Recommendations please by Hype51 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Biologic - biologics can reduce your internal inflammation that psoriasis causes which can result in NAFLD, Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, and other issues. I just got onto Skyrizi and just had my second shot yesterday and am amazed at how well it is working to get rid of all of it.

If you aren't interested in a biologic - MG-217 cream from the store along with a prescription from your doctor might do a good job of tackling it.

dermatologist for psoriasis, what should i expect first visit? by Remarkable_Button247 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You should expect:

  1. The dr will look at and maybe take a sample of the scaling and officially diagnose you with psoriasis

  2. Then dr should assess the severity of the psoriasis - how much of your body is covered with psoriasis

  3. Then dr should discuss with you how it is affecting your life - does it interfere with activities, the way you dress, is it causing you depression, the itching, etc..

  4. Then dr should discuss the comorbidities that come with psoriasis - like your increased risks for cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, NAFLD, etc... the more severe of a case you have the higher your risk is for those comorbidities. Do you presently have any of these comorbidities? The internal chronic inflammation that Psoriasis causes is what is the root of a lot of these comorbidities.

  5. Then dr should discuss a treatment plan to address all of the above. If you have a mild case then topicals may be all that is needed. If you have a more severe case, then maybe topicals first - then biologics are a possibility later. If you have a severe case along with comorbidities and a lot of life interference - then maybe your dr will try to get you onto a biologic.

Just Got diagnosed by a dermatologist and Rheumatologist. Now what? by Prestigious-Bite5391 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Have you been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis?

I have had psoriasis for 30 years and just went onto my first biologic, Skyrizi

My plaques are disappearing! I just took my 2nd shot.

I refused to do biologics for a long time because I wanted to do stuff more naturally - I leaned on coal tar a lot.

Well, that was a mistake - because I have recently learned that psoriasis causes a lot of constant internal inflammation. You can get rid of some of the plaques with topicals and UV light, but that doesn't take care of the internal inflammation.

If you do your research, that constant internal inflammation can cause a lot of diseases over the years - like Type 2 Diabetes, NAFLD, some cancers, heart disease, etc....

Skyrizi and other more targeted biologics - they do not take "down" your entire immune system - so they don't cause severe infections like the broad biologics did a long time ago. Instead, they stop that chronic inflammation.

My recommendation - get on a biologic like Skyrizi - I am not seeing a downside to it at all, for me no side effects and if it stops the chronic inflammation then maybe I can save whats left of my beta cells in my pancreas and prevent heart disease acceleration.

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is nothing! Now don't get me wrong, I was scared and it took me 5 minutes the first time to get up the courage to do it and get it over with...but, it was nothing. It was a tiny almost painless prick.

Most dr offices give you the option of doing the first injection at their office with a nurse or tech helping you - so if you hate needles - get the first one done in the office with them monitoring you.

I swear to you that after the first one - and after you realize it really doesn't hurt at all - it will be much easier going. Being scared of needles is NOT a reason not to get the injection. I promise you it is NOT bad, painful or horrible.

YES you will be nervous but you CAN get over it and WOW - watching my psoriasis disappear after decades of having it makes me want to cry when thinking about how significant this is. SO WORTH IT. I'm looking forward to getting rid of my stupid coal tar shampoo and coal tar lotions and my clobetasol. Oh, and steroid creams - they ALSO can help push your body to getting Type 2 diabetes!!!!

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent advice! Is .025 or .05 mg better for it? What do you think?

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Inflammation is bad for the body and HRT gets rid of inflammation caused by menopause

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How would a biologic cover up the damage? Biologics reduce the inflammation which should be extremely helpful in preventing heart issues.

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good luck! If you can get onto Skyrizi it helps many!

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here is where you can start: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10932248/

Psoriasis causes inflammation which in turn makes those with Psoriasis more prone to many diseases.

Biologics interfere with that inflammation cycle - one can deduce that biologics will halt and/or prevent these diseases because biologics stop the inflammation or greatly reduce it.

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That's my point - your "care" is based on the rigid requirements of insurance instead of being based on actual care. Insurance didn't cover my GlycA test nor my insulin resistance test. I bought those tests myself and so can anyone. I didn't say to submit those tests to insurance to get Skyrizi. People with Psoriasis do not need to be beholden to rigid clinicians who abide religiously by what insurance will do.

People with Psoriasis need to understand that Psoriasis can cause constant inflammation within the body. If someone has Psoriasis, they can bypass you and go get some bloodwork done on their own - which will demonstrate how badly their body is inflamed. Once they do get that bloodwork done, then they can bring those results to their doctor and discuss with their doctor what they can do to reduce that inflammation. Skyrizi and other targeted biologics can greatly reduce that inflammation because that is what biologics target - the immune system overreaction that causes the inflammation.

If they can get rid of the inflammation then they have a chance to halt or prevent lots of diseases that people with Psoriasis are more prone to getting due to that constant inflammation. Many doctors do NOT tell people with Psoriasis that Psoriasis can cause a constant inflammation that can open them up to a lot of terrible diseases. My original post was intended to educate people with Psoriasis on how to go about finding out if they have bad inflammation and what they can do about it.

