Continuing psoriasis treatment under threat of Covid-19

[Fred]

After starting this thread Covid-19 (aka Coronavirus) and psoriasis and one member saying they have been advised to stop Cosentyx I thought it would be a good idea to run a poll about psoriasis treatments and covid.

Some treatments can weaken our immune systems and I wondered how many people will be thinking of stopping their treatment during the threat of covid-19.

*I have not found any official advice about stopping a treatment, but you should all discuss the matter with your own healthcare professional if you have concerns.

This poll is open to guests and our members are welcome to vote and post in this thread too if they wish.

[Fred]

I will be continuing with Tremfya as the latest advise in France is to continue.

I'm also continuing because during my 12 years of using bio's I have never had a cold or flu any worse than Mrs Fred. Also as Tremfya is one shot every two months there isn't anything I can do once I have taken my shot.

I feel it could cause a flare-up if I stop and I would rather keep mobile and pain free than worry about getting something like the flu.

[JohnB]

I didn't have a choice in stopping Ciclosporin as it was starting to effect my kidneys and liver. Would I have stopped? Possibly yes, but I am in the dark as to how long the drugs screw your immune system  for.

[Caroline]

I am continuing my DMF.
Just like Fred, in all the years that I have used it I have never found any influence of it on my immune system.

I know that Bill stops his DMF, when having a cold or something, but I think that he is acting on the basis of the assumption that DMF influences your immune system, so it might be better to stop and that he doesn't base on experiences.

[KatT]

I am continuing my treatment also.  I will skip a dose only if I get extremely sick.

[Fred]

I didn't have a choice in stopping Ciclosporin as it was starting to effect my kidneys and liver. Would I have stopped? Possibly yes, but I am in the dark as to how long the drugs screw your immune system  for.

I think it depends on the treatment, and some drugs no longer mess with your system when you stop. But I'm no expert.

I am continuing my DMF.
Just like Fred, in all the years that I have used it I have never found any influence of it on my immune system.

Yes I think if we get a flu or cold worse than those close to us or get them more often then maybe we should think about it, but why stop if you have never had a problem.

I am continuing my treatment also.  I will skip a dose only if I get extremely sick.

Yes I would stop my treatment if I was was midway in a flu or cold and my shot was due, but even then I would only delay a week.

[jiml]

In the seven plus years I've been on DMF in the form of Fumaderm and skilarence, I've never suffered any worse than the rest of the population in fact I think I only have had one bad infection in 7 years. Had a few colds but never serious and I've never stopped the medication. I even continued when I had prostate cancer and treatment for that.
In my opinion DMF hasn't made me any more vunerable than anyone else
So I have answered no I won't be stopping even if I contract the virus

[Fred]

In the seven plus years I've been on DMF in the form of Fumaderm and skilarence, I've never suffered any worse than the rest of the population in fact I think I only have had one bad infection in 7 years. Had a few colds but never serious and I've never stopped the medication. I even continued when I had prostate cancer and treatment for that.
In my opinion DMF hasn't made me any more vunerable than anyone else
So I have answered no I won't be stopping even if I contract the virus

I think that is a good decision. It will be bad enough dealing with it let alone getting a psoriasis flare up too.

[jiml]

In the seven plus years I've been on DMF in the form of Fumaderm and skilarence, I've never suffered any worse than the rest of the population in fact I think I only have had one bad infection in 7 years. Had a few colds but never serious and I've never stopped the medication. I even continued when I had prostate cancer and treatment for that.
In my opinion DMF hasn't made me any more vunerable than anyone else
So I have answered no I won't be stopping even if I contract the virus

I think that is a good decision. It will be bad enough dealing with it let alone getting a psoriasis flare up too.

I'm sure the worry and stress trying to avoid the virus is causing a few to have a flare due to the uncertainty, worry about jobs, rent and mortgages and those with children at exam time must all have extra stress
It's easy to say try not to get stressed but these are difficult times and important to keep taking treatments.

[D Foster]

I am still going to stay on my Stelara which will have to be injected on the 29th March.
I am just keeping my fingers crossed, that I will be okay , I did have a text from the supplier today out of the blue assuring me that they will do their best which is a little concerning.