Health Boards
Mon-29-01-2018, 04:43 AM
Hi All! My name is Fred and I suffer from Psoriasis.
I've had it for about 6 years now and it has been getting progressively worse and worse. I'm a 49 year old male. Have been seeing a good dermatologist PA for years. His office practice sucks but he's one of the most caring and helpful people I've had the pleasure of meeting.
My condition is unique from what my derm tells me. Rather than having it in one spot I have it in many many spots all over my body. Small red spots on my thighs, arms, belly, and oh boy my back. The worst was my head. LARGE flakes always coming from there. They were typically raised and very scaly. I flaked all of the time. They were also itchy. Often scratched myself to bleed. No fun.
Anyway, I tried Stelara last year. Took it in April. Two shots to start. Started to see results in about 2 months. I was pleased! Then, I got a single shot to follow up and a short time later I noticed that my plaque was back. Each shot after did nothing to help really. At $19,000 a shot through my insurance I was clearly disappointed. I took my last Stelara shot on December 7th 2017.
My derm had been working to get me approved for Taltz. I just took my first two doses of Taltz on January 12th. One in the arm and one in my belly. It hurts like hell (I guess I'm a wimp) going in. You need to really press that button to make it work and to me it goes in slow. That last click takes a while.
The good news though is things have been GREAT. I am seeing TREMENDOUS effect from it. My head is smooth as is behind my ears. No flaking from the scalp. All of my patches are reduced or nearly gone! I can't believe how fast.
Today though, about a week and a half after the two starters I developed a raised red rash around the injection sites. They are somewhat itchy and painful to the touch. Some googling around lead me here and it appears that this is somewhat common. My derm told me to watch it and see if it spreads beyond what I see now. Also asked me to watch for any other symptoms like nausea, fever, and fatigue. Said he might want me to go get some blood work just to be safe.
Anyway, I am due to take my next single shot Friday the 26th. He told me to do it in the fatty portion of my leg and to avoid the other two areas. More than willing to share my results down the road if there is interest.
Thanks for reading!
Update: 1/28/2018
Just as an update for anyone who might be interested. The swelling and rash has gone down on my arm and on my belly were my first two injections went on the 12th. Last Friday I gave my injection in the fatty part of my thigh. This time I did let the medicine sit out for approximately 45 minutes before I administered. Unfortunately this time it would appear that the pain and swelling came within hours of the injection and is in fact still there. The central part of the raised area is nearly purple and hot to the touch. I’m taking Benadryl per recommendation of my derm and also Advil to try to reduce the pain. Honestly, I’m currently contemplating whether this is all worth it.
I've had it for about 6 years now and it has been getting progressively worse and worse. I'm a 49 year old male. Have been seeing a good dermatologist PA for years. His office practice sucks but he's one of the most caring and helpful people I've had the pleasure of meeting.
My condition is unique from what my derm tells me. Rather than having it in one spot I have it in many many spots all over my body. Small red spots on my thighs, arms, belly, and oh boy my back. The worst was my head. LARGE flakes always coming from there. They were typically raised and very scaly. I flaked all of the time. They were also itchy. Often scratched myself to bleed. No fun.
Anyway, I tried Stelara last year. Took it in April. Two shots to start. Started to see results in about 2 months. I was pleased! Then, I got a single shot to follow up and a short time later I noticed that my plaque was back. Each shot after did nothing to help really. At $19,000 a shot through my insurance I was clearly disappointed. I took my last Stelara shot on December 7th 2017.
My derm had been working to get me approved for Taltz. I just took my first two doses of Taltz on January 12th. One in the arm and one in my belly. It hurts like hell (I guess I'm a wimp) going in. You need to really press that button to make it work and to me it goes in slow. That last click takes a while.
The good news though is things have been GREAT. I am seeing TREMENDOUS effect from it. My head is smooth as is behind my ears. No flaking from the scalp. All of my patches are reduced or nearly gone! I can't believe how fast.
Today though, about a week and a half after the two starters I developed a raised red rash around the injection sites. They are somewhat itchy and painful to the touch. Some googling around lead me here and it appears that this is somewhat common. My derm told me to watch it and see if it spreads beyond what I see now. Also asked me to watch for any other symptoms like nausea, fever, and fatigue. Said he might want me to go get some blood work just to be safe.
Anyway, I am due to take my next single shot Friday the 26th. He told me to do it in the fatty portion of my leg and to avoid the other two areas. More than willing to share my results down the road if there is interest.
Thanks for reading!
Update: 1/28/2018
Just as an update for anyone who might be interested. The swelling and rash has gone down on my arm and on my belly were my first two injections went on the 12th. Last Friday I gave my injection in the fatty part of my thigh. This time I did let the medicine sit out for approximately 45 minutes before I administered. Unfortunately this time it would appear that the pain and swelling came within hours of the injection and is in fact still there. The central part of the raised area is nearly purple and hot to the touch. I’m taking Benadryl per recommendation of my derm and also Advil to try to reduce the pain. Honestly, I’m currently contemplating whether this is all worth it.