Contracted Psoriasis during Desert Storm and on Biologics

[Kevinito]

Hello All,

So glad there is a board with others to empathize. A little background...

I contracted Psoriasis during Desert Storm in 1990 from CARC and depleted uranium and was sick with a 103.4 degree temperature for two weeks. I was hospitalized and flown to Weisbaden, Germany for observation. My military medical record concludes with "...probable bacterial syndrome". Needless to say, I've had an open case with the VA for over 25 years and have been denied service connection five times.

With that stated, I've felt my "Psoriasis" has been misdiagnosed and unique. The reason is due to all the "successful" therapies and medications I've taken over three decades ranging from: natural therapies, Otezla, Stelara, Humira, Enbrel, Corticosteroids and various light therapies. None have been successful and have resulted in unique side effects (e.g. psoriatic "doughnuts" on my skin, extreme behavioral changes, etc.). My "coverage" has ranged from 20% to 90% and is asymmetric.

My latest visit to the doctor resulted in prescribing Cosentyx with 8 syringes as a "loading dose".

I am curious if anyone has experiences these strange symptoms, had similar side effects or contracted Psoriasis in the military. Also, what should I expect from taking Cosentyx.

Thanks for the advice and I welcome your comments.

[jiml]

I'm you Hi Kevin and   to the club ....I'm afraid I don't have experience of biological treatments but many here have and I'm sure will be in contact, and one member I know for certain is ex military and will undoubtedly answer your questions
Good luck with the cosentyx it has proved very effective for lots of our members
Good luck and hope to hear more from you
Jim

[Grizzly Bear]

Hello All,

So glad there is a board with others to empathize. A little background...

I contracted Psoriasis during Desert Storm in 1990 from CARC and depleted uranium and was sick with a 103.4 degree temperature for two weeks. I was hospitalized and flown to Weisbaden, Germany for observation. My military medical record concludes with "...probable bacterial syndrome". Needless to say, I've had an open case with the VA for over 25 years and have been denied service connection five times.

With that stated, I've felt my "Psoriasis" has been misdiagnosed and unique. The reason is due to all the "successful" therapies and medications I've taken over three decades ranging from: natural therapies, Otezla, Stelara, Humira, Enbrel, Corticosteroids and various light therapies. None have been successful and have resulted in unique side effects (e.g. psoriatic "doughnuts" on my skin, extreme behavioral changes, etc.). My "coverage" has ranged from 20% to 90% and is asymmetric.

My latest visit to the doctor resulted in prescribing Cosentyx with 8 syringes as a "loading dose".

I am curious if anyone has experiences these strange symptoms, had similar side effects or contracted Psoriasis in the military. Also, what should I expect from taking Cosentyx.

Thanks for the advice and I welcome your comments.

Kevin to the mad house


I fully understand what you say mate in your introduction.

Consentyx is the best thing since sliced bread. I’m on it and it’s cleared my psoriasis up good and proper.

Fingers crossed that you get the same results too Kevin

Hope you stick around and keep us all updated with your progress.

GB

[Kevinito]

Thanks man! Any possibility of complete remission? I have heard that some treatments can do this...

[jiml]

I have been a sufferer all my adult life and have heard of things to cure or put it into remission, but if it's someone asking for money I can assure you it's likely to be a scam

To my knowledge there is nothing that will put it into permanent remission although some say diet does, I think the best you can hope for is to keep it under control, and that is a bit hit and miss as what works for me might not work for you .
My advice is to put your trust in the health service to give you the best treatment
Read here of others experiences and how they deal with it, read up on here of the available treatments so you can talk with your dermatologist knowledgeably  by reading Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis
And avoid scams and snake oil salesmen

[Fred]

Cosentyx goes after a different target than the other bio's you have tried, so it's well worth trying. You can read more about the different ones here: Biological Treatments For Psoriasis

Out of all the bio's I would say the one that works best going by our members is Cosentyx. But remember we are all different and what works for one may not work for another.

I have been on Cosentyx over two years now and at my last appointment my dermatologist said the psoriatic arthritis is now in remission, but I just can't get the psoriasis clear. If you are interested you can read my progress here: Cosentyx for psoriatic arthritis Fred's journey

Welcome to Psoriasis Club by the way.  

[Kevinito]

Thank you for the replies - I appreciate it!

Any strange side effects from steroidal treatment or biologics? I recall applying steroidal cream, applying generously on lesions and in the next few days, the lesion would quickly "grow" outside the application area making a torus/doughnut shape on my skin.

[Fred]

Thank you for the replies - I appreciate it!

Any strange side effects from steroidal treatment or biologics? I recall applying steroidal cream, applying generously on lesions and in the next few days, the lesion would quickly "grow" outside the application area making a torus/doughnut shape on my skin.

Different treatments have different side effects, steroid creams can cause problems on the skin but it would be best to start a new thread with a question on a specific treatment.

There is no limit to the amount of threads you can start.

[browneyedgirl]

Welcome! I have been using Cosentyx for almost a year now and my psoriasis is gone. I'm beyond thrilled!! Although I have had weird small places on the back of my head that are sore, but just went to my dermatologist 2 days ago for a 6 month check-up and she said I look great! I will say my psoriatic arthritis hasn't responded the same. I have joint pain every day, but it is not overwhelming at all like it has been years ago when it first flared. It's more an annoyance (I feel I have a higher pain tolerance) and am managing work okay. It's a desk job so not too taxing. I hope you have positive results with your new treatment because psoriasis is horrible to deal with - physically and emotionally. Sending good vibes your way!!!

[Raxyl]

Hi Kevin, and welcome to the forum, there is plenty of great experience and advice here. I have been suffering from P since the late nineties and have only tried a couple of Bio's but lots of other stuff.  I was prescribed Cosentyx in October last year and am now what I would consider 99.99% clear, no actual plaques, just some dryness and scarring.  I hope your experience is as effective as mine has been. 

So as not to clog your thread with my rubbish, if you are interested you can see my pictorial Cosentyx journey here; [Group Specific]