Stelara - Kat's journey

[Kat]

I'm definitely happy with the improvement! But .. I'm greedy!!!

Some days the redness isn't as bad, other days the scaling is a bit worse. But every day is still itchy.

At least the pictures help explain where I am better than my words can.

[eeloe]

It's so weird how it affects everyone differently.

From about 2 hours after i got my first injection, my itching has completely gone!

[artemie]

I say, I say =] definitely an improvement, looks a lot better and less active, which can be a total pain in the... the... unmentionables

[Kat]

It's so weird how it affects everyone differently.

From about 2 hours after i got my first injection, my itching has completely gone!

Yes, on the one hand you'd expect it to either "work" or "not work" but since we're all different then the experiences vary so much from one to the other. I agree that it's weird

That's what makes places like the Psoriasis Club so valuable is getting to read how other people react to treatments so that when something works (or doesn't) then we know we're not alone. Wait did I say "places" like Psoriasis Club?? There is no other place like this! Oh I know there are other places, but NONE like this!!

So glad you had such speedy results with Stelara! It's worked well for a LOT of people. I don't put me in the category of it not working (as you can see in the pictures, I've had good results although I do still credit the topical with a lot of that)

[Kat]

I say, I say =] definitely an improvement, looks a lot better and less active, which can be a total pain in the... the... unmentionables

[jiml]

Hi Kat yes your pictures show a huge improvement I agree, but the Psoriasis is still active and to be honest I would have expected more after the amount of time you have been on it and think if it was going to clear you it would by now or at least show no activity, but your skin still looks raised to me. It’s hard for me to say what I would do with a partial clearance like that as I haven’t been in the situation and have not progressed to biologicals yet. Personally I would be reading up on the next best treatment that targets different cells like Cosentyx which targets IL-17 rather than the ones stelara targets IL12 and 23

Hope something works better for you soon  

[Kat]

Thanks Jim and yes, I'm definitely keeping my options open.  I want to take the time to make an informed choice though.  I'm not the most patient when it comes to things like this so I have to make myself not rush to a decision  

So far I worry a bit about Cosentyx.  Although I do not have Crohn's disease, I do have some issues and so I'm not sure it's the way to go.  Tremfya doesn't seem to have as many issues but also there isn't as much info on it.   The brochure on Tremfya lists the following as side effects:

Infections such as flu, sinus infections or upper respiratory infection in 14.3%
Headache  4.6%
Injection site reaction 4.5%
Joint pain 2.%

The percentages are from a clinical trial.  It also says side effects most happen with initial dose and may decrease and are normally mild.

Tremfya targets the cytokine called interleukin 23 (IL-23)  which appears to be one that Stelara targets.  Hmmm, that stuff is over my head honestly but makes me wonder if I should rethink as Cosentyx targets something different......

Edit: "rethink" was the wrong word as I haven't made any decision nor am I leaning any particular way. I'm more thinking out loud when I'm chatting here as I still have a lot to read up on.

[jiml]

I like how you think out loud Kat yes they all have risks and it's a matter I suppose of evaluating the pros and cons to your circumstances and of course the medical profession won't take risks however slight for fear of litigation

If you have something similar to crohns that concerns you, yes think hard at what might happen while on cosentyx and also how likely it is to happen before making a decision

[Fred]

I noticed Tremfya also mentions diarrhoea and stomach pain the same as Cosentyx. I only have to look at some foods and regret it in the morning, but I've had no problems with Cosentyx.

Stelara is recommended for crohns so that may be something to keep in mind.

At the end of the day we can read all the side effects and even what others say here, but it's not till we try it ourselves that we can judge.

Go with what your heart tells you.

[Kat]

Well the problem is I've always been better at thinking with my head than my heart and my head isn't very scientific  

But I know, there is a lot to consider.  Going to get some advice from the doctors (rheumatologist and primary care)  I think that could help.  Won't hurt anyway.

And yes Jim, the stomach issues I think are a concern, perhaps for both.

And Fred, you're right, I won't be able to know for sure unless I try them......but then if I have problems and can't go back to Stelara... well that could be bad.