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

I know that the leaflet prescribed with betnovate and dovobet says it shouldn't be used on the face and doctors/dermatologists advise the same but I have the smallest red circle on the very end of my nose that only responds to betnovate or dovobet. I was given another cream to use on my face if I needed to but this cream does absolutely nothing. 

I recall someone on here mentioning in another topic that they have used dovobet on their face without problems and that is stronger than betnovate right? Do you think it would be a problem to apply a little bit of betnovate daily? Or even every other day? If I stop using betnovate for a couple of days the spot returns.

Again, the area on my nose is tiny, I don't even have to rub the cream in to cover the area. It's about the size of one of the dots on a small dice.

Hey all! I'm a 29 year old male that has had psoriasis since I was about 13. I have been on Raptiva when I was 18 (and it worked great, until it was pulled from the market), Otezla (It did not work on my P or my PsA), Humira (Worked wonders on my PsA, but did absolutely nothing for my P), and I just took my first loading dose of Cosentyx last week. I am hoping it works, as I'm tired of using topical steroids. Glad I found a forum with others with this awful, awful condition. Just wanted to say hi!

I've just signed up today as I feel I need to share this with all fellow sufferers. I've suffered for years, nails, feet, elbow, knees, bottom. I've used every potion known to no avail.  however I recently suffered extremely bad back pain and have had steriod in junctions to my facet joints...i am 2 weeks post injections and I do not have one patch on my body....true, honestly, have any doctors on this forum a reason behind this and why is it not being offered as a solution to the terrible creams and medication? ...  Has anyone else had the same injections with the same results?

Hello there fellow sufferers,
Thankyou very much for accepting me to this forum and I hope you can help me with some questions that I have regarding my current medication. 
I've suffered with guttate psoriasis for almost 20 years now but until the last couple of years it's been kept fairly under control with various emollients and topical steroid cream/ointments. It became much more severe and more widespread following my hysterectomy 2 years ago, though this could just be a coincidence, my consultant thinks it could be but is a bit noncommittal. In the past 9 months, I've had two courses of light therapy, the last one ending at the beginning of July, within a week, my psoriasis started appearing again so I immediately contacted dermatology, saw the consultant and was put on Acetretin 25mg daily. 
I've been taking it for almost 4 weeks now and disappointingly my condition seems so much worse, with terrible itching, burning and flaking skin, EVERYWHERE!! 
I hoped I might see an improvement by now, my consultant said I should. I was just wondering if anyone else could provide me with any advice or their experiences with this  drug.
I wait with eager anticipation.

Many thanks
Mandy x

Hello, I have had psoriasis for 26 years and had all the usual topical treatments , had 5 treatments of UVB and 1 of uva but took puva pain. Neotigison didn't work and methotrexate caused me liver problems. Now on Stelara and I am very hopeful it works. Had first injection on Friday and don't know if it's my imagination but my skin feels different. Happy to hear any other experiences