moving on to full dose 120mg and increasing weekly until I reach the max dose which I think is x 2 120mg 3 times a day then reducing the dose untilI find the lowest dose that keeps my skin clear. having been clear for over 6 months while on the Ixekizumab I am taking bad with having to deal with full blown psoriasis and am Hoping this will finally be my fix.

Has anyone tried the diet where you do not eat Nightshade family of food to elliminate psoriasis?
I have heard that this has worked for many. I would really appreciate if anyone has experience of this.

Does any one have any opinion on smoking tobacco and what if any side effects it may have on plaque psoriasis. 

I have read it can be a problem.   

what is your take on it?

Hi
I am a 46y/o guy I have had psoriasis most of my life.  In more recent years I have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis as well.  I have moved from several messy creams, light treatment, pills, and Enbrel, Stelara, and Humira injections.  Most recently I have had an acute reaction to Humira after moving from bi-weekly injections to weekly injections.  The reaction started as an itchy rash on both arms and quick spread up my arms over my shoulders and into my trunk area.  My dermatologist has just taken me off Humira completely.  At this point I am waiting for the Humira to clear my system so I can start cosentyx in about a month.  I am hoping for better results with cosentyx.

It's a couple of months since I decided to stop any treatment (yes even natural ones) and I'm patchier than ever, but I've been wandering about with vest tops on and honestly forgetting what I look like- I may have had funny looks but I haven't noticed them.

It itches a bit but not that much especially if I do moisturise (which I don't bother with that much) but I feel free - and no longer being coerced into taking nasty drugs just in an attempt to look nice for others.

If my psoriasis goes nuts again, then I will look at taking something, I have had uncontrollable itching in the past so I don't take it lightly, but for now it's just cosmetic and I'm just leaving it alone.

So, has anyone else decided to just give up on treatment and bare all? I think it would be great if we actually see more psoriasis in daily life, and maybe people will just get used to it instead of wondering if we have plague or something!

Hi all,

I'm Paul from North Wales and I've had Plaque Psoriasis for just over 30 years. I don't get "attacks", it's just always there, and I've tried most lotions and potions over the years (with the exception of immunosuppressants - my general health has been good so I've always put that ahead of improving my skin) but not had a lot of success. I was under a dermatologist for a while but these days I just pop to see my GP if I need more Capasal shampoo - which I use as a shower gel as well as for my hair.

Every 5 years or so I look to see if there is anything new on the market and give it a go. This time it was my wife that found out about Enstilar and my GP put me on it 4 weeks ago. The results so far have been good, the flaking stopped within days and I think the redness is slowly improving.

I'm curious to know anyone elses experiance with Enstilar, and in particular what they did after the 4 weeks initial treatment had finished. And, of course, if I can be of any help to anyone else with advice about the condition in general, I'd be happy to give my view.

All the best,

Paul

Hi all, 

I have been taking snippets of advice from your site for a good while now and finally got around to joining up.

I have been prescribed Acetretin and if anything my condition seems to be worsening and i wondered if anyone else had experienced this.

My lepery history in brief......
My condition started around 1995 when I was 24 with scalp psoriasis, I have large coverage on both my upper and lower legs, elbows, arms back, scalp, ears, basically all over.

In the last 12 months my condition has worsened and often gets me really down, I am sure you all appreciate the time when summer finally arrives and everyone is in shorts, but you cant wear them or go swimming because your condition looks so unsightly. I could really start moaning, but that wont get me anywhere!

Up until recently I have been using Dovabet ointment and I have tried courses of UVB treatment. The UVB was moderately successful, but it took up so much of time I bought my own UVB machine for home with the same lamps etc, ensuring I recorded my usage and didn't over do it. 

I started a course of Acetretin back in July and my back has never been worse, I have a new outbreak on my shoulders and this weekend an outbreak on my chest, I have been to the clinic this morning to see the nurse, who has booked me another appointment and suggested im considered for a course of Methotrexate or Ciclosporin, Im concerned that I cannot consume any alcohol while using Methotrexate, (I'm no heavy drinker, but do enjoy a few beers with my friends and a bottle of wine or so with my wife).

I could waffle on for hours, but I guess my real question is has anyone had any similar experiences to me and can they offer me any advice.

Finally, I have private health (Bupa) has anyone gone down this route and is the treatment any better / quicker?

Thanks in advance

Hi There,

I've just joined this site as I've been on methotrexate for 6 weeks and am feeling so tired and sad. I've been told to stay on the pills for at least 4 months to see results. Some people say that the side affects fade away after a while - is this true? I am in New Zealand with psoriasis on elbows, knees, hand and toe. Just feeling a bit despondent. Hopefully things will get better

How on earth do you do html scrolling text codes? I tried one earlier, but it wasnt picking it up

Hello, my name is Madeline, I have been diagnosed with pustular psoriasis since April this year. I have it in one area on the heal of my foot.
 I have been prescribed Clobovate and cloboderm since then with no affect.
 Today after visiting a dermatologist he has advised clobovate-exorex-dovonex in a monthly rotation also using doing film or similar. Please keep fingers crossed as at present it it very sore to walk.

hello my friends. does anyone on acetretin have probs with their immune system I seem to be picking up infections quite often n its getting me down. Linda