More good news for people with psoriatic arthritis as Lilly announced that Ixekizumab was statistically superior to placebo in the treatment of patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and they plan to submit detailed data from the SPIRIT-P1 study for disclosure at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed journals.

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Eli Lilly and Company announced today that the investigational medicine ixekizumab was statistically superior to placebo in the treatment of patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), as demonstrated by the proportion of patients achieving an ACR 20 response. ACR 20 is a standard assessment that represents a 20 percent reduction in disease signs and symptoms as defined by the American College of Rheumatology response criteria. During the 24-week, Phase 3 study, titled SPIRIT-P1, patients who were naïve to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) were treated with one of two different ixekizumab dosing regimens or placebo. In both dosing regimens, ixekizumab-treated patients demonstrated significant improvements versus placebo in signs and symptoms of active PsA.

PsA is a progressive, chronic and destructive disease that can cause swelling, stiffness and pain in and around the joints, nail changes, and impaired physical function. It is one of the most common rheumatic arthritides, occurring within 0.3 to 1 percent of the general population, and in up to approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis.

"Psoriatic arthritis is a debilitating disease associated with progressive joint damage and skin involvement, and also has a significant impact on a person's quality of life," said J. Anthony Ware, M.D., senior vice president, Lilly Bio-Medicines Product Development. "These results strengthen our belief that ixekizumab may have the potential to help people confronting this challenging disease."

In SPIRIT-P1, the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was more frequent with ixekizumab compared with placebo. The most common adverse events observed were consistent with the Phase 3 studies of ixekizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The rates of serious adverse events with ixekizumab treatment were similar to placebo. Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were similar between treatment groups.

Lilly plans to submit detailed data from the SPIRIT-P1 study for disclosure at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed journals.

About the SPIRIT-P1 Study:
SPIRIT-P1 is a Phase 3 randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study examining the effect of ixekizumab compared with placebo in patients with active PsA who are bDMARD-naïve. Patients were required to have an established diagnosis of PsA and active disease for at least six months. During the study, ixekizumab-treated patients received a starting dose of 160 mg administered subcutaneously (SC), followed by one of two dosing regimens: either 80 mg administered SC once every two weeks or 80 mg administered SC once every four weeks. Adalimumab at the approved dose of 40 mg SC and regimen of every other week was selected as the active control for comparison with placebo. The SPIRIT-P1 study will also evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ixekizumab in PsA for up to three years.

About ixekizumab:  
Ixekizumab is a monoclonal antibody with high affinity and specificity that binds to and neutralizes the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17A (IL-17A), which research has shown can contribute to autoimmune diseases, including PsA and psoriasis. Ixekizumab does not bind to cytokines IL-17B, IL-17C, IL-17D, IL-17E or IL-17F and is administered via subcutaneous injection (under the skin). Ixekizumab is also in clinical development for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Hi there, I'm pleased to find this forum as I've been missing chatting with others about P. I haven't really had P until fairly recently in my late 30s, I did have an outbreak when I was 19 when I went off to uni but we thought it was eczema and treated it as such. Since then I've only had small patches occasionally but in 2012 I had an op on my leg under general anaesthetic and also embarked on a very stressful house extension and my P suddenly got worse.

Derm sent me for uvb but had to stop after four sessions on lowest dose as I had bad sunburn from it, which then turned erythrodermic, was a horrible flu like experience and took ages to get help, first dermatologist I saw dismissed me with steroid cream and didn't want to even see the offending skin. My own derm finally saw me, put me straight on prednisolone for about three months. Came off that onto mtx which was great for a while, I was almost entirely clear and tried to wean off it but P cam back rapidly so stayed on mtx, which no longer works so well. Can't cope with the higher 25mg dose so now coming off and going onto Humira.

I'm looking forward to coming off mtx and hoping my energy might return, the side effects seem to get worse with each dose, but scared of Humira!

