Psoriasis treatments

[June B]

Anyone out there with psoriasis? I have had this disease since I was
about 35, and now am 74. I have used lotions, salves, light treatments,
etc. I recently had a spinal surgery and for a brief while the
psoriasis seemed to clear just a bit. Then, it came back with a
passion, spreading up my arms, legs, on my face, in my scalp. June

[puppe...@hotmail.com]

On Wednesday, December 1, 2010 2:47:36 PM UTC-5, June B wrote:
[snip question about what treatments there are for psoriasis]

I have had P since finishing highschool in 1978. It has slowly but steadily gotten worse over the years. I have used just about every treatment that exists, and the best anything has ever done is temporary relief. At this point you would have to say it is a severe case. Pretty much ever portion of my skin is affected to some degree. And I'm getting the associated form of arthritis as an extra.

Steroids work for a while then my skin gets used to them. Then I either use stronger steroids or get rebound.

Ultraviolet (as in tanning booths) works, but I have to tan pretty much 5 days per week to get any useful result. I would have to be very seriously tanned to have any hope of being anything like clear. And this is prematurely aging my skin. And I am seriously worried about skin cancer and other lesser side effects.

I did PUVA for a while, but the chemicals upset my stomach quite seriously. And the bath version of PUVA simply did not work for me. Plus who wants to go through that five days a week.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PUVA_therapy

Various tar treatments work a little, but not very well. And the tar smells bad, stains clothing, and makes me sensitive to sunlight. And some forms are bad for the eyes.

Various moisturizers and some bath oils have some benefit, but will not by themselves clear my skin. Keeping the house properly humidified in the winter helps, but again does not by itself clear my skin. Things that can make my P very much worse include:
- not sleeping well
- constipation, wow that one is a killer
- exposure to dust
- getting sunburnt
- any trauma such as a scratch, a mosquito bite, etc.

I have had metheltrexate suggested. But I am not prepared to take a chemotherapy drug for my P.

My dermatologist has suggested Apremilast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apremilast

This was FDA approved only in March of 2014. I have not started it yet because my doctor has set the drug company on the case of my insurance company to see if they will pay. It is not cheap. Indeed, one would have to say it is dramatically expensive.

I will report back when I try it what the results are.
Socks

[FromTheRafters]

puppe...@hotmail.com explained on 1/6/2015 :

Hi, I just rejoined the group and await your results. I see one such
"biological" drug costs 35,000 to 55,000 a year. I have a treatment for
my thumb psoriasis, it does no good at all.

http://i57.tinypic.com/2itdo4.jpg

[RoddyMcCorley]

Did you ever try Humira? I've been taking it for about 6 years and it
has worked well. I am now getting some new plaques under my arms and on
my chest and I will see if I can treat them with Clobetasol.

Good Luck.
--
False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul
with evil.

Pennsylvania - Tá sé difriúil anseo.

[FromTheRafters]

RoddyMcCorley has brought this to us :

Is the cost in line with this document?

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/BBD_Rheumatoid_Arthritis_Summary.pdf

[RoddyMcCorley]

Yeah, those prices are typical. My insurance covers all but the copay.
Your doc may be able to get you in a discount program if your insurance
does not cover it or if the copay is too high.

[FromTheRafters]

RoddyMcCorley explained :

Thank you for confirming. It is likely that I will eventually have to
go that route.

[RoddyMcCorley]

I was reluctant to go on a biologic due to all of the potential side
effects. I have been on Humira for six to seven years now without any
side effects. I still use topical creams and ointments for some
stubborn spots.

[RoddyMcCorley]

On 2/22/2015 7:34 AM, FromTheRafters wrote:

> RoddyMcCorley explained :
>> On 2/22/2015 12:02 AM, FromTheRafters wrote:
>>> RoddyMcCorley has brought this to us :
>>>> On 1/6/2015 3:51 PM, puppe...@hotmail.com wrote:
>>>>> On Wednesday, December 1, 2010 2:47:36 PM UTC-5, June B wrote:
>>>>> [snip question about what treatments there are for psoriasis]
>>>>>
>
>

Check this out:
http://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/alternative/spa-therapy-for-psoriasis

My since-retired dermatologist mentioned it to me years ago. It may
make sense.

[FromTheRafters]

I was reluctant to go on any of the systemic immunosuppressants due to
the nature of my work, disability eventually took care of that problem
though. Now it is all financial concerns and insurance carriers are
reluctant to pay for the better treatments.

[puppe...@hotmail.com]

On Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 7:00:52 AM UTC-5, FromTheRafters wrote:
[snips]

> Hi, I just rejoined the group and await your results. I see one such
> "biological" drug costs 35,000 to 55,000 a year.

Well. After three months of struggling, my insurance will not pay for the biologic. It would be $1350 per month, which is simply out of reach for me.

I was somewhat pissed off at my dermatologist. After three months he tells me that only 10 percent of patients get approved by their insurance. Got to wonder just what he is doing for me. He's got me back on steroids and UV, the same tired crap I've been doing since 1980.

Sigh

[FromTheRafters]

puppe...@hotmail.com was thinking very hard :

Thanks for the follow-up. It's too bad insurance companies only support
the cheapest treatments and the best treatments cost so much. I have to
do battle with my former insurance carrier to get my home UV unit
reimbursement.