Taltz - Kat's journey continues

[Kat]

I REALLY hate using something when trying to see how well a new treatment is working.  Also afraid that it would make the doctor's think it's working better than it perhaps is BUT... sometimes when faced with scratching and creating possible issues doing that or putting on a topical to offer some relief... well you do what you must! 

So last Tuesday I had enough, I was itching and even had some swelling on the back of my neck and soreness from scratching.  I try REALLY hard not to scratch, but I'll do it absent mindedly or even in my sleep and then it sets it off to where I find myself sometimes clawing away!  So Tuesday evening, I gave in and used the Taclonex.  It helps, but it is short term help with itching, it does clear things up a little bit.  Anyway had an appointment with my primary doc yesterday and had him look at the sore spot on my neck, I told him I was certain it was from aggravating the psoriasis, but I had a soft lump there.  He took a look and agreed but he's like Oh My you're having a bad flare!  I told him actually things were better (as in better since using the Taclonex) so he asked if the med was working.  I told him I didn't really think it was but that the topical actually DOES help but it's very short term.  Anyway, long story short, he told me to try some Zyrtec at night (I told him I have not been sleeping well due to the itching) and so last night I took some before bed.  I SLEPT! AND>>> NO OVERNIGHT ITCHING!!!  Now I don't know for sure if I was just so worn out that I slept or if the Zyrtec actually helped and same with the iching since I had just used the topical the day before (it calms the itch for a day or two.  It DOES NOT EVER get rid of the itch but can take it from this is driving me crazy itching to more of a this is really itchy but it's ok I can leave it alone)  Anyway primary doc said if I don't think it's working call dermatologist and tell them. 

I think it's too soon (but also was soon on the Cosentyx)  I actually have felt that the psoriasis has gotten worse with the Taltz and I don't like that I had a reaction.  I have my next two doses already so I think I'll continue and use those and then if I feel it's not better I'll call before getting the next doses delivered.  If I continue to feel it's getting worse I may have to call them sooner. 

Just to note, Zyrtec is an antihistamine mostly for allergies.  It can also help make you tired or drowsy.  I'll be taking it at night for a bit to see if it helps with itchiness during the night that has gotten bad for me lately.

Photo of Tuesday, right before applying Taclonex:



And Wednesday morning, you can see it looks a bit better:



Understand, I concentrate on posting pictures here behind the one ear.  This shows how the Taclonex calmed the area down and put me mostly back to where I usually stay at it seems.  However, ... sometimes the lighting makes things look better (or worse) also I am only showing the area that I feel mostly represents what is going but sometimes when I say it feels worse you may think it looks better or the other was around.  I mention it only as a reminder that when we sometime tell people wow that looks better... we might need to remember that the picture isn't always totally accurate and make certain we follow their words as to if it FEELS better or not.  Pictures just don't tell the whole story at times.    But they sure help when trying to explain things, so I'll keep posting them!  Okay that's my public service announcement for the day!