Health Boards
Sat-02-07-2022, 13:44 PM
The last dose of Methotrexate was on May 5, 2022. The daily nausea side effect gradually worsened over the five months I tried the medicine. My skin did mostly clear, though, leaving only very small patches and discoloration where the worst patches were, but it was mostly smooth and free of itch.
Gradually, the skin grew new patches with variable itchiness.
I increased my dose of Humira (primarily used for Crohn's Disease since 2012) on June 9 to taking it every week rather than every other week.
First off, I felt better, overall, quickly. My breathing improved noticeably (I have Crohn's in my lungs as well as gut). And my energy levels improved.
My gastroenterologist and I came up with this plan to give weekly Humira a try, just in case it would help the rashes (or make them worse) before switching to something else. Blood tests had shown the levels of Humira in my sample were barely inside the therapeutic range.
I'll repeat a spirometry breathing test in August and consult with pulmonologist afterward to see if the breathing improvement is in my imagination or verifiable. So many doctor co-pays! Sigh.
So . . . in the first couple of days after I take the weekly dose of Humira, the rashes look better. They are mainly where I sweat while skating, lower legs and groin. But they are nowhere near as wide spread and uncomfortable as they were before using Methotrexate.
I'm using a mild steroidal ointment only between a couple toes on each foot and only rarely. I've used an over the counter hydrocortisone cream on the spots in my genital area a little more often but not daily. If I use the steroid ointments later on, I'll be much more cautious because I believe they made the patches worse in the long run as I used them last year under the advice of the first dermatologist I saw (he was an arrogant man who did not give good advice for steroid usage).
My second dermatologist (she's very good!) is on maternity leave but will return soon. I have an appointment with her on August 2.
That's my update for now. Thanks for reading.
Gradually, the skin grew new patches with variable itchiness.
I increased my dose of Humira (primarily used for Crohn's Disease since 2012) on June 9 to taking it every week rather than every other week.
First off, I felt better, overall, quickly. My breathing improved noticeably (I have Crohn's in my lungs as well as gut). And my energy levels improved.
My gastroenterologist and I came up with this plan to give weekly Humira a try, just in case it would help the rashes (or make them worse) before switching to something else. Blood tests had shown the levels of Humira in my sample were barely inside the therapeutic range.
I'll repeat a spirometry breathing test in August and consult with pulmonologist afterward to see if the breathing improvement is in my imagination or verifiable. So many doctor co-pays! Sigh.
So . . . in the first couple of days after I take the weekly dose of Humira, the rashes look better. They are mainly where I sweat while skating, lower legs and groin. But they are nowhere near as wide spread and uncomfortable as they were before using Methotrexate.
I'm using a mild steroidal ointment only between a couple toes on each foot and only rarely. I've used an over the counter hydrocortisone cream on the spots in my genital area a little more often but not daily. If I use the steroid ointments later on, I'll be much more cautious because I believe they made the patches worse in the long run as I used them last year under the advice of the first dermatologist I saw (he was an arrogant man who did not give good advice for steroid usage).
My second dermatologist (she's very good!) is on maternity leave but will return soon. I have an appointment with her on August 2.
That's my update for now. Thanks for reading.