Looking forward to chatting with you all

I,m sffering bad with diorrhea at the moment, just started week 3 on Fumederm - any remedies? Should I eat and if so is there certain foods to avoid?

Here's an interesting study that looked at under diagnosis and under treatment of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, it suggests that physicians acknowledge unmet treatment needs, largely concerning long-term safety/tolerability and efficacy of currently available therapies.

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Background:
Available literature on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) demonstrates a tremendous burden of disease and suggests underdiagnosis and undertreatment.

Objective:
To obtain real-world physician perspectives on the impact of psoriasis and PsA and its treatment on patients' daily lives, including perceptions of, and satisfaction with, current therapies.

Methods:
The Multinational Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (MAPP) surveyed dermatologists (n = 391) and rheumatologists (n = 390) in North America (Canada and the United States) and Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom).

Results:
Dermatologists classified 20.3% and 25.7% of their patients as having severe psoriasis and severe PsA respectively; rheumatologists indicated that 48.4% of their PsA patients had active disease. Of the psoriasis patients complaining of joint pain, only 33.0% had a diagnosis of PsA. An impact on daily activities or social/emotional well-being was recognized by 57.2% to 79.3% of physicians. In patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, dermatologists reported 74.9% were receiving topical therapy, 19.5% conventional oral therapy and 19.6% biologics. Dermatologists and rheumatologists reported similar rates of topical (≈45%) and biologic (≈30%) therapy utilization for their PsA patients; conventional oral therapy was more often prescribed by rheumatologists (63.4%) vs. dermatologists (35.2%). Reasons for not initiating or maintaining systemic therapies were related to concerns about long-term safety, tolerability, efficacy and costs (biologics).

Conclusion:
Physicians in North America and Europe caring for patients with psoriasis and PsA acknowledge unmet treatment needs, largely concerning long-term safety/tolerability and efficacy of currently available therapies; evidence suggests underdiagnosis of PsA and undertreatment of psoriasis among dermatologists.

My name's Bav and i'm a alco... oh wait.. wrong forum my bad! Just kidding.

Thought it was about time i said hi properly, some of you have already helped me out a great deal in another thread, even if its been posts offering support its awesome, big big thank you! I dont feel so alone with this any more.

I've had P for about 20 years, wasn't noticeable at first only had red patches on my elbows and I moved from London to Bristol and it really started to flare up, I guess the change in air didn't like me to much, or coincidence dunno.. I do know though that when I've gone on holiday, mostly to the states its started to clear up.

Tried so many things, potions lotions creams, at one point i think i had more than some women i know. Even had a doc suggest i put this cream on my entire body and wrap myself in cling film, you know that stuff you wrap your sandwiches up in to keep them fresh.. thought that was a bit weird and maybe the doc was into something i really didn't want to ask about..

I've been dumped by a GF who in the beginning was like yeah its ok, no problem.. but in the end she pretty much dumped me because of it, just showed what a narrow minded person she was But since I've met two wonderful women who are well awesome, ones my ex fiance (we decided not to get married for well lets just say reasons other than P), and someone who I really hope wants to, both of whom said when i told them that they couldn''t care less, I explained to both of them what P was, what its like and still gave the same reply.

I refuse to let P or anything stop me from doing what I want to do, well within reason of course.. I've been a online DJ, Managed a radio station for a short time, I even do 3D animation using the same tools as Pixar, still learning but I'll get there, my avatar pic on here is one of mine and i'm dead pleased with it, it turned out really well. I'm also a big sci-fi nut, and by trade I'm a IT analyst.. yeah I've been one of those guys who answers the phone and says... "Hello I.T., have you tried turning it off and on again?" So if anyone needs any help with PC's feel free to send me a PM, I'll do my best to offer any advice I can.

I think that just about cover's it, oh yeah hi!!!!

