New member, 2 new treatments

[Cactusmouse]

Hi, I've been battling this since 2013, induced by stress.  After trying every kind of topical option, I was approved for Stelara with my insurance in Dec 2015.  After undergoing initial blood tests, I had two TB Gold tests come back "indeterminate".  Both my physician and dermatologist had never seen this before. They are usually either positive or negative, right?   We first thought it was a lab error but after the second one they wanted me to go to an infectious disease specialist.  I could not find one to except me so I put it on hold until the new year....and then I got a cold, then I got a sinus infection, then I got busy, then an event of extreme stress and constant anger causaed an outbreak of Shingles on my forehead! (Ocular nerve from eye to brain was affected. I was 39 years old!).  That virus and the 3,000 mg a day of anti-viral medicine for 10 days knocked me down for a month. Anxiety and anger was replaced with withdrawal, depression and a massive outbreak of psoriasis. Celexa changed my life emotionally,  that's another topic.  I'm so thankful for my physician.  In November 2016 I felt better than I had in over a year, so I decided to start the process of Stelara again. TB Gold negative!  I believe everything happens for a reason. Those two tests that didn't make sense happened because I was not meant to be on this injection yet. I am scared to think of how bad it. I have been if I had been on Stelara during that time. So as we started the process again, in the meantime they gave me Enstilar, luckily at no cost to me, due to a manufacturer incentive and a specialty pharmacy.   Four weeks later I got my first Stelara injection, Dec 1st.  I am anxious to see how well this works!

Side note - Enstilar is AMAZING, short term. On the 2nd day my skin was peeling and feeling very smooth.  On the 4th day the redness went away! On week 3, the week to take a break from it, it  started to come back and spread.  That was the first topical that ever made a difference to me.  I am happy to share a day 4 "before and after" picture if I can figure out how. Ha! 

[Kat]

Welcome!

That was a lot of stress to deal with but it sounds like you had a really good physician who is getting you where you need to be.  We've had quite a few members with stories of Stelara success so it will be great to find out how it works for you.

Lots of info and good people here.  There is information on how to posts pictures, Now where was it....

ahhh here we go:  [Group Specific]

[Fred]

Hello Cactusmouse   to Psoriasis Club.

I've not heard of an indeterminate, but like you said it was probably a good thing at the time. Stress is very bad for psoriasis as is anger, but at least you sound more positive about it now so a new start could be just what you need.

Don't hesitate to start a thread about your journey with Stelara in Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis if you wish, it's a good way of monitoring your progress and also could help others.

A lot of good reports coming from our members about Enstilar, maybe it's something they could consider giving all newbies starting a Bio just to get things moving and then let the bio do it's thing.

I see Kat has pointed you to the Images thread, if you still need any help just shout out somewhere and someone will be able to point you in the right direction.  

Regards.

Fred.

Oh and keep that anger at bay, it's not good for you.  

[jiml]

Hi Cactusmouse I'm glad you have found your way here, we are a growing band of sufferers, all with the same concerns and worries about psoriasis so   in and be among probably the friendliest group of sufferers you will meet on the internet..the site is kept spam and advertising free by Fred.... so all any of us will find here is genuine experiences and news of the latest developments in drug research
I'm sorry you had such a hard time getting onto Stelara ...but as you say in the long term, probably for the best

Feel free to join in and do keep us updated on your progress as it's a useful guide for you to monitor your progress and will undoubtedly help others ....

Good luck  



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[Grizzly Bear]

    Cactusmouse    

Nice to see you Cactusmouse


I'm on stelara and i must say, it's brilliant

Fingers crossed you get on with it.

Enjoy yourself on here Cactusmouse and ask anything you want to know about our dreaded horrible skin problem, we will do our best to answer you.

GB

[Ever-hopeful]

Welcome Cactusmouse! 

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