Saw my dermatologist today and I will start on Cosentyx after insurance approval and blood work.
It’s been years since I was on a biologic but I am looking forward to it. I’m tired of playing the game with my hand psoriasis and I look forward to activities that I have had to avoid due to pain.
I’d love to know what you think about this medication. Thanks!
As far as was concerned it was a game changer, what allowed me to resume walking. Take it in conjunction with Methotrexate and my life has assumed normal connotations once again, Hope you will find it as useful, all the best
I’m glad to hear this! Great news for you. I’m excited to start it. This year has been very hard and I am hoping for some relief.
If you look on Jon Sparky’s thread ‘starting a new biologic’ he has just started Cosentyx.
I’m on it since last November. I’m on the 300mg dose (that’s two injection pens at the same time). I don’t suffer from psoriasis though - haven’t for years. The 5 week loading doses were incredible for me, just got better and better PsA wise each week.
When you go on on to the every 28 day routine afterwards it’s effectiveness does dip a bit but pulls up again around month 9 or 10. Or at least that’s what’s happening to me. I love it.
Remember this one has a 16 week wait and see time span not the more usual 12 week one. So very best of luck on it. It’s my 3rd biologic this far and by far the best one.
@Poo_therapy Thank you. I will look for that post. I’m glad it is helping you. I was getting worried based on some reviews that I found that it make not be as effective.
I have my first maintenance dose Monday, only 150mg for now, been doing better with it, but looking forward to another dose. Slept all day today, with chronic fatigue, but my Rheumy doesn’t like to call it that, because it is not a official symptom of PsA… Maybe the researchers should come on the chat rooms and see what the patients are dealing with?
Anyway, had a early appointment the last two days, so that might have added to the fatigue.
Every person is different, it is not the biologic, but how the person reacts to it, one can have tremendous remission and another can not have much of any, just have to give em a go for at least six months to give them a chance to kick in.
My son has been on Cosentyx for a couple of months now, and it has really helped clear up his remaining stubborn psoriasis patches. He’s now getting his monthly injections, so it’s still a bit early to tell if Cosentyx will work for him for a longer period. He does have some joint pain in his hands and shoulders, but for now, he says it’s tolerable. His doctor wants him to wean off the Otezla, as well, so we’ll see how that goes.
I think that bit classifying fatigue as a side effect of PsA is awful. I know my rheumy agrees with it but I know not all are the same. Fatigue can be harder than the pain sometimes.
Thanks. I plan on giving it the ole college try. In need to have some blood work done and call my rheumys office to check with him. My derm is taking the lead on this one. They work side by side.
Hope it helps us both!
I was on Otezla for a long time and I finally stopped taking it. The mood swings and intestinal problems were way too much. Other than that I loved the medication. It really helped. I hope your son finds some relief too.
I tried Otezla, I think it is awful stuff. It did not even help with the small patch of Ps. I remember the stomach issues were the worse. Someone once asked it Otezla caused weight lose, I said yes, you were to sick to eat!
Took my first maintenance shot, I must say it was a vast improvement, more like my experience with the other Biologics that worked. (Knock on wood) Amazing how fast it kicks in! Also strange that I get the light headed dizzy spells every time I do biologic injections, it was the same with the other ones I have tried, should have checked my blood pressure to see if it had dropped. If only lasts for a little while, and is not-in the list of side effects.
So no affected enthesitis areas at this time, happy to report!
Glad to hear that, I certainly found benefits. All the best ,
Oh yes. I lost a lot of weight too, not on purpose.
I’m glad the first dose went well. I also get light headed but it’s stress. I hate the injection process and I get too worked up.
Given this is your first maintenance dose following the 4 weeks loading doses, don’t for get that means you have had this med weekly now for 5 weeks. So the lightheadedness isn’t unsurprising. As you go onto the actual space of 28 days between doses it should ease off altogether. So glad it was a vast improvement this time anyway. Remember it can dip after the 5 weekly doses so give it a chance to bounce up again too.
No, this is the first maintenance dose it was spaced by a month from the loading dose.
Oh the instruction pack told me and obviously my rheumy that you have 4 weekly doses. The first maintenance dose is week 5 and then it’s every 28 days thereafter. So in real terms you get the same dose for 5 weeks straight and then go on to every 28 days. My first delivery on mine was 10 injection pens 2 per week given I was starting on 300mg. My fridge was full of the things!
Anyway I so hope you have the same success with it as I’m experiencing now 10 months on. Months 4, 5 and 6 it truly did dip a bit. I felt like I was only getting around 2 weeks out of it of the 4 weeks. However by month 8 and 9 it has definitely picked up again and I don’t appear to suffering any lack of it working throughout the 4 weeks.
Thank you for sharing! I am hopeful it works!