Bav

Hello, I was diagnosed with Palma Plantar 2 years ago, no topical treatments worked at all. Light treatment helped my hands become more manageable, but feet have been a nightmare. Been reduced to a mobility scooter to get about as feet just too painful. Been on Acitretin for 18 months, had quite an improvement but side effects got too bad, loss of hair, reoccurring eye infections and painful lips, mouth and nose. Just started Fumaderm 2 weeks ago

Do u have stretch marks too?? Coz i have mine and it really bothers me so much. I was not able to wear shorts because i have them on my tights huhu i can also wear sleeveless shirts coz i also have them on my armpits. Any suggestion or any advice about this?thanks

Hi guys! Im suffering psoriasis for 6 yrs now. Im 18 yrs old from philippines. Im a new member of this forum and i would be glad to share to you what am i using.

I've been to many procedures since my psoriasis started. I was so depressed when i knew about this kind of skin problem. I already tried visiting a dermatologist I also tried chinese treatment. And to make the story short, im using a BL cream. I dont take in medicines, im just appling this ointment to affected parts and im happy to say that it disappears. It doesnt cure totally but im contented with the result. Even my friends dont believe that i had this skin problem. My psoriasis now is not obvious though it suddenly appear especially when im stressed but over all its a good thing for this ointment. Ive been using the ointment for 5yrs until now. I suggest you try this also. Maybe it could help.

I am a wife, mother and grandmother whose paycheck job is very stressful but decompresses through crafts and a non-profit that benefits foster children. Have been living with psoriasis for so long I have forgotten exactly what life was like before. Have had different meds tested over the years, most with little success. I has created problems with my job as well as home life. Some crafts are gathering dust because my hands are so chewed up it is impossible to not leave blood behind or destroy threads and yarn. It has created problems internally as well. I am hoping by joining this club I can meet others who have or are experiencing like problems and gain the strength that is sometimes needed to deal with this disease.

Hello everyone,

I'm obviously new here. I am a 28 year old male who was diagnosed with psoriasis in 2010 and it has changed my life for the good and the bad. I appreciate the more important things in life now(family/friends/experiences) and have learned soo much about nutrition and taking care of myself in general. I'm honestly in the best shape of my life from working out,swimming, and eating healthier than I ever have before but the psoriasis does get me down from time to time. It can be a full time job in itself and just mentally/physically exhausting. I've somewhat recently got out of relationship of 4 years and feel it will be difficult to start dating again although my condition is more on the mild side but seems to be getting progressively worse. I am anxious to read other posts/meet like minded people/and learning new methods to treating psoriasis. What has helped me the most is coconut oil, protopic, and tea tree oil soap/shampoo/conditioner.

Thanks

Hi guys,

I'm hoping someone can help, or give some advice.

I've suffered with Psoriasis for the best part of 20 years, started to appear just as i was finishing school. I've got it covering, my scalp, hands, arms, legs, back, feet, pretty much everywhere and i mean everywhere. After being made redundant its got a whole lot worse. Recently my adviser has decided i need help getting a job and has placed me on the Mandatory Work Activity, i heard from them the other day and they are sending me to the local recycling plant to sort through people's rubbish, because it'll help me get a job. (Just as a side note, for 15 years I've been a IT Analyst).

I've been basically told by unemployment to show up or no money, even though they agree wholeheartedly I should not be sent there because of my Psoriasis I've still been told I have to go. This scares me a great deal because of all the possible health implications. I've asked the company i've been assigned to if there was anything else they could have me doing, admin, charity shop work, anything apart from this I was pretty much told to deal with by the person on the phone. Although when asked about what safety gear I was going to get i was told A pair of boots high visibility vest and maybe some gloves.

I have to go tomorrow for a "risk assessment" my best mate thinks they dont believe me and want to take pictures or something. But I have to go or they stop my money, according to the job centre.

Has anyone come across anything similar or has any advice?

Anything anyone could say to help or put my mind at ease would be really great, because at the moment, i'm genuinely afraid.

Many Thanks for your time,

Bav

Hi everyone, hope it's okay, but I'm going to try and keep a diary of the progress with Stelera.  Just got my first injection about an hour ago.  Feeling really tired at the moment, but I don't think that would come on as quickly as a side effect.  Will try and upload pictures later of skin so that I can see when the medication kicks in

Hi All,

I was googling MTX vs fumaderm and found you.

