Cosentyx - Week 1....and beyond....

[Fred]

Yeah keep positive, all will be well.

[Plaque32092]

Jiml,

I can tell you I had a similar experience the first 5 shots seemed almost like nothing was happening and then suddenly it just changed for me this stuff has been amazing!

[angel-1963]

Jiml,

I can tell you I had a similar experience the first 5 shots seemed almost like nothing was happening and then suddenly it just changed for me this stuff has been amazing!

Hi Plaque32092!    Today is my 5th shot in the starter kit.   Praying for better results over the next few weeks.   My ALT  enzyme is 62.   Should be 32 or under.  My liver doctor is not too concerned at this point.  Usually it hovers at about 50.   I have a fatty liver and diabetes which might contribute to that number being elevated.    Good luck to you!!

[angel-1963]

Had 5th injection of start up last week. ALT liver enzyme rose from 62 (which is slightly elevated) to 72 last Friday one day after my last injection. UGH. Lab says this number should be 0 to 32. Liver doc on vacation this week, of course. Anxious to see what he has to say. He wasn't too concerned about the 62 one and a half weeks ago when I saw him. My ALT is always slightly elevated anyway...maybe due to psoriasis, overweight, fatty liver, and type 2 diabetes. Anyone else have liver enzyme issues while being on Cosentyx? Still not impressed with my clearing at all. Very, very minimal improvement, at best. Now have to wait 4 more weeks for my monthly injection. No insurance coverage approval yet either.

[Fred]

Sorry to hear your not impressed with the clearing, it's been getting good reviews. But then we are all different, and what works for some may not work for others.

Re bloods if he wasn't to concerned about 62 then he knows what is going on, my dermatologist never seemed worried about some of my high results. I think other things can make some results look high, and obviously some are more important than others but you are being monitored so I'm sure they will be in touch if something is wrong.

Hopefully you will see an improvement soon, but it could be worth taking pictures or keeping a score as you may not think it's changing but it could be albeit slightly.

[jiml]

Had 5th injection of start up last week. ALT liver enzyme rose from 62 (which is slightly elevated) to 72 last Friday one day after my last injection. UGH. Lab says this number should be 0 to 32. Liver doc on vacation this week, of course. Anxious to see what he has to say. He wasn't too concerned about the 62 one and a half weeks ago when I saw him. My ALT is always slightly elevated anyway...maybe due to psoriasis, overweight, fatty liver, and type 2 diabetes. Anyone else have liver enzyme issues while being on Cosentyx? Still not impressed with my clearing at all. Very, very minimal improvement, at best. Now have to wait 4 more weeks for my monthly injection. No insurance coverage approval yet either.

ooh angel I'm more concerned at your liver numbers than the clearance. I don't know the numbers they call dangerous ...
The other worry is the insurance not sorted out is costenyx fighting your case
I'm sure clearance will happen   best foot forward

[mataribot]

Cosentyx is a new medication and we don't know all the side effects yet. The drug is injectable to avoid being food. Biologics, more specifically TNFs, have been typically safe for the liver. As for your results, biological therapy is typically slow, 8 to 12 weeks for any meaningful results. I would give it at least 8 weeks.

[angel-1963]

My next Cosentyx injection is scheduled for first week in September.   Again, I finished my first 5 starter doses.    Unfortunately, I decided to eat a food that always causes a flare up.  Last week I re-introduced PLAIN Cheerios into my diet.  I love them in my yogurt, etc.   Well, you guessed it.   I flared right back up.   All nice and red and bumpy and itchy.   Hmm.  Seems kinda strange since I thought this Cosentyx attacked some IL-17 inflammation.   Just goes to show you....yes, you can still flare up if something in your diet previously affected your psoriasis negatively.  I threw out the remainder of the box.   Very disgusted.   Someone from Cosentyx called to remind me that I am set up on their 6 month program for free Cosentyx...nice.  And then reminded me at the end of the six months it is uncertain what will happen.   Yes, I know that too!!  Another reason I am probably flaring up....all this uncertainty and stress of worrying about a medication.   I cannot get my health insurance (that is provided by my company) to budge on their stance of covering this drug at all.  I have a stack of documentation about 2 inches thick already on everything related to Cosentyx.  I could write my own novel!  Trying to remain positive......

[jiml]

My next Cosentyx injection is scheduled for first week in September.   Again, I finished my first 5 starter doses.    Unfortunately, I decided to eat a food that always causes a flare up.  Last week I re-introduced PLAIN Cheerios into my diet.  I love them in my yogurt, etc.   Well, you guessed it.   I flared right back up.   All nice and red and bumpy and itchy.   Hmm.  Seems kinda strange since I thought this Cosentyx attacked some IL-17 inflammation.   Just goes to show you....yes, you can still flare up if something in your diet previously affected your psoriasis negatively.  I threw out the remainder of the box.   Very disgusted.   Someone from Cosentyx called to remind me that I am set up on their 6 month program for free Cosentyx...nice.  And then reminded me at the end of the six months it is uncertain what will happen.   Yes, I know that too!!  Another reason I am probably flaring up....all this uncertainty and stress of worrying about a medication.   I cannot get my health insurance (that is provided by my company) to budge on their stance of covering this drug at all.  I have a stack of documentation about 2 inches thick already on everything related to Cosentyx.  I could write my own novel!  Trying to remain positive......

Oooh Angel you are certainly learning the hard way with what's causing flares with you....... But before the cheerio episode were you getting clearer?
It's not helping I understand, not knowing if the treatment will be funded after 6 months. These worries are bad for the condition. I wish you luck with the insurance company
The Cheerio thing !! Do you have the same reaction to other corn based products ? I was reading of the probability of GM product being used in Cheerios there's an interesting article you can read on the ingredients that may have an effect on you here

REMOVED

[angel-1963]

Hi all! It's been awhile since I have written. I am still on Cosentyx. My insurance now covers it! Persistence pays off! And better yet...I am on the free ZERO co pay plan through 12/2015! I just took my second monthly dosage last Thursday. So I have been on Cosentyx since about July 9th, 3 months. Having pretty good clearance. Some very stubborn large spots on the bottoms of my legs that are clearing much slower. I have had pretty many spots go into remission. I notice after my injections I am very fatigued for about 3 days. It seems like I have some type of ringing in my ears constantly. Yes, I am also on the toilet on and off a lot more for about 3 to 5 days after my injections. It's tolerable! Anybody else want to report in on their progress/side effects? Love to hear from ya!!