I had to stop my MTX after only 2 doses. I started bruising easily and had no energy. Blood work was fine, but I had UTI, sinus infection, and bronchitis. Now taking Sulfasalizine. I am told this is a step back, but I have to travel 100+ miles to see a Dermatologist. It has been 2 weeks and I am still waiting on an appiontment.
Actually it could be a step forward........ (REALLY!)
If sulfasalize gives you relief, you are ahead as it is is on the gentle side of things (and you can enjoy a glass of wine always an important thing, its shame to have a disease that drives you to drink only to have the bar closed) If it doesn't help you are MONTHS closer to a Biologic drug which are allmost always more effective and virtually no side effects. The only reason they don't start with them is co$t
The Sulfasalizine is not working. It seemed for about a week or two that it was working, but I am worsening again. My skin is clearing up in a few places, but I have flared up in other areas.My fingers are the most affected by the psoriasis and they will get better for about a week and then immediately get worse. I am in so much pain right now. I would do anything for a break from it!
Depending on your Doc (and your insurance) 8 weeks without improvement (it used to be 20%, but with most its now 50%) may be enough to get on biologic then how long is anyone's guess/ Is it just the skin or do you have some arthritis too??? Somtimes a few weeks of predi helps get things working better. The key is keep very careful track of you symptoms where you hurt, how much, how long etc etc AND where you don't. Journal effects, "pain level 8 doesn't cut it" I can't put on my own socks but I could a week ago helps. Pain levels are pretty meaningless. Some folks could have an arm cut off with out anethetic and not have it affect them, then there are others who freak from the pain from the sub-dermal needles many of the Bio drugs use (sometime wonder how the can handle any level of the disease??). Your doc may sympathize with "I hurt" but concrete information will help him devise strategies. There are literally hundreds of things that can be done beyond JUST a prescription pad.....
Keep in touch with your doc, or if he has a good assistant PA etc devloping a good raort with that person really helps....
Arava is a cousin to MTX and is often tolerated much better. It is often used in combo with biologics. Just FYI, because I had horrible reactions to MTX but can tolerate Arava just fine.
Hope you are feeling better :( I started MTX last night. Because I have white matter brain lesions I cannot do other forms of treatment and steriod cream doesn't help and oral steriods work to clear it up but as soon as it goes away flares up more aggressively. So my last resort.
Arava is a cousin to MTX. I couldn't tolerate MTX but do tolerate Arava pretty well. Hang in there Newbie! It's a sucky disease, but we've all got your back :)
Thank you Marietta, it is pretty crummy. Now my knuckles are bleeding. I am not sure if it is the MTX or just my hands being well my hands. Yesterday I had a biopsy done on another knuckle *not the ones bleeding, and the derma said "well these heal pretty quickly" and my better half was like "have you seen her hands the past five months" I am glad I have such a humorous and supportive guy in my life. Very blessed. I don't know what I would do without him. I have been in bed since I went to sleep last night and he has been hanging out with the three kiddos and preparing for my bday tomorrow. I am also very blessed to have found this website :)
I went from Mtx to Sulfasalizine also. Mtx helped the pain but I couldn't function at all. Now on Sulfasalizine I still have pain but not as much as I would with no meds. So every little bit helps but I wish it worked better. I hope it helps you. Plus I haven't had any side effects. Mtx dragged me down..I didn't have any energy either. Actually I thought I might lose my job it I stayed on Mtx.
I am waiting on a skin biopsy and when it comes back positive for psoriasis, I will be taking Humira. I hope I can tolerate it and it helps! I just take so long to get an appointment. I have to go to LSU hospital 100 miles away to get it done. They never answer the phones in the dermatology dept. I just have to sit back and wait on that. Waiting for a treatment that works is the hardest of all.
I loved Humira! It was absolutely my wonder drug for about a year and a half; even better was that I noticed positive changes within the first week. I hope you are able to get it that you have great results.
I started Remicade recently and I am waiting for it to work. The waiting is the worst, but lucky for you Humira does seem to work quickly.
momof31978 said:
I am waiting on a skin biopsy and when it comes back positive for psoriasis, I will be taking Humira. I hope I can tolerate it and it helps! I just take so long to get an appointment. I have to go to LSU hospital 100 miles away to get it done. They never answer the phones in the dermatology dept. I just have to sit back and wait on that. Waiting for a treatment that works is the hardest of all.