I decided to join as I found the posts quite thoughtful and based on personal evidence.
I'm 44 and got the first spots of psoriasis in 91-92 I think.

did light treatments in Italy and they worked very well for me.
Once I moved to Ireland the local Dermatologist stated I definitely had way too much light treatments and prescribed some cream ( i'll check later the proper name). they obviously didn't work.

I gave up for 6-7 years with no treatment whatsoever as the temperatures in Ireland aren't that inviting to get undressed.

I'm going to see the dermatologist again tomorrow and I think i'll opt for the fumaderm but I'm curious about the psorinovo option discussed here.
Thanks All for your help.

Hello,

My name is Daniel and I started taking Cosentyx on 3/26/15.  I have tried Raptiva, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Stelara, and Soriatane (did not stay on too long because it severely chapped my lips) and the only thing that has ever worked for me was Raptiva (almost all clear with it) but that was pulled years ago.

I took my third set of shots last Thursday and am starting to see some results.  The plaque on my elbows, knees, and legs is less thick so it is starting to work.  I still have quite a ways to go but I am finally encouraged by a psoriasis treatment.  I have not suffered any side effects that I am aware of and think the injection pen is a lot better than other prior treatments; it doesn't hurt as much overall.  The first two weeks it was a little pinch and then nothing.  This past week it actually stung a bit more and left a small bump on each leg that went away the next day.  I don't know if that was due to the placement of the shots or something else, so I will have to see if that continues.

Overall I am cautiously optimistic that this might work.  Its been almost 6 years since I stopped taking Raptiva and started the merry-go-round of treatments that did not improve things (I know those help some people, just not me).  I look forward to the next couple months.

-Daniel

Currently I have psoriasis in various places on my body mostly on my legs and arms. I have seen short term results with Humira and Stelara but it never sticks more than 3 months. I just started Cosentyx last week after trying Humira, Stelara, and every other product on the shelf. So far the only side effect I have seen has been a stuffy nose.

This study looks at the sexual health and quality of life issues in psoriasis patients with genital psoriasis, it concludes that genital psoriasis dose indeed have a profound impact on sexual health issues.

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Objective:
This study was designed to ascertain factors associated with the development of genital psoriasis and its impact on quality of life and sexual functioning.

Methods:
This was an observational, multicenter study of 354 consecutive psoriasis patients.

Results:
One hundred thirty-four patients (38%) had current genital involvement while 224 (63%) had a current and/or previous history of genital involvement. Eighty-seven percent reported itch, 39% pain, 42% dyspareunia, 32% a worsening of their genital psoriasis after intercourse, and 43% a decreased frequency of intercourse. Younger age of onset of psoriasis, male sex, more severe disease, and involvement of the scalp, flexures, and nails were associated with the presence of genital disease. There was no association with circumcision or obesity. Patients with genital psoriasis had more impairment in quality of life and sexual health as determined by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (P < .0001), the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (P = .01), and the Relationship and Sexuality Scale (P < .0001).

Limitations:
This was a descriptive study from 2 tertiary referral centers where patients were likely to have more severe psoriasis.

Conclusion:
This study highlights the high prevalence of genital psoriasis and its profound impact on quality of life and sexual health.

I've read about a new skin conditioner for P. from a Norway Pharmacuidiucal company. It was designed for excema and psoriasis to help moisturize & many other issues p. suffers have. It claims to be successful in their studies in Norway,France.& England. It's called Ganodex. Has anyone heard of it or used it? It also claims the following.

Immune-modifying ingredient which can reduce scaling, itch and irritated skin. What's that? Some antiinflammatory?
100% natural ingredients with no detected side effects. No detected side effects? YIKES ! No allergies from the ingredients in other words. No cortisone and parabenes, which can cause thin, damaged and irritated skin.
Quickly absorbed. No fatty, greasy skin after application. It claims to contains triple helix beta glucons? What's that ?

