My Journey to halt/end my psoriasis

[KatT]

My psoriasis cleared almost completely on MTX and I had absolutely no side effects.  I took it for a year and stopped because my dermatologist wanted to have a biopsy of the liver done as a precaution and I didn't want to go through a biopsy.

[Sheila]

My psoriasis cleared almost completely on MTX and I had absolutely no side effects.  I took it for a year and stopped because my dermatologist wanted to have a biopsy of the liver done as a precaution and I didn't want to go through a biopsy.

We are all individuals and we all respond a little differently. I know my path may be different but still I am apprehensive. My day with methyltrexate is coming, but not fast enough.

[Sheila]

My psoriasis cleared almost completely on MTX and I had absolutely no side effects.  I took it for a year and stopped because my dermatologist wanted to have a biopsy of the liver done as a precaution and I didn't want to go through a biopsy.

Why did you not resume treatment with MTX? What are you on now?

[Forest Walker]

KatT, did you have a blood draw that indicated liver damage?  Once, long ago, while I was on a drug called 6-Mercaptapurine, my dosage was too high, and I had elevated liver enzymes appear in a routine blood test.  When the dosage was reduced, the liver healed.  A biopsy is a big deal.  I wouldn't want one, either.  (Sorry to go off topic on Wintrman's thread.)

[KatT]

I resumed MTX after about a year or two break but it did nothing for my psoriatic arthritis.  So I was put on leflunomide which was not doing anything for psoriatic arthritis either.  Then I was given biologics.

Regardless of the treatment, blood tests are required on a regular basis.

In 2018, I was about to switch biologics to go on Cosentyx and ended up in the ER.  Diagnosis:  lupus flare.  For that, I was given azathioprine which is in the same category as MTX, leflunomide, etc.

Had another big lupus flare this year and found out my liver was affected because of the azathioprine. This was found through blood tests done at the ER and CT scan.  So the azathioprine was stopped due to liver damage and the fact that it didn't prevent a severe flare..

It's a shame because the azathioprine was effective for my psoriasis also and I was completely clear of plaques from 2018 till March 2021. In other words during that period, I basically had two treatments for psoriasis (azathioprine and a biologic)

Now for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis I take Simponi (TNF biologic) and for lupus I take hydroxychloroquine.

The liver healed and I would love to take azathioprine or MTX again as I know I would be clear of psoriasis however I would rather prevent a lupus flare than psoriasis therefore giving up hydroxychloroquine might not be an option.


Hope this helps  

[Sheila]

I resumed MTX after about a year or two break but it did nothing for my psoriatic arthritis.  So I was put on leflunomide which was not doing anything for psoriatic arthritis either.  Then I was given biologics.

Regardless of the treatment, blood tests are required on a regular basis.

In 2018, I was about to switch biologics to go on Cosentyx and ended up in the ER.  Diagnosis:  lupus flare.  For that, I was given azathioprine which is in the same category as MTX, leflunomide, etc.

Had another big lupus flare this year and found out my liver was affected because of the azathioprine. This was found through blood tests done at the ER and CT scan.  So the azathioprine was stopped due to liver damage and the fact that it didn't prevent a severe flare..

It's a shame because the azathioprine was effective for my psoriasis also and I was completely clear of plaques from 2018 till March 2021. In other words during that period, I basically had two treatments for psoriasis (azathioprine and a biologic)

Now for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis I take Simponi (TNF biologic) and for lupus I take hydroxychloroquine.

The liver healed and I would love to take azathioprine or MTX again as I know I would be clear of psoriasis however I would rather prevent a lupus flare than psoriasis therefore giving up hydroxychloroquine might not be an option.


Hope this helps  

What a whirlwind of things to deal with. I am glad to hear that you are doing better, health wise tho. Super glad your liver is recovering as well.  God Bless!

[Caroline]

Quite a trajectory you have gone through !!

Indeed MTX does nothing for Psoriatic Arthritis, there is an article published that shows that. It has been referred to over here at the forum, Fred, with his infinite memory, knows where it is.
Strange enough over here rheumatologists always start with mtx.
I have been on it too, but after a few weeks I didn’t know how fast to stop with it, it felt so bad..

I get your reasoning of preventing a lupus flare. Then it is better to have psoriasis, though unfortunate.

[Fred]

Fred, with his infinite memory, knows where it is.

Probably this: Methotrexate no better than Placebo for Psoriatic Arhtritis

[Sheila]

Good Monday Morning, everyone! Well, it's been a disappointing week. My elbows and knees have worsened slightly and I gained a pound last week. *sigh* I shouldn't be surprised as I didn't do so well on the diet side of things. I was "cheating" a bit too much. Oh well! This week is another week, and I am back on the bandwagon. Time to improve the flavors, not increase the food in search of more flavor.  

That's it for this week! Wish me luck!

[Turnedlight]

Good Monday Morning, everyone! Well, it's been a disappointing week. My elbows and knees have worsened slightly and I gained a pound last week. *sigh* I shouldn't be surprised as I didn't do so well on the diet side of things. I was "cheating" a bit too much. Oh well! This week is another week, and I am back on the bandwagon. Time to improve the flavors, not increase the food in search of more flavor.  

That's it for this week! Wish me luck!

*luck*