Taltz - Kat's journey continues

[Kat]

That could be an option Fred.

The injection area is a bit sore today. There is a small welt but it's not red, it looks a bit like after getting stung by a wasp, a small amount of swelling. I did read where that is a common side effect so I'm not concerned about it or anything. I can feel that it's tender just with clothing rubbing against it and if I touch the area it is sore. Hopefully that will be gone by tomorrow.

[Fred]

  I can feel that it's tender just with clothing rubbing against it and if I touch the area it is sore.

What about something like a little round plaster on the injection site for a day or two to stop it getting aggravated ?

[Kat]

Well today the swelling isn't there but there is a round red circle. About 2-3 inches (5-7 cm)

Thought about a plaster (aka band-aide?) but the area is a bit too big unless I want the adhesive part to be on the area which I think could irritate it. I'm being careful not to have anything rubbing against it when possible. It's just annoying is all. It's just a reaction at the injection site, but I didn't have a reaction during week 0 when I did two injections. I took a picture, but not comfortable with posting it as sharing my not so flat stomach picture or going close up where you can see the pores in my skin is just a bit more than I want to share with you all.

[Fred]

Well today the swelling isn't there but there is a round red circle.  About 2-3 inches (5-7 cm)

Thought about a plaster (aka band-aide?) but the area is a bit too big unless I want the adhesive part to be on the area which I think could irritate it.  I'm being careful not to have anything rubbing against it when possible.  It's just annoying is all.      It's just a reaction at the injection site, but I didn't have a reaction during week 0 when I did two injections.  I took a picture, but not comfortable with posting it as sharing my not so flat stomach picture or going close up where you can see the pores in my skin is just a bit more than I want to share with you all. 

Yes band-aide.

I also have some images I wouldn't post on here, but it is a good idea to keep some for personal reference.

My last suggestion would be a piece of Medical Gauze

But enough of my suggestions, good luck with it.

[jiml]

Sounds unpleasant Kat I hope it gets easier for you and you start to get results soon

[Caroline]

Sounds unpleasant Kat I hope it gets easier for you and you start to get results soon 

Yeah, seems unpleasant, but limited unpleasant. It seems doable, right. ?

[Kat]

Yes it's doable.

The reaction site is bigger now Sore and a bit itchy. I've searched around a bit and it seems to be a common reaction to Taltz.

Can't say I'm a huge fan right now, but if it clears me up then I'll change my mind I'm sure!

I've noticed my ankles getting a bit worse, but we'll see. I need to get better confirmation on exactly what's going on with them. I should have kept dates better but I noticed the ankles actually getting stiffer again about a week before starting Taltz. No improvement there but not totally sure there isn't something else going on.

[jiml]

I hope the ankles improve as the taltz starts to kick in as I hope it will soon Kat and you are able to get something to numb the site and make the injection more bearable

[Kat]

Thanks Jim!

The injection itself is tolerable, I've had more stinging from where nurses have drawn blood before letting the alcohol wipe dry! Don't get me wrong, I don't like the stinging but as long as the pen isn't cold, it's not too bad. It's the pain part that I'm not sure what to call it at the end and now the injection site reaction that's a bit less bearable honestly.

Hopefully it will clear up soon and even more hopefully so will the psoriasis!

[Kat]

I REALLY hate using something when trying to see how well a new treatment is working.  Also afraid that it would make the doctor's think it's working better than it perhaps is BUT... sometimes when faced with scratching and creating possible issues doing that or putting on a topical to offer some relief... well you do what you must! 

So last Tuesday I had enough, I was itching and even had some swelling on the back of my neck and soreness from scratching.  I try REALLY hard not to scratch, but I'll do it absent mindedly or even in my sleep and then it sets it off to where I find myself sometimes clawing away!  So Tuesday evening, I gave in and used the Taclonex.  It helps, but it is short term help with itching, it does clear things up a little bit.  Anyway had an appointment with my primary doc yesterday and had him look at the sore spot on my neck, I told him I was certain it was from aggravating the psoriasis, but I had a soft lump there.  He took a look and agreed but he's like Oh My you're having a bad flare!  I told him actually things were better (as in better since using the Taclonex) so he asked if the med was working.  I told him I didn't really think it was but that the topical actually DOES help but it's very short term.  Anyway, long story short, he told me to try some Zyrtec at night (I told him I have not been sleeping well due to the itching) and so last night I took some before bed.  I SLEPT! AND>>> NO OVERNIGHT ITCHING!!!  Now I don't know for sure if I was just so worn out that I slept or if the Zyrtec actually helped and same with the iching since I had just used the topical the day before (it calms the itch for a day or two.  It DOES NOT EVER get rid of the itch but can take it from this is driving me crazy itching to more of a this is really itchy but it's ok I can leave it alone)  Anyway primary doc said if I don't think it's working call dermatologist and tell them. 

I think it's too soon (but also was soon on the Cosentyx)  I actually have felt that the psoriasis has gotten worse with the Taltz and I don't like that I had a reaction.  I have my next two doses already so I think I'll continue and use those and then if I feel it's not better I'll call before getting the next doses delivered.  If I continue to feel it's getting worse I may have to call them sooner. 

Just to note, Zyrtec is an antihistamine mostly for allergies.  It can also help make you tired or drowsy.  I'll be taking it at night for a bit to see if it helps with itchiness during the night that has gotten bad for me lately.

Photo of Tuesday, right before applying Taclonex:



And Wednesday morning, you can see it looks a bit better:



Understand, I concentrate on posting pictures here behind the one ear.  This shows how the Taclonex calmed the area down and put me mostly back to where I usually stay at it seems.  However, ... sometimes the lighting makes things look better (or worse) also I am only showing the area that I feel mostly represents what is going but sometimes when I say it feels worse you may think it looks better or the other was around.  I mention it only as a reminder that when we sometime tell people wow that looks better... we might need to remember that the picture isn't always totally accurate and make certain we follow their words as to if it FEELS better or not.  Pictures just don't tell the whole story at times.    But they sure help when trying to explain things, so I'll keep posting them!  Okay that's my public service announcement for the day!