I have had this disease all my life. Scars from head to toe. Tried many creams and moisturizers that have really helped not greasy no cortisone or steroids, waxes, or Laural sulfates etc. in conjunction with prescription meds. I have three great moisturizers that will help keep my skin from drying and flaking. Which in my case is a precursor to a p. outbreak in most cases. It's another way to manage the disease. There is really only managing this disease and knowing your triggers.  Keeping the skin from drying out is a big trigger for me.

The main ingredients in Ganodex are Coconut fat, paraffin, stearic acid, honey, glycerol, cetyl alcohol, beta glucan, sorbate, benzoate. Nothing new there! I use lavender parifin wax & glycerin in my hand & foot spa then wrap in Baggies /occlusion treatment/ and put socks on over nite. Especially in winter. This is maintance , management not to let the skin dry out and keep the cracks moisturized. This is a huge trigger for P. for me Dryness.

Heck I'll just thro it all in the blender add bees wax or paraffin wax.. Walla !   Home made hand cream for P. Or grab a few herbs from the garden and my fav kudzu tea! LOL
Or just use coconut oil and glycerin. After all glycerin is in the DERM layers of skin.
It's not in the US yet. THATS why I asked if some of you across the seas have heard of it or tried it?

Coal tar has been another biggie for my P. It's OTC and cheap. Another hand made help to stop the itching is i mix NON-ALCOHOL-Witch Hazel ( a natural anti inflamatory ) with Glycerine,50/50 % in a small spray bottle. Cuts down the built up plaque and stop the itching. Also sunburn spray stops the burn and the itch!

Quest4Cure

59 year old male suffering from psoriasis for 30 years. Tried everything, as most have, started Cosentyx today. Fingers crossed.

I've had psoriasis on and off for a number of years this particular 'attack' has lasted for 2 years so far and started when I stopped breastfeeding my little girl.

My entire torso is one big patch and my arms and legs are covered in spots of varying size but I try not to let it bother me but today my hairline was really bad and covered in really obvious flakes which after 4 washes with capasal I have finally got rid of.

I was meant to take my daughters to street dance but instead I cracked, burst into tears and my wonderful hubby (who was meant to be working from home) took them instead.

I have an emergency appointment with my gp in an hour to get more cyclosporin as a short term stop gap until my next dermatology appointment which could be any time as the hospital is in chaos cos all the dermatologists left in the same month. Cyclosporin doesn't work well for me but combined with epidermis and dovobet it's better than nothing.

So how many of you have hidden from you children in the bathroom crying....or is it just me? ;-) xxx

Hi everyone, I've come here for some help, some hope and some answers. Hopefully I find one or all of those things. My story starts just recently, about a month and a half ago. I begin getting one stop on my stomach. It was perfectly round and very itchy. Then I noticed several more spots over the course of a month: two on my shoulders, about 7 on my neck. They are all the same: they start as tiny little red bumps, almost like a pimple and itch like crazy. Then over the course of a few days they begin to expand out and raise up. They begin to flake on the top of the bump. They are never more than a dime in circumference. They usually last about 2-3 weeks then reduce in size and itch, leaving a bit of a mark.

I went to the doctor twice about this. The first time she suspected ringworm and gave me a fungal cream. That actually seemed to help, but my 2 week skin scraping test for ringworm came back negative. After, I got some more spots so I went to a different doctor who said it looked like psoriasis. I've looked at pictures on the internet of psoriasis and mine doesn't really look like it.

the Doc gave me a steroid cream to put on, and I feel like it's not helped at all, but it's only been 2 days. According to me story does this sound like psoriasis? I do also have another autoimmune disorder and I've heard that usually if you have one AID you'll have another.

I'm getting really stressed about this as every day I wake up and find a new stop in a totally random place! And they itch SO MUCH. Any thoughts? Does my issue sound like psoriasis?