Health Boards
Tue-16-10-2018, 14:04 PM
Had a visit with the dermatologist last week.
I feel like I'm at a standstill. My scalp is still itchy and I have ... I'm not sure scaling is the right description even though that's what it is but more dry skin around the ear areas that flake off if I scratch (but small scales) also red patches in areas still. MUCH improved but of course I'd love to be totally clear so I asked the derm if she thought that would happen (I've only had 4 injections of Stelara, next one is in November) and she said no, she doesn't think I'll get totally clear on Stelara. She said Stelara is effective and has been around for a long time but that other biologics give better chances for getting 100% clear in her opinion. (Ok so why put me on Stelara and not one of the others ones? Yeah, I don't know I didn't ask)
She now recommends I switch to either Cosentyx or Tremfya. She said if I had any history with Crohn's disease or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) that Cosentyx is not the right choice as it will make it worse. I was tested a couple of years ago for Crohn's disease and it was determined that I didn't have it but since I had some signs pointing to Crohn's at the time, it makes me wonder if I should be leery of Cosentyx for me. ANYWAY.. I'm getting off topic.
I'm not totally sure what to do. The rheumatologist at my visit a few months back said it can take up to a year before knowing how well the Stelara is working for me. I started Stelara in January of this year. But if I could get the rest of this cleared up, I'm certainly open to trying something else.
I'll be checking out other threads in the next few weeks as I try to get better informed. That's what makes being here so great!!! Not just about getting the facts of the different treatments, but getting the personal experiences of others who are on the treatments is priceless!
I feel like I'm at a standstill. My scalp is still itchy and I have ... I'm not sure scaling is the right description even though that's what it is but more dry skin around the ear areas that flake off if I scratch (but small scales) also red patches in areas still. MUCH improved but of course I'd love to be totally clear so I asked the derm if she thought that would happen (I've only had 4 injections of Stelara, next one is in November) and she said no, she doesn't think I'll get totally clear on Stelara. She said Stelara is effective and has been around for a long time but that other biologics give better chances for getting 100% clear in her opinion. (Ok so why put me on Stelara and not one of the others ones? Yeah, I don't know I didn't ask)
She now recommends I switch to either Cosentyx or Tremfya. She said if I had any history with Crohn's disease or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) that Cosentyx is not the right choice as it will make it worse. I was tested a couple of years ago for Crohn's disease and it was determined that I didn't have it but since I had some signs pointing to Crohn's at the time, it makes me wonder if I should be leery of Cosentyx for me. ANYWAY.. I'm getting off topic.
I'm not totally sure what to do. The rheumatologist at my visit a few months back said it can take up to a year before knowing how well the Stelara is working for me. I started Stelara in January of this year. But if I could get the rest of this cleared up, I'm certainly open to trying something else.
I'll be checking out other threads in the next few weeks as I try to get better informed. That's what makes being here so great!!! Not just about getting the facts of the different treatments, but getting the personal experiences of others who are on the treatments is priceless!