About to start Enbrel

[KU-Fan]

Well, after much contemplation and hesitation to post on here I am. I'll start by saying sorry this post may be lengthy but I do have questions I'd like input on.

I was first diagnosed with Psoriasis when I was 14 (freshman year in high school) at which point I had it very mildly on my elbows and knees. I'm now 19 and a sophomore in college (at the University of Kansas if that wasn't evident by my name on here haha).

I have just started seeing my 3rd dermatologist as I haven't been satisfied with my previous 2... The first gave me topical creams and foams which worked momentarily as I'm sure many of you know are sometimes only a short fix. The second recommended I go straight into Enbrel or Soriatane(sp?). Well, needless to say at 18 I didn't find this treatment quit fit as I didn't want to suffer from side effects down the road with me being young. The second dermatologist recommended using tanning beds which I proceeded to do.

I found the tanning beds helped me clear it up and maintain it when I had much less than I do now. My second and now third dermatologist have said that I'm having gutate break outs due to strep infection. I'm not sure if the Z-pack I took just didn't clear it up or if I'm some sort of carrier for strep. Either way on March 2, 2009 (a few weeks ago) I had the worst out break I've ever had. I'm now 30-40% covered and am realizing it's getting progressively worse. Ironically enough the day I had this breakout I was starting a week long fund raiser at school in which we had to wear costumes which were sprayed with spray paint (long sleeve shirt and pants). I figured this may have caused it, however I did begin to get a soar throat a few days before and treated it immediately with a Z-pack.

My new dermatologist said it was unrelated to the paint and was just coincidental, and more likely related to the sore throat. So... I'm assuming he would know if there were specific allergic reactions and am trusting his judgement when he says it's time to start a biologic.

With my background story in mind I'll get to the point... Last week I bought a book called "Banish Psoriasis" which is supposed to be a natural way to get rid of psoriasis. With everything I've read on the internet and heard from doctors my thinking is that if something like that were to work they would recommend that... I've started taking what the book suggests (if nothing else for better health). This dermatologist has me on narrowband UVB to start getting this cleared up and I'm scheduled to get my first shot of Enbrel in two days. I'm just curious what everyone's thoughts/experiences are with any methods I'm trying, or I suppose am about to try.

Again, I apologize for the lengthly post but I hope some of you will give me input on this matter as I am somewhat nervous to start a medication like this at such a young age. But at the same time my quality of life now with psoriasis is NO WHERE near a state of me feeling comfortable in my own skin (no pun intended).

[RichJ]

hi ku-fan,
im sorry that i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you will meet some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you.

try and have a good day all

richard

[szorzi]

Again, I apologize for the lengthly post but I hope some of you will give me input on this matter as I am somewhat nervous to start a medication like this at such a young age. But at the same time my quality of life now with psoriasis is NO WHERE near a state of me feeling comfortable in my own skin (no pun intended).

I think you are very prudent to hesitate beginning a biological med for moderate guttate P at your age. I myself take the biological Humira, but I have severe psoriatic arthritis which renders me immobile without the meds. And I'm in my 50s. I would not take it for psoriasis unless it was the life-threatening kind called erythrodermic.

Many people claim to have controlled their P with various natural methods, including diet, supplements, accupuncture, UV light treatments, etc. It sounds like you are planning to implement some natural cure you are reading in a book? I think you should try one thing at a time so that you will know for sure whether something is working and which thing is working for you. If you start a natural method, plus UVB treatment, plus Enbrel - how will you know which of these things is really doing the most good for you?

Why not try a few natural things first, along with the UV treatments? There is a plan called "Barney's Formula" which seems to be helping a lot of people here. You can find a large thread about it here, including some pictures. Or you can google "Barney's Formula" and find a site that has detailed info.

Just be sure that you thoroughly research on your own any natural method you read about. Not all supplements are necessarily safe for every person. Not all natural herbs are necessarily safe for every person. Don't use anything that does not disclose the ingredients and the amount of each. Check with your doctor before ingesting any herb or supplement. They might think you're nuts (who cares?) but they won't forbid you to try it if it is safe and they will know or be able to find out it's safety. Just because some anonymous person on a message board or website says something is safe and a "miracle cure" does not make it so. Be careful!!!

If that does not seem to be helping you after 4-6 months, you can always try the Enbrel! Good luck and let us know what you decide and how it works out for you.

[goodtimes]

sorry for my ignorance on the subject (ive tried to educate myself through the internet) but

1 - do enbrel shots really clear you up for a long long time?

2 - what are the side effects?

3- sounds like my usually mild (10-20% plaque coverage) P wouldnt make me a candidate for enbrel. is this right? if so is it only b/c of the exposure to potential adverse side effects?

OP, how is everything going so far?

[KU-Fan]

sorry for my ignorance on the subject (ive tried to educate myself through the internet) but

1 - do enbrel shots really clear you up for a long long time?

2 - what are the side effects?

3- sounds like my usually mild (10-20% plaque coverage) P wouldnt make me a candidate for enbrel. is this right? if so is it only b/c of the exposure to potential adverse side effects?

OP, how is everything going so far?

1- It has for some people.
2- You can find those online.
3- Correct, you would not be.

And to answer your last question I haven't started yet, however once you do start it typically takes 12-16 weeks to see significant results from what I understand.