Biologic Taltz

[Fred]

Handy having your wife with the respiratory infection too as it gives you something to measure it by. Good to hear it's helping the psoriatic arthritis, it's not yet prescribed here in France for psoriatic arthritis only psoriasis at the moment so maybe soon there will be another.

Good luck and thank you for updating.

[mataribot]

Are you using the syringe or the pen? The pen is always going to leave a bump, because of the pressure. The syringe is a bit better if you know the tricks to using it.

[PWSCHNEIDER1000]

I'm using the "pen". I used the Humira "pen" when I was on Humira.
The "pen" is easy to use and obtain from the mail order pharmacy.
The prescription process is as follows:

1) Patient sees his referring Physician (in my case a dermatologist)

2) Physician contacts a Taltz specialty pharmacy with patient information and prescription for Taltz treatment.

3) Taltz specialty pharmacy contacts patient for patient information (some patients aren't suitable for Taltz treatment).

4) Pharmacy checks with patient insurance carrier for coverage.

5) Pharmacy sends patient Taltz information treatment regimen.

6) Patient and pharmacy discuss and agree to begin treatment regimen.

7) First dose is delivered by FEDEX in refrigerated shipping carton as are all doses.

8) Patient begins Taltz treatment with pre-measured dose in a special delivery system ie: "pen".

9) Pharmacy remains in contact with patient by making weekly phone calls.

10) Taltz remains in contact with patient by making monthly phone calls.

[jiml]

That's very interesting to see how your system works ....to see it written that way it looks very simple  

[PWSCHNEIDER1000]

I am in week seven of my Taltz treatment.
I have fully recovered from the upper respiratory infection from 3 weeks ago.
I took my 4th pen injection of Taltz last night and have no injection site reaction so far.
My overall skin health seems to have reached a plateau.
My psoriasis continues to improve overall.
My arthritis has taken a small step backward. I have level 3 pain in my wrists and hands and low level pain in my shoulders that had been pain free during Humira treatment.
No other side effects to report.
I am in good spirits and seem healthy overall.
My general practitioner agrees, I saw him yesterday for an annual physical.

[Fred]

Good to hear the infection has gone.

Shame the arthritis has gone back a little, but it's still early days.

Long may it keep working for you, and thank you for updating.

[jiml]

Hi Phil it's good to read that the Taltz is working and you are over the infection, and the skin is continuing to clear...let's hope the arthritis will respond better as time goes on as Fred says it is early days yet
I hope it continues to work and it will be a long term clearance for you

Thanks for updating and building our knowledge of how effective these newer drugs are

Jim

[PWSCHNEIDER1000]

June 16, 2017 Friday

I am in week 13 of my Taltz treatment.
The treatment regimen changes to 1 injection per month after this one.
I am concerned that psoriasis will not continue to improve with only monthly injection.
During my weekly conversation with the Taltz people, I gave them notice of my concerns.
The Taltz agents took detailed notes of my psoriasis symptoms and is passing them on to the researchers.

My psoriasis continues to slowly improve.
I have a few areas left on my calves and ankles that are slow to respond to the Taltz.
Most all other areas have cleared.
Near the end of each 2 week injection, psoriasis felt like it might flare up but never did.
My psoriasis lesions have cleared an estimated 50%-60%.
The lesions are thinning and itch less.

My arthritis flares are currently at pain level 3-5. Most pain is in wrists and shoulders.
My GP suggested I add another 81MG tablet of aspirin daily. I take one 81MG aspirin daily to thin blood for stroke and heart attack prevention.
The extra 81MG is helping with the Arthritis. Pain level now back to level 1-3.

My experience with Taltz is positive.
I am NOT experiencing any other obvious symptoms.

I live on 10 acres which is in the middle of pollen season with a 1000 bugs including "Chiggers".
The "Chiggers" are barely large enough to see, about the size of a pin prick. When they bite or burrow in, they dissolve your flesh and itch like hell.
It's hard to know if I'm having a psoriasis flare or a "Chigger" bite.
The bite swells and and gets pink, similar to a developing psoriasis lesion.
Bathing more often helps with the bites.

I don't go outside without bug spray now.
Still enjoying life.

Phil

[mataribot]

I am still seeing benefits for taltz nearly a year later. It doesn't seem do as well for PsA in the hands and feet, but works wrll for the back.

[Fred]

Had to Google Chiggers interesting, maybe I should look at this more when not Merlotosed.

Back on track. Don't think about if the psoriasis will continue to improve with only monthly injection, you need the loading dose to get you going then the regular dose will keep it in check.

I've probably worded that wrong and if so ....................... oh well.

Good luck.

Fred.