Taltz - Kat's journey continues

[Fred]

  Okay that's my public service announcement for the day! 

Good update Kat.

[jiml]

Nice update Kat  I was going to say the second picture looks calmer  but as you say it's not the look that counts

I'm glad the antihistamines are working and you have got one that makes you drowsy ( just be careful not to take one if  driving ) they can be very effective for calming the itch and the less you scratch the better.... It is early days yet for Taltz and using what whatever means gets it better doesn't matter, if talconex helps then use it I certainly wouldn't suffer if I had something that might help as well as the Taltz
If and when you're clear and stop using talconex it then comes back I think you could then say it's definitely not working

[Kat]

Thanks!

Not sure what I was drinking when I posted that.    But it wasn't alcoholic so that's not my excuse!  I think I was just euphoric from finally getting some sleep! The second picture IS calmer and does feel better (sorry I was so unclear on my meaning)  I more was thinking of the overall picture, although I may show a picture that looks better, I may be feeling worse and it occurred to me that other people probably have that happen at times as well.  But I definitely didn't word it well.

My main problem right now is I don't like Taltz.  The injection hurts more than the others did, it hurts afterwards and last time I had a reaction that lasted a full week (although the last couple of days weren't really bothersome, just still a light pink to the area)  As for using the Taclonex…. I hate to use the Taclonex and make it appear like Taltz is working if it isn't.  I'd prefer to find out sooner rather than later and if it [Taltz] starts working then great! but if it doesn't I can move on instead of waiting.  If that makes sense.

I don't feel that the biologics are going to work out for me honestly.  I'm not sure why I feel that way as I was on Stelara for a year but only a short time on Cosentyx and now Taltz so I know I need to make sure to give them enough time.  I think I expected more so it's been a bit disappointing for me.  But for now, I will continue onward and try to be a bit more positive than I've been lately. 

[Caroline]

Great that at least you Slept again.
When you are tired only a little push can do the job of a good nights sleep. So that’s what the Zyrtec did I guess..

For now it does not look if the Taltz is working already. But maybe it is too early as Jim says.

[Fred]

Usually a bio is pulled if there is no improvement within 12 weeks.

Note the word "improvement" if there is some even small then it could be suggested to carry on.

I'm not a fan of using two treatments at once when starting a new one as it could give you a false positive. Use another treatment first to get the psoriasis down, or use one to help once you have been on your chosen treatment for a while (say 1 year) but using two together in my opinion is a pointless exercise.

You still have the following to try if you do want to use a bio.

Tremfya (guselkumab)

Kyntheum / Siliq (brodalumab)

Ilumetri / Ilumya (tildrakizumab)

And more in the pipeline.

And yes a positive attitude will help. 

[Kat]

I agree Fred in that taking two treatments when one is new doesn't help in letting you know what is working.

I also agree with Jim that when you don't have to be miserable, it's not a bad idea to use whatever you can to feel better.

But it's a dilemma. Today, things look better. Now this happened before as when I use the Taclonex it seems to give a boost that carries over into things looking better...… but only time will tell. I'm going to wait until my next injection is due (which is next Wednesday) to post a picture and we'll see. But then again it's always been a daily "thing" with me. Better a few days, worse a few days. That's been my cycle but I do hope that maybe this is a positive sign. Time will tell.

Thanks for the support.

[jiml]

Usually a bio is pulled if there is no improvement within 12 weeks.

Note the word "improvement" if there is some even small then it could be suggested to carry on.

I'm not a fan of using two treatments at once when starting a new one as it could give you a false positive. Use another treatment first to get the psoriasis down, or use one to help once you have been on your chosen treatment for a while (say 1 year) but using two together in my opinion is a pointless exercise.

You still have the following to try if you do want to use a bio.

Tremfya (guselkumab)

Kyntheum / Siliq (brodalumab)

Ilumetri / Ilumya (tildrakizumab)

And more in the pipeline.

And yes a positive attitude will help. 

? Fred did you mean the third link ?

[Fred]

Usually a bio is pulled if there is no improvement within 12 weeks.

Note the word "improvement" if there is some even small then it could be suggested to carry on.

I'm not a fan of using two treatments at once when starting a new one as it could give you a false positive. Use another treatment first to get the psoriasis down, or use one to help once you have been on your chosen treatment for a while (say 1 year) but using two together in my opinion is a pointless exercise.

You still have the following to try if you do want to use a bio.

Tremfya (guselkumab)

Kyntheum / Siliq (brodalumab)

Ilumetri / Ilumya (tildrakizumab)

And more in the pipeline.

And yes a positive attitude will help. 

? Fred did you mean the third link ?

Oops sorry. Thank you Jim for watching my back.

I have corrected it. 

[Kat]

Okay so first the picture. Yes I know it looks better and past couple of days has felt better. So maybe Taltz is working! I should be more excited but I'd rather give it a bit longer to make certain before celebrating too quickly. (Plus, I don't like the injections!)



So, I tried numbing the area. Nope, although I could touch the skin and feel nothing, I still felt the injection! I really didn't think it would work as it's mostly the medicine that stings and that's under the skin. But I will say that this time the "after pain" or whatever you want to call it was much less. Probably only a minute and then back to normal. I do think they use a slicer instead of a needle (actually just a large needle but I do always have a little blood from it)

Hoping no reaction this time and hoping the psoriasis keeps up clearing!

I just wish it was the Stelara or Cosentyx that worked!!! However, I have NOT noticed an improvement with joints so we'll have to see how that goes.

[Caroline]

Indeed your ear looks better Kat. That’s for sure.
But no change in your joints yet, mmmm, I can imagine that this has bit of a backlog, deeper in the body and slower reaction compared to the skin. Hope it will work.

A little amazing that the needle has so much impact for you. I mean injection and then a minute and you don’t feel it anymore.. with my therapy I felt the injection for 3 to 4 days, of course because it contained much more fluid.
I do understand that the reaction to the injection was very annoying. It makes you feel unsecure. I would feel like that too.

But for now, good luck and waiting for the magic of Taltz.