Fumaderm - questions.

[Fred]

Fred- thanks , yes I had a read previously and tried to work out which ones were better than others, but didn't really come to a conclusion.  I had a read through different posts looking for the side effects etc, but as everyone is different I haven't came up with an answer.  I wonder if the derm has guideline to follow when prescribing these ? Ie cheapest first?? I should have did my homework earlier, but have always hid away from biologics.  But yes it would appear I have tried everything else and still no real quality of life.  If you have tried different ones, is your preference Stelera. ( the one that's working for you- ha) silly question    

Hello Angie, yes your dermatologist has a protocol to follow. Creams, Light, Pills, Bio's. As you can see the Bio's are always last, a lot of it is down to cost but they also say it's because the Bio's lower your immune system. (I agree they do, but so does Methorexate and it's poison) Moving on.  

Yes I prefer Stelara, and yes that's probably because it's been good to me over the past 5 years and it's just one simple teeny injection that I do at home every three months. Something like Enbrel was twice a week, it doesn't hurt or anything it just get boring doing it that often. Th upside with Enbrel is if you get an infection you can stop, but with Stelara once you've took the shot there's no turning back. Having said that I've only ever had the usual colds or bought of flu that we all get, I don't have the flu jab, and sometimes Mrs Fred will have a cold but I don't.

Which one is best? No one knows which one is best as it does depend on the individual. Some get great results from Humira but I ended up in hospital for a week after having a reaction to it, Remicade was my first and it was amazing but after a few months I had a reaction to that too so had to come off it. (which I didn't mind as Remicade is given intravenously and you sit around in hospital for hours)

Enbrel was probably the best it was fantastic for psoriatic arthritis, not so good for psoriasis but it did keep it down. Unfortunately it just stopped working, so the last one available then was Stelara luckily it worked. But that was for me you and others may be different, but having tried 4 of them I'm a big fan if your life is being ruined by psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis go for it, you can always stop and try another or come off them completely should it not be for you and there more becoming available so soon there will be a wide choice.

I would say in summing up, if one can manage on creams stick with it. I can't comment on the pills as I've only ever tried Methotrexate, and I would say to everyone avoid it at all costs. But is life is S**t then give the Bio's a try and claim back your life.