Bye bye Skillerence, hello Humira?

[OneBigItch]

Hi all, it's been a while since I last posted. I thought I'd give an update on things.

After over a year on skillerence with no real results but plenty of stomach cramps, and with my immune system dropping to 0.6 my derm has decided that I should move onto Humira.

Now, for full disclosure I thought I'd inform you that I suffer from terrible health anxiety and this isn't helped by reading the possible side effects which sound terrifying, with everything from TB to lymphoma.

This has been enough to make me think that maybe psoriasis may not be that bad after all.

If I do start Humira, what are the odds of any of the effects actually happening? I need to process this in order to move forward with treatment otherwise I think I'll not try anything again.

Thanks in advance.

[Caroline]

Too bad that Skilarence did not work for you. It should have started working after 6-8 weeks, your derm should have known that.
We over here in the Netherlands have a slow working version which prohibits the intestine cramps, they are not stomach cramps. The pill passes your stomach because of a stomach resistant cover.
The slow version is not available outside the Netherlands.
But 1. If it doesn’t work and 2. If your lymph’s get too low, it makes no sense continuing.

We over here hear reasonable results from humira, but also lots of failures, as far as I know only a very few of us are still on humira.
The described side effects have, again as far as I know, never been mentioned over here on the board.

Humira is a TNF blocker.
I have the impression that the TNF blockers do not work so well and that better results are being achieved by the IL-23 and IL-17 inhibitors.

[Fred]

My thoughts. It can take a long time to find what works for you and just as you think you have found it your system will get immune or even reject it. Psoriasis is very difficult to control and my personal opinion is that depending on the severity you may always be changing your treatment.

I'm a bit surprised they have suggested Humira as there are better bio's today, but yes it is a starting point of jumping through hoops to get the better ones. At least you are going bio and though some here will disagree I think it's the way to go if oral has failed.

Regarding health anxiety, I get why you are concerned but you shouldn't read too much into the side effects. Every medication has side effects (even life itself has side effects)  but with Bio's you can stop and it is very unlikely that you will get any long term problems.

I'm on my 8th bio in .................................. I think around 15 years and I'm still here.

No psoriasis isn't that bad compared to some things, but if you go on to get psoriatic arthritis trust me it's a life changer and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

What are your odds ? Ha tell me the lottery numbers for this weekend.

I would say you have tried the oral now it's time for Bio, no I won't lie to you it will certainly take time to find what works for you. But for me they have been life changes and I know I can always just stop taking them if I'm not happy.

Question: What are your odds of getting run over by a bus ?If you did would you die, get a few broken bones, or just walk away. You don't know as it hasn't happened, grab the Bio and give it a go .................................. you can always stop and drink green juice.

Good luck

[mataribot]

Since you are a bit worried, it may be helpful to have the nurse administer the first shot. There are two different methods to give the injection - pen and pre filled syringe. While the syringe is more scary, I think it hurt less. Just my 2cents

[Turnedlight]

I know where you’re coming from, I asked myself the same question whether it’d be safer just to have bad skin but not be on drugs. But then I got psa and learned that psoriasis is having a go at other parts of the body like the internal organs and in taking the bio and controlling the inflammation in your body I believe (as far as I understand) you should also be helping to minimise the affect on organs. It was one thing that swayed me anyway.
Like Fred I’ve been on quite a few bios now, some didn’t work for me - humira, taltz, some were great for a time then my body started getting used to them and stopped them from working.
Good luck with it all, I know it can be a hard thing to accept but you do get over that feeling.

[Forest Walker]

As for anxiety about side effects, I've been on Humira for 16 years for Crohn's Disease.  No lymphoma.  No cancers.  No bad side effects.  Recovered from all the colds and illnesses just as I would have without Humira.  Had dental work, etc.  But I now have a drug induced psoriasis.   

However, I would not allow my child to take it until he or she would be an adult age.  There have been unusual and fatal cancers developing in that age set.  If you are an adult, you are better able to tolerate this.  

I was very, very sick before starting Humira, and it gave me my life back.

[jiml]

Hey OBI  I'm sorry the skillarence didn't work for you and as Caroline said it's a shame that they left you on it for a year if it showed no sign of working, as you may remember I've been successfully using skillarence for over ten years but that doesn't help you
I agree it's time to move on and bio's are the way forward and hopefully humira will be the one that works for you, but as Fred has said I wouldn't worry about the side effects until you get one (and you should be closely monitored ) and if you get a serious side effect they will stop treatment, but I haven't read of any member having serious issues with bio's
I hope you can overcome the anxiety and go for it, after all you did a year on Skillarence with its side effect and no gain 

[OneBigItch]

Thanks for your replies guys it's really helped. I was quite worried when I read the side effects but after hearing from you guys I feel much better and am ready to get Humira as I'm tired of the constant itching!

I'll keep you updated with my progress. Wish me luck.

[Caroline]

Thanks for your replies guys it's really helped. I was quite worried when I read the side effects but after hearing from you guys I feel much better and am ready to get Humira as I'm tired of the constant itching!

I'll keep you updated with my progress. Wish me luck.

Good luck, Obi !!

[Fred]

Thanks for your replies guys it's really helped. I was quite worried when I read the side effects but after hearing from you guys I feel much better and am ready to get Humira as I'm tired of the constant itching!

I'll keep you updated with my progress. Wish me luck.

Good luck, Obi !!

Yes good luck, and welcome to the bio world.

Don't hesitate to start a new thread Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis about your journey if you wish.

Oh and you may want to change the treatment in your profile.