Hello to all

[Vautrinjr]

I came to this site via Twitter.

My Psoriasis score was a 56.

Hello to all and I am sorry for you having to suffer with Psoriasis.

I first was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis 21 years ago.

Then came the psoriasis.

I read about remission. My psoriasis has never gone into remission.

I have been treated with topical cortisteroids, vitamin D3, UVA with Psoralen, UVB, methotrexate, cyclosporine, prednisone, amevive, Raptiva, Enbrel, Humira, Stelara & Remicade.

The PsA symptoms have varied over the years.

I am currently struggling with my second bout of full body
Erythrodermic Psoriasis. I first experienced this in Oct 2010.

Both times it occurred after missing 1 or more Remicade Treatments.

I currently am off my remicade regimen due to an infected foot ulcer.

The hole in the bottom of my foot prevents me from soaking in a bath.

It is a crazy conundrum!

I get Remicade by infusion every eight weeks. When continuous, I have 5 clear weeks (0 P) followed by 1 1/2 weeks of plaque appearances, then treatment, then 1 1/2 weeks of plaques disappearing, then 5 clear weeks all over.

When I was on a every 6 week schedule, I was 100% clear.

The current insurer will not go for a 6 week schedule.

Again, hi to all.

[Caroline]

Hello Vautrinjr,

Welcome to Psoriasis club.

You are in a difficult situation. It's again the insurer that spoils your health. You are in the states, isn't it possible to sue your insurer for the result of missing a treatment ? It seems to be a direct relationship.
Or at least let them know that you are thinking on an action like that, it might help.

Caroline

[Fred]

Hello Vautrinjr to Psoriasis Club.

It sounds like you have done the rounds, probably not much help as I'm not sure how your system works but could you not change insurance to one that will cover you, or as it's giving you such good relief just pay for the extra yourself ?

Regards.

Fred.

[mataribot]

Wow, I'm sorry to here about condition. I know it can be difficult to stop and restart remicade due to various infections that can occur.

As far as your insurance goes, the only thing that can be done is fight the denial letter. Has your doctors considered combinit of treatments?

[jiml]

Hi and sorry to hear of your predicament it seems very unfair to reduce a treatment that is working well. I am not sure how long it will be in the U.K before we have to go down the insurance route, as our National Health service is overloaded and could soon collapse .
I wish you luck, if it was me I would fight the insurer and look around for other insurers. Do you know what the cost of your treatment is, if it is not to expensive take Fred's advice and pay for the extra treatments, which would be 2 a year .
Keep us informed and I hope the ulcer clears up soon
Jim

[Rosie]

Vautrinjr

[KyPrincess]

Hello Vautrinjr Welcome to the forum.

[Troll]

Hello Vautrinjr

[Vautrinjr]

Hello again and thank you for your welcome messages.

The 6 vs. 8 weeks is not a big issue. It means some inconvenience
at most.

I had to miss the last dose of the Remicade due to the infection.
This is a part of the drug protocol, not an insurance decision. Sorry
if that was not clear.

As to taking on the costs of addl tx, the remicade is $18,500 per dose.
My copay is 20%. It is already unaffordable. But it is the only med to
ever give me clearance. Plus it minimizes the PsA.

I went to the derm yesterday trying to get prednisone, cyclosporine &
methotrexate. The layering has worked in the past to give relief from
the erythroderma. He did not go for it and gave prednisone only.

We'll see. Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[Lady Bugley-Ah]

Hello Vautrinjr, welcome to the forum

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