Hi, my name is Waine

[Waine]

Hi,

I'm from Cape Town, South Africa and am in my mid 50s. Have been diagnosed with PsA since 2020 but have had it probably since 2007 when it was first diagnosed as carpal tunneil syndrome. I've recently begun treatment with Humira after being on Methotrexate, Salazopyrin and anti-inflammatory pills. Unfortunately these caused my to develop Chronic Kidney Disease and Liver fibrosis, causing the need to switch. I am also on Prednisone, although my Rheumatologist wants to phase it out once the Humira is working effectively. 

It's nice to find a forum where other people can share experiences so that I don't feel quite so alone in the struggle, thank you to the founders and members!

[Caroline]

Hello Waine,

Goodmorning and welcome to Psoriasisclub.

MTX was senseless treating Psa, it only works a little for 19% of the sufferers, for the rest it does not work. Rheums do not seem to get that.

Anyway, maybe humira can solve something, but do know that there are other biologics, that are better.

We are a group of people with Psoriasis and/of Psoriatic Arthritis, spread all over the world.

In a few hours others will come online and welcome you.

Enjoy yourself with us, talking about psoriasis but also chatting about anything else.

Caroline.

[Waine]

Thank you, Caroline. 

Unfortunately our medical insurance requires 3 different DMARDs must be attempted before they will even consider Biologics. And to be fair the MTX did keep it a down a bit, but the side effects were horrible. When I had to stop it after dangerous complications with Gastric Varices the inflammation ran rampant for 3 months until the Humira could be approved. Now on my 4th dose and the response feels miraculous.

[Caroline]

Thank you, Caroline. 

Unfortunately our medical insurance requires 3 different DMARDs must be attempted before they will even consider Biologics. And to be fair the MTX did keep it a down a bit, but the side effects were horrible. When I had to stop it after dangerous complications with Gastric Varices the inflammation ran rampant for 3 months until the Humira could be approved. Now on my 4th dose and the response feels miraculous.

Great to hear.
Yes, MTX is dangerous medication.. very toxic.
I have used it too, but after 3 months I decided that it was better to have PsA, than to use this medication, so I quit with it.

As you live in South Africa… do you also speak Dutch? 
Anyway, it is summer time on your side, wonderful.
We have snow over here.

[Fred]

Hello Waine to Psoriasis Club

Yes I agree with Caroline about poison methotrexate, but like you say you have to fail on things to get the good stuff and that is why I always tell people to start immediately after diagnoses.

I hope Humira works for you, I wasn't so lucky and unfortunately had a reaction to it as I did with Enbrel too. It ended up that the TNF types of bio would always give me problems, that doesn't mean you will get problems as some have done very well on Humira but if you do want to know more about what other bio's are available this thread lists the current ones. Biological Treatments For Psoriasis

As for the forum, I'm the founder and you are very welcome. But it's our members just like you that keep me going, it gives me a buzz seeing a new member joining in and you will find a very friendly bunch of people from around the world so do please dive on in.

As Caroline said we don't just talk about psoriasis, we also have a very active members only section and if you were to venture in [Group Specific] you will find I'm the only sensible one here. 

Enjoy Psoriasis Club.

Regards.

Fred.

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[Waine]

As you live in South Africa… do you also speak Dutch?
Anyway, it is summer time on your side, wonderful.
We have snow over here.

Some people speak Afrikaans, which is derived from Dutch. When I was in Europe I found it more similar to Flemish than Dutch though, perhaps because it's my second language.

[Caroline]

As you live in South Africa… do you also speak Dutch?
Anyway, it is summer time on your side, wonderful.
We have snow over here.

Some people speak Afrikaans, which is derived from Dutch. When I was in Europe I found it more similar to Flemish than Dutch though, perhaps because it's my second language.

Yes, I get that. I have heard people from South-Africa speaking and it does differ in pronunciation and in way of sentence construction from the original Dutch language. Flemish is also a bit more poetic.

[D Foster]

Hi Waine, welcome to the club.
This place has more accumulated knowledge on the subject than anywhere else so you are in the best place. MTX is a terrible drug though injection is better than oral it's still one of the worst ones I ever took.
My best day was the day I started taking Stelara which is still working for me for the P and PSA after nearly 13 plus years.
Can I wish you a happy New year and reiterate my welcome.

[Turnedlight]

Hi Waine, welcome to the club.

I hope Humira does well for you, if not though, there’s more to try.

[Waine]

Thank you. So far the response has been outstanding. I'm just hoping my Kidneys and Liver co-operate.