Health Boards
Thu-03-10-2019, 21:07 PM
Oddly enough, I only recently heard of lazer therapy. I was a bit surprised when my dermatologist offered it as a bit of a "let's see if this works while we regroup" type of thing. So I am now going for appointments twice per week for XTRAC.
So a little history, I was on three biologics, Stelara, Cosentyx and Taltz. I did not notice any big improvements while on them. There were times when it looked a bit better, but then would go back. So this is where I am currently.
I should tell you that behind my ears and inside ears HAS improved! About 3 weeks ago, the doctor took me off Taltz and started the process of getting the Lazer therapy approved. Immediately after that appointment, I started using Taclonex again as I did not want to go backwards. I had told the doctor a few times that the biologics along WITH the Taclonex would show improvement but she stated that I shouldn't need the Taclonex while on the biologic (as in the biologic should work on it's own) So since I didn't want to skew things by using both, I stopped the Taclonex except for very few times when the scalp was REALLY bothering me. I mention all of this as to be honest, I don't know now if finally the Taltz started to work or if it has been these last few weeks using the Taclonex, but my ear is clear and behind it is only slightly raised and red. I am going with the Taclonex or combination of the two.
Anyway, I started Laser therapy this week. Today was my second appointment. I won't provide pictures because I just can't get decent ones of my scalp due to it being the back of my head mostly and the hair covering. I know for those of you who followed my other journeys how much you will miss those ear pictures!
But I will let you know if it works. Although my ear area is improved, the scalp area is still scaly (although it also improved a bit, just not nearly as much as the ear area, but it is much easier to apply topical to the ear and behind the ear as opposed to under areas covered by hair)
From what they say, I should notice results between 6-10 sessions, clearance between 10-20 sessions and it lasts for about 3-6 months.
So right now I'm on a bit more of short term solutions. I will let you know how it goes and also let you know how unhappy I am making the rheumatologist next time I see him. But I do NOT miss those Taltz injections
Editing to add: The XTRAC is only being used on my scalp, NOT ear area at all currently. That's another reason why no pics, since this is about the laser therapy which currently isn't being used on or behind ears. I need to ask why because I honestly don't know. It's a nurse doing the treatment.
So a little history, I was on three biologics, Stelara, Cosentyx and Taltz. I did not notice any big improvements while on them. There were times when it looked a bit better, but then would go back. So this is where I am currently.
I should tell you that behind my ears and inside ears HAS improved! About 3 weeks ago, the doctor took me off Taltz and started the process of getting the Lazer therapy approved. Immediately after that appointment, I started using Taclonex again as I did not want to go backwards. I had told the doctor a few times that the biologics along WITH the Taclonex would show improvement but she stated that I shouldn't need the Taclonex while on the biologic (as in the biologic should work on it's own) So since I didn't want to skew things by using both, I stopped the Taclonex except for very few times when the scalp was REALLY bothering me. I mention all of this as to be honest, I don't know now if finally the Taltz started to work or if it has been these last few weeks using the Taclonex, but my ear is clear and behind it is only slightly raised and red. I am going with the Taclonex or combination of the two.
Anyway, I started Laser therapy this week. Today was my second appointment. I won't provide pictures because I just can't get decent ones of my scalp due to it being the back of my head mostly and the hair covering. I know for those of you who followed my other journeys how much you will miss those ear pictures!
But I will let you know if it works. Although my ear area is improved, the scalp area is still scaly (although it also improved a bit, just not nearly as much as the ear area, but it is much easier to apply topical to the ear and behind the ear as opposed to under areas covered by hair) From what they say, I should notice results between 6-10 sessions, clearance between 10-20 sessions and it lasts for about 3-6 months.
So right now I'm on a bit more of short term solutions. I will let you know how it goes and also let you know how unhappy I am making the rheumatologist next time I see him. But I do NOT miss those Taltz injections
Editing to add: The XTRAC is only being used on my scalp, NOT ear area at all currently. That's another reason why no pics, since this is about the laser therapy which currently isn't being used on or behind ears. I need to ask why because I honestly don't know. It's a nurse doing the treatment.