Intro & Opinions

[aecrawford1]

Hello All!!

Ive had plaque/scalp psoriasis since I was 17 (Now 30). I have been anywhere on the scale from mild to moderate to severe. Tried tons of medications, from topicals to injections to pills.

A few years ago, I was covered with spots and my dermatologist suggested Stelara. OMG this is a miracle drug. I went from my back completely covered in plaques to %100 clear. I seriously LOVED this medication. Buuuuut, I became pregnant with my first child, So I had to come off of the medicine for the duration of my pregnancy. And the plaques started flaring back up.

After I had my first baby, I tried to get back on Stelara, but my insurance made me try Humira first (im assuming because its cheaper). I HATED Humira. My husband hated Humira. He was the one that would have to pull the trigger on those self injecting pens they give you, and they suck. I cried every time. More importantly I never saw any improvement. Went Back to my doctor and we tried again for Stelara, Insurance approved it this time, however, I only saw about 50% clearance.

Once again I became pregnant with my second child so I had to come off of Stelara. After the baby, the doctor suggested I try Otezla. I am currently on Otezla. Ive been on Otezla since January. Im really not seeing any results. Plus, I feel like my stomach hurts more often than not now. And i'm not liking taking 2 Otezla pills every single day.

I've got a doctors appointment this Thursday to see if I can try something else, I just don't know which way to go. Ive seen commericals for cosentyx or Taltz, how does everyone feel about these? Should I try the Stelara again? Do I have any other options?

Thanks,
aecrawford1

[Caroline]

Hello aecrawford1,

Welcome to psoriasisclub, a nice bunch of sufferers of all kinds of Psoriasis.

Fred will kick in I think, and tell you some things about Stelara.

I think the most logical thing is to go back to Stelara.... but I can guess that your derm wanted to give you something different as it is very well possible that you have built up anti bodies against Stelara now. That may happen if you stop a treatment,which of course is necessary during pregnancy.

You can try however.
If Humira and otezla don’t work, then they are just not for you.

You could try Taltz or Cosentyx, but both are more aimed at psoriatic arthritis.

Cheers,
Caroline

[Fred]

Hello aecrawford1   to Psoriasis Club.

I'm a big fan of Stelara especially for psoriasis, but I can understand them wanting you to come off it because of the pregnancy. I'm not a fan of Humira and don't know of many that have done really well on it.

I'm currently on Cosentyx and there are very good reports from our members for that and Taltz. I can't comment on Taltz but I will say that Cosentyx hasn't been as good as Stelara for psoriasis, it has however been great no more than great  for psoriatic arthritis and that is the most important to me.

If I was you and you don't have psoriatic arthritis I would try Stelara again. If you have psoriatic arthritis then yes go for Cosentyx.

I don't know much about your healthcare system, but it does seem based on what they want to sell or promote.  

At the end of the day it's your body. If Stelara was that good to you then I would go for that again and hold the others in reserve. Just don't go getting pregnant again.  

Regards.

Fred.

[aecrawford1]

Hello aecrawford1,

Welcome to psoriasisclub, a nice bunch of sufferers of all kinds of Psoriasis.  

Fred will kick in I think, and tell you some things about Stelara.

I think the most logical thing is to go back to Stelara.... but I can guess that your derm wanted to give you something different as it is very well possible that you have built up anti bodies against Stelara now. That may happen if you stop a treatment,which of course is necessary during pregnancy.

You can try however.
If Humira and otezla don’t work, then they are just not for you.

You could try Taltz or Cosentyx, but both are more aimed at psoriatic arthritis.

Cheers,
Caroline

Thank you Caroline!!! Im glad I found this little Club. Its nice to have other people with psoriasis to talk to and get advice from!!

[aecrawford1]

Hello aecrawford1   to Psoriasis Club.

I'm a big fan of Stelara especially for psoriasis, but I can understand them wanting you to come off it because of the pregnancy. I'm not a fan of Humira and don't know of many that have done really well on it.

I'm currently on Cosentyx and there are very good reports from our members for that and Taltz. I can't comment on Taltz but I will say that Cosentyx hasn't been as good as Stelara for psoriasis, it has however been great no more than great  for psoriatic arthritis and that is the most important to me.

If I was you and you don't have psoriatic arthritis I would try Stelara again. If you have psoriatic arthritis then yes go for Cosentyx.

I don't know much about your healthcare system, but it does seem based on what they want to sell or promote.  

At the end of the day it's your body. If Stelara was that good to you then I would go for that again and hold the others in reserve. Just don't go getting pregnant again.  

Regards.

Fred.

LOL. that made me laugh! We are stopping with 2 children! No more pregnancies for me, God willing. I do not have psoriatic arthritis, I suppose I will ask the Doctor about getting back on Stelara and giving that one more shot. (no pun intended). I did LOVE this medicine while I was on it.

[Fred]

I suppose I will ask the Doctor about getting back on Stelara and giving that one more shot. (no pun intended). I did LOVE this medicine while I was on it.

Yeah go for it. The others and those waiting in the corner will still be there later for you.

[Caroline]

I think that is a wise decision.
Just try if it works.
A lot of the medications are, despite they are specifically aimed at Psoriasis, still kind of trial and error because we all as patients are all so different.

If you like us, stay with us for a while, and report on the results, we always like to know how a treatment works out for someone, so the forum will get richer in knowledge.

Most of the guys are nice. The girls of course definitely are great.  

[Turnedlight]

Hi!
I'm surprised what you say about Humira hurting, I never had any probs doing it myself. However, like you it didn't work. I won't do the Stelara injections though, I'm too chicken lol!

[jiml]

Hi aecrawford and a late   to the club from me ....I can't give any advice or opinions on the biological drugs having never taken them ....but I would be inclined to give stelara another go and hope it kicks in and gives you clearance ...it might take a while as with two young children I would imagine life can be stressful

Good luck with whatever you choose


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[mataribot]

There is one primary reason for Otezla- It requires virtually no lab maintenance. Otezla causes gastro problems so it's typically started at a lower dose. Because of that, most don't see any results until the 4th month if any at all. Assuming non ACA insurance, they should cover either Consentyx or Taltz. Oh, make sure to request a syringe the taltz auto injector is worse tha a jack hammer.