Stelara advice wanted

[jiml]

My new dermatologist recommend I start with Stelara treatments. I have it a patch around my bellybutton, behind, scalp and a starting with a small spot on my face. I am concerned with the health risks. I am a 20 year old male college student. Very self conscious about my looks. Not sure what to do. Scared of the side effects. Any advice would be great.

Welcome to the forum Katie, in my opinion it sounds as if your dermatologist is offering you a very powerful treatment before exhausting other options , I would be inclined to go back and ask about oral alternatives that will probably give you clearance, without going on to biologicals so early in life
You are probably aware that you will possibly be on one medication or another on and off throughout your life.... No doubt Stelara will probably work well but your psoriasis sounds mild to me and could be treated with something like acetretin. Which will be better than the topicals you are currently on.... I would be inclined although im no expert, to leave strong biologics like Stelara until you have to take them, as nothing else works
It's just my opinion and no doubt wiser people than me will,offer alternative suggestions.

I hope you enjoy your time with us we are a small and friendly bunch of psoriasis sufferers all happy to pass on their experiences and support to others.
If you feel like a change venture into the off topic section where there is a chatting thread which is a good place to meet others and talk about anything or there are loads of other threads, and you will notice I am the only sensible person in there
Thanks for finding the forum and hope to read more of how you get yourself clear
from Jim