saying hello...

[northcoast]

Dave here.  42 years old, psoriasis symptoms for ~20yrs, arthritis for ~8 years.

I've typically been a medication minimalist as much as possible over the years, but with the arthritis steadily getting worse, I've given in to things I don't want to take.

I have Celebrex for the pain when needed.  DMARDs started as sulfasalazine and then Otezla.

I was in love with Otezla.  Worked great for about a year, then a somewhat spontaneous decline in efficacy.  I have quit the medication for 3 weeks before I go see my Rheumy next week, just so I could get a feel of whether it was actually working period anymore or not.  IMO, it's at about 30-40% of what it was doing for me at its peak, so I'm not sure it's worth taking anymore.  But since being off Otezla, I've felt fairly bad.

As I said, I'm going in next week to likely start a new course of treatment.  I've been reading up just trying to get a sense of what is out there, so I'm fairly well-versed.

Methotrexate - I don't want to take it.  Bad vibes is all... no other reasonable reason.

I've been reading about Cosyntex, which looks like it's at least a more specific biologic than Humira or Enbrel, right?  Not sure if I have that right but I'll see what my doc wants to do with me.  Immune suppressors give me the heebie-jeebies as well. 

Anyone with a significant background in medicine on here, I'd like to throw this little nugget out there:  I'm fully aware this could be coincidence, but since I've been symptomatic with the arthritis, I've not had more than a bad cold in terms of sickness.  If I've had a fever in that time, it's a very short period of time... maybe an evening or something like that.  I haven't had the flu, and I work in an environment with community computer workstations, so decent germ exposure.  Nothing else has really changed in that time.

Anyways, just saying hello and telling my story.  I'm tired of hurting.  I used to run, play softball, hike... just stayed as active as possible.  Now I spend a lot of time in hot baths.  Hopefully I can find a remedy that won't wreck other parts of my body in the process.

[jiml]

Hi Dave and   to the club. It's late here in England so I will be brief for now. I hope you enjoy the club we have a great bunch of fellow sufferers here and we are all happy to share what works for us.

If I was looking at changing my treatment I would certainly go for cosentyx as it is outperforming  other biologicals  
Take a look at this

Cosentyx shows sustained improvements in psoriatic arthritis over 3 years

Feel free to jump in and ask questions and someone will probably have an answer or an opinion
There are no healthcare professionals on the site we are all just sufferers of the disease just like you. But there is a great deal of personal experience here which is invaluable
Fred has kept the site updated with the latest information and innovations in the treatment of the disease. Which I think makes the site unique. It is free from spam, advertising or self promotion. Plus you will never be asked to donate
We have a very active off topic section that you are welcome to join in with the light hearted threads there

We also have a monthly newsletter that will keep you in touch with developments if you wish you can join by clicking Groups

[Caroline]

Hello Dave from the Northcoast,

Welcome to Psoriasis club.
I understand your sensible minimalism regarding medication. But as you say, you don't wanna wreck your body and I think at a certain point that means medication.
Myself I have exchanged running for spinning. As I think that to keep on moving is very important for your health.

MTX to my opinion is a no go, I hate it, it is an old medication developed for the treatment of cancer. It has strong immune suppressive sides.
Cosentyx is gaining a very quick and good press as it works quite well for the arthritis. We have several members on it with very good stories.

There are more systemics, but they are not available at your side. Ehm, that is, they are, but not for psoriasis, for ms and because of that too expensive.

Have a walk around at the forum, we have very friendly members a lot of experience and we like to read, hear and discuss all kinds of things on psoriasis and also on other things.

You mention that you have almost not been ill during your arthritis time, I recognise that but I do not have an explanation. Btw, I have the flu right now. Snif.

Cheers,
Caroline

[Kat]

Welcome Dave! Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope your doctor helps you find the right treatment for you. This forum is great for info and there's a lot of nice people around.

[Fred]

Hello Dave   to Psoriasis Club.

I was much the same and mostly just got on with it. That was until the psoriatic arthritis struck me down hard. I gave in and asked for help and was put on the Bio's, I have to admit I was a bit worried about my immune system but to be honest I had no choice as I couldn't move and life was hell.

I'm pleased to say the Bio's gave me back my life in a way I never thought possible, and my concerns about my immune system have never been a problem and I'm now on my 10th year of using Bio's and have recently moved onto Cosentyx and I have to say it's the best ever for psoriatic arthritis so far and I've only been  on it a couple of months.

Yes Cosentyx is different to Humira and Enbrel. You can rad more about the Bio's here: Biological Treatments For Psoriasis

As for backgrounds in medicine. No I'm sorry but we are just people like your self, some of us have a lot of information to share but none of us are professionals. Also we wouldn't allow professionals to post or answer questions on Psoriasis Club as we like to remain totally independent.    

In regard to a remedy that won't wreck other parts of your body, you could try something natural but I'm not a fan and even some natural treatments can wreck your body if you get it wrong.  

I would say if you can get Cosentyx. Go for it and give it a three months trial, you can always stop taking it if it's not for you and the Bio's are safer than a lot of people think.

Good luck on your choice, and don't hesitate to start another thread about your journey if you wish.

Regards.

Fred.

[northcoast]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. 

I'm going to ask about Cosentyx when I go in next Wednesday, but the concern is always whether or not insurance will cover it.  We shall see.  

I'll continue read the back-threads to see what everyone is doing for their treatments.  Very glad I found this site, because I'd rather read personal reviews/stories than theoreticals on the websites from the companies.  And the doctors can sometimes be a little too afraid to give opinions for fear of lawsuits and such.

Thanks again for the replies!

[jiml]

I hope you can get it and you get approval from your insurance company .....I think they may have a help program to assist with the cost.

Enjoy your time here and to see more Cosentyx threads just enter it in the search facility  Search

[Turnedlight]

Hi Dave, nice to meet you!

[D Foster]

Hi Dave from the North coast welcome to the club, I hope that you get sorted out and get the right treatment for you..
Take care Dave from the East coast.

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