Continuing psoriasis treatment under threat of Covid-19

[Fred]

I am still going to stay on my Stelara which will have to be injected on the 29th March.
I am just keeping my fingers crossed, that I will be okay , I did have a text from the supplier today out of the blue assuring me that they will do their best which is a little concerning.

I'll be continuing with Cosentyx, but will keep an eye out for current advice and possibly review my decision then.  I suspect I will opt to continue regardless though.

I'm taking my next shot of Tremfya on Saturday as that is the current advice, from there on it's two months till my next shot so not a lot I could do anyway if they say no on Sunday.

[Turnedlight]

I did mine last night, it’s weekly so not much time to think about it! I have a headache today but that seems to happen every time.

[Fred]

I did mine last night, it’s weekly so not much time to think about it! I have a headache today but that seems to happen every time.

Good point, I used to get a mild flu like feeling sometimes with Stelara. We have to remember that when taking our treatment.

[Caroline]

I have increased my dose of DMF... :
That is because two days ago my left pointing finger suddenly started to be painful. The top joint, which really felt like a Psoriatic Arthritis flare up. By the end of today it is a little better.
Hoping that this will continue to get better, the apparent reaction to the DMF tell me also that the problems with the muscle in my bum can hardly come from the Psoriatic Arthritis, but from what is that then originating? I still don’t have a clue.

[mataribot]

We had a form to fill out passed around at work last Friday regarding the coronovirus and one of the questions was whether you suffered or had any history of the things that put you at more risk for complications from corona i.e diabetes, cancer, a weakened immune system etc.

I answered yes to this question and stated I was on methotrexate which suppresses my immune system.. in the very least I expected to be called in to the office for a chat but I haven't been.. meanwhile a colleague that suffers from diabetes (40 years old) has been sent home for atleast 2 weeks and another (60s) that has just recovered from a bout with pneumonia has been too. 

Does this seem right or should I be concerned that in the very least I haven't been spoken to? I am unsure as to how at risk I am so I am a bit baffled as to how they can make that call? Is it because I am relatively young (33) that I am not seen as being at risk?

MTX can impact your lungs (see warnings), but not sure at what dosage it becomes a problem. MTX is a cancer treatment, and typically taken in much larger dosage.

Diabetes is permanently suppress the immune system for most people even with insulin. It takes a consistent controlled diet, exercise, and insulin to keep blood sugar spikes reasonable.

They are looking for people who are older (60+) or who have some sort of issue with lungs. But I don’t think 14 days now is much of a help since this is going to be a problem for months.

[LizzyD]

Hi Gang

Looong time since I’ve visited but, as usual, found exactly what I needed.

Long story short - chronic plaque psoriasis for 40+ years. Have had acitretin, methotrexate and now settled on Ciclosporin. Works well, blood tests fine, BP raised.

When the Corona virus started getting scary I stopped the ciclosporin. I’d rather have psoriasis than Corona - right???

Wrong!

Well 3 weeks later and psoriasis is back with a vengeance. Skin has been itchy/ irritated/ dry for a couple of weeks. Looked at myself in the mirror this morning and cried. 

A few biggish plaques, which I have tried to treat with Enstilar, but so many little dots of plaques starting to erupt 

Don’t think I’d realised til now how much psoriasis had affected my life and how different it’s been without it for the last few years.

So much info in this thread - thanks Fred and everyone else 

Going to go back on ciclosporin ✔️, and contact my dermatologist!

[Caroline]

Hi Liz,

Welcome back.

Yeah, psoriasis is certainly not great to experience. Can imagine that you are going back into the cyclosporine. Good luck with that, I hope it kicks in quickly again.
As for Covid, just be careful. Wash your hands regularly and stay out of the way of others.
I think it is better to not get it as you don't know how it will affect you.

Take care,
Caroline

[LizzyD]

Thanks Caroline

Yes I try to be careful but work For the NHS...
Work has been manic for the last couple of weeks, really exhausting.

That’s one of the reasons I stopped taking it. All the stress won’t be helping my skin

Nothing is ever straightforward!

[jiml]

Hi Lizzie good to see you thought of us when your psoriasis  started to flare .
Yes this is a great thread for information and advice that Fred started. I myself considered stopping and if it hadn't been for the club I would probably have stopped and been in a similar situation to you.
I'm glad you are going to start the ciclosporine again as the advice is to continue medication unless you display symptoms.

I'll take this opportunity to thank you and all NHS workers for the selfless work you are doing at this terrible time

[LizzyD]

Thanks Jimi 

I’ve found some good info on the British Assoc of Dermatologists. Won’t let me post a link, this is the website: REMOVED BY FRED
Hop you can find it from that!

Don’t think that advice was available when I was deciding what to do!