Health Boards
Tue-30-09-2014, 15:15 PM
I know a lot of people here prefer one over the other. I'm currently on Acitretin which other than topicals and UVB is the only treatments I've tried. I haven't gotten the results (so far) I had hoped for, it doesn't seem to be helping all that much with the psoriasis on my scalp. So, I'm preparing for my next dermatologist visit, which is a month away. I'm trying to get better educated on treatments and will be the first to say that I do NOT have a scientific mind so a lot of technical talk on meds flies right over my head. So here goes:
Medications for psoriasis.... if I understand correctly they are fighting the symptoms of psoriasis. They can help slow down cell growth but are more designed to help with the redness and flaking and hopefully decreasing it. Once you get it under control, the meds can help keep you from flaring, perhaps because of lessening the symptoms and thereby helping a body keep it under control? The side effects vary by person and can be mild or harsh. I only know about Acitretin, but since it can "damage" a baby if the woman is pregnant, one can't help but wonder what exactly they are putting in their system.
Biologics.... Seem to work the "best" and I can only base this by reading this forum and also since my dermatologist said it's an option but in his case (or perhaps insurance) it's the last treatment he goes to. Since he said he tries to start at the lowest treatment and work up to see what works, I take it that biologics (in his opinion) is the highest treatment, but the one with the highest risks. My guess (again, I guess a lot) is that would be because it can affect the immune system. I know (from here) that there are side effects (mostly flushing) but no one (here) seems overly worried about that. However, if I understand correctly, the biologics target the T-cells (not that I know what those are) and directly fight the disease where it is started.
I'm not trying to say one is better than the other, first what works best for each individual is going to be different. What I'm trying to do is understand these medications. I want to understand enough to ask the dermatologist questions and to be part of what (IF it becomes necessary) the next step would be for me. I'm not trying to have this be a debate over one being "better" than the other, but I would like to know for those who prefer one over the other, why it is they think it is the better choice for them. Also, if so inclined, why you wouldn't use one or the other.
Medications for psoriasis.... if I understand correctly they are fighting the symptoms of psoriasis. They can help slow down cell growth but are more designed to help with the redness and flaking and hopefully decreasing it. Once you get it under control, the meds can help keep you from flaring, perhaps because of lessening the symptoms and thereby helping a body keep it under control? The side effects vary by person and can be mild or harsh. I only know about Acitretin, but since it can "damage" a baby if the woman is pregnant, one can't help but wonder what exactly they are putting in their system.
Biologics.... Seem to work the "best" and I can only base this by reading this forum and also since my dermatologist said it's an option but in his case (or perhaps insurance) it's the last treatment he goes to. Since he said he tries to start at the lowest treatment and work up to see what works, I take it that biologics (in his opinion) is the highest treatment, but the one with the highest risks. My guess (again, I guess a lot) is that would be because it can affect the immune system. I know (from here) that there are side effects (mostly flushing) but no one (here) seems overly worried about that. However, if I understand correctly, the biologics target the T-cells (not that I know what those are) and directly fight the disease where it is started.
I'm not trying to say one is better than the other, first what works best for each individual is going to be different. What I'm trying to do is understand these medications. I want to understand enough to ask the dermatologist questions and to be part of what (IF it becomes necessary) the next step would be for me. I'm not trying to have this be a debate over one being "better" than the other, but I would like to know for those who prefer one over the other, why it is they think it is the better choice for them. Also, if so inclined, why you wouldn't use one or the other.