Saw the Rheumatologist today

[northcoast]

I had my regularly scheduled appointment today which I knew would result in a change in medication for my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  

As expected, Cosentyx is not going to happen, largely because of insurance demands and cost.

I have used sulfasalazine and most recently Otezla, which worked great, but failed after about a year.  I told her I didn't want to use Methotrexate, and she said she thought I was past that point anyways.  

So...drumroll please...

Humira.  She is on the conservative side and wants to try the biologic with a large data set, so here we go.  I trust her, so I'm ok with this.

Awaiting the TB test results and will likely start in a week and a half.  I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous about compromising my immune system.  Hopefully I'll  be ok.  But I got to the point where I just hurt too much and had to raise the white flag.

We shall see.

[D Foster]

Best of luck NC Humira is not one that I have taken but I have taken MTX for quite a long time however Stelara is the one I am on now. There are quite a few on here who have taken Humira and there is a lot of information on it so all the best.

Dave

[jiml]

I had my regularly scheduled appointment today which I knew would result in a change in medication for my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  

As expected, Cosentyx is not going to happen, largely because of insurance demands and cost.

I have used sulfasalazine and most recently Otezla, which worked great, but failed after about a year.  I told her I didn't want to use Methotrexate, and she said she thought I was past that point anyways.  

So...drumroll please...

Humira.  She is on the conservative side and wants to try the biologic with a large data set, so here we go.  I trust her, so I'm ok with this.

Awaiting the TB test results and will likely start in a week and a half.  I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous about compromising my immune system.  Hopefully I'll  be ok.  But I got to the point where I just hurt too much and had to raise the white flag.

We shall see.

Hi Dave I hope all goes well with the TB test and you can get started on the humira and it will be successful for you, but the compromise should be worth the risk, Several of our members are on humira and doing well. It's a good starting place
I havent got to the biological treatments yet but I'm holding them in reserve in case my current treatment ever gives up on me

Good luck   I will follow your progress with great interest

[Fred]

Good luck with the Humira. It didn't work for me and I had a reaction to it, but it ended up I had a problem with all the TNF related ones and can now only use the IL ones.

Don't be too worried about your immune system, you can soon stop it and there is hardly ever any long term problems. Humira is a good starting point for the bio's, another for psoriatic arthritis would be Enbrel.

But just take a deep breath and be prepared to be amazed at how much better the psoriatic arthritis will be in a short time.

[Turnedlight]

All the best, I took it for my skin and it sadly didn't work but in the few months I tried it, I didn't really notice any side effects.

[Kat]

Good luck! I hope it works well for you.

[northcoast]

Not that anyone is waiting with baited breath, but the combination of some screw-ups and reduced holiday schedules has me waiting for my Rx for Humira to begin.  They forgot to call me to tell me I didn't have TB and then to call in the Rx.  Then, they forgot to call in the starter dose... it was all for the maintenance dosage, and when I called the doctor's office to tell them that, my call wasn't returned.  Hopefully today I get it straightened out, but I still likely won't get it until after the New Year.  With my luck, the nurse won't be able to change the first dosage, and that will have to wait until after Jan. 1st to have the doctor correct it (she's off all week), which would mean I'd be lucky to get it by the end of next week.  In the meantime, Celebrex and ibuprofen are my best friend.  I feel like I've been in a car accident and my growing patches are cracking and bleeding despite my efforts to keep the psoriasis areas moisturized.  Sheesh.

[Fred]

That's a shame, I hope you get sorted soon.

As for moisturiser, have you tried a good quality virgin coconut oil?

Coconut Oil

[jiml]

That's a shame That there has been so much messing up with your medication. I hope you get it soon it's so frustrating when nobody but you sees the urgency
You would think because they messed up someone could get in a vehicle and put it right in a couple of hours

Good luck I hope it does get sorted soon    and you have a Happy New Year  

[northcoast]

Ok.  Gave myself my first shot yesterday. My neighbor across the street was able to show me what to do... he is in the medical field.  It's one of the pens, and was no big deal.  I opted for the abdomen.

Noticing a huge difference after one day in terms of the arthritis relief.  I wasn't limping when I got up, and was nowhere needing any anti inflammatory of any kind today -- not even non prescription.  Injection site has zero issues.  I can hardly tell where it is just 24 hours later.

Sine we are getting into the height of cold and flu season, we shall see how vulnerable I am to bugs.  This is what worries me the most.

No change in the psoriasis plaques, but I figure that will take some time.

So far, it's all positive.  I'm optimistic!

Happy 2017 everyone!