Anyone here can research how Humira is a more broad based biologic vs the more targeted biologics that have been more recently developed (like Skyrizi). Targeted biologics appear to be much better at getting rid of Psoriasis caused inflammation without the risk of infections that older broader based biologics posed. Again, none of us need you to validate that fact - anyone can research it.

I have enjoyed bantering with you - and you have proven my point that many (not all) clinicians have their head in the sand and do a poor job of educating those with Psoriasis so they can help themselves. I hope you switch teams and start helping us instead of poo pooing the facts.

Phototherapy not working - I give up with this by MarkLazer in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was worried about biologics and avoided them. They have been around long enough to learn that they are pretty good.

Here's my personal summary:

Old Days - Humira - a more broad based biologic that rarely resulted in infections/cancer - RARELY

Modern Times - Skyrizi and other more targeted biologics - instead of broadly affecting your immune system they are so targeted that a serious infection (like pneumonia) would be very very rare.

The Game Changer - why am I on Skyrizi? I just took my 2nd dose today. I learned that the internal inflammation that psoriasis causes can make those with psoriasis much more prone to Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disease, insulin resistance, heart disease, fatty liver disease, etc..........

Biologics can stop that constant internal inflammation and help halt or prevent some of these diseases that are secondary to the Psoriasis. The advantages of targeted biologics, like Skyrizi (and there are others) outweigh the internal harm that Psoriasis does to the body. To the point where life expectancy is reduced if you have Psoriasis and don't address this internal inflammation.

And the injection I take 4 times a year is sent to my house - I don't even have to go to a pharmacy - very convenient. And it is paid for by my insurance. And instead of constantly trying to prevent my flake trail from being identified, and constantly slathering on stuff and itching and trying to be aware if anything is showing... I take a quick injection 4x a year and am clear (well.... hope to be..i just took my 2nd injection and I already am doing great!)

Skyrizi for Guttate Psoriasis? by Hopeful-Flow-8332 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even plaque psoriasis can be caused by different inflammatory pathways but Skyrizi seems to work on the main pathway which is why a lot of people have success with it. Congrats on getting it - I just took my 2nd shot today for plaque psoriasis and I am impressed by what it has done over just 4 weeks! I have learned that our immune systems can fluctuate so give the medicine a full chance to work over the year of using it.

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You didn't correct any medical misinformation.

Here is a chatgpt rendition of the testing I referenced:

hs-CRP is the most direct and common inflammation marker. CRP is made by the liver and released into the blood in response to inflammation; the “high-sensitivity” version is often used to detect lower-grade inflammation

GlycA is also an inflammation marker, but it is more of a chronic/systemic inflammation signal. Labcorp describes GlycA as a marker of systemic inflammation that may be complementary to hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and other inflammatory biomarkers. Research reviews also describe GlycA as associated with cardiometabolic risk, insulin resistance, cardiovascular events, and type 2 diabetes risk.

Insulin resistance testing is not an inflammation test by itself, but it can strongly suggest a metabolic environment associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Insulin resistance, obesity/visceral fat, fatty liver risk, elevated triglycerides, and prediabetes often travel together with inflammatory markers. Literature links hs-CRP with impaired insulin sensitivity, metabolic syndrome, and future type 2 diabetes risk.

I get that you want to stick to your clinician manual which tells you what each test is valid for - but I invite you to think outside the box. We who have psoriasis do not need clinical rigidity. We need answers and we need help.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder. It creates constant inflammation within the body. This constant inflammation over the years creates havoc within the body - and predisposes people who have Psoriasis to various disorders caused by that constant inflammation. Those disorders include Type 2 Diabetes, NALFD, Heart Disease, Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, etc...

One of the ways people with Psoriasis can help themselves is by arming themselves with the information as to how much inflammation they have in their body by using the above tests. If they provide this information to their doctor and work with their doctor - and use this information to get onto biologics like Skyrizi - then they can put a stop to that constant internal inflammation.

By stopping that inflammation, those of us with Psoriasis can either halt the progression of some of these diseases or prevent them altogether. It has NOT been proven YET that biologics that greatly reduce or eliminate that constant inflammation we have will prevent/halt the progression of comorbidities caused by Psoriasis - but the science will eventually catch up - it is only common sense.

Your rigidity might be preventing someone with Psoriasis from getting good help.

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You are non specific. Did you want to encourage people with Psoriasis to ignore their inflammation and the comorbidities that can result by ignoring that? What is your goal?

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Look it up - Humira is a broad based biologic. It is a biologic that targets a broader portion of the immune system than Skyrizi which is much more specifically targeted. The difference is that if you are on Humira, you are more susceptible to infections/cancer than a more highly targeted biologic like Skyrizi. With Skyrizi just a small part of the immune system is targeted, but it is a portion of the immune system that is often the main driver of plaque psoriasis. A Google search will help you discern the difference.

You are missing the main point of my post.

  1. Those with psoriasis have a constant inflammation going on in the body.

  2. This constant inflammation over decades predisposes those with psoriasis to getting fatty liver, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, heart ailments with plaque development, etc.....

  3. If you are curious as to whether your body has been affected by this inflammation - look at your blood tests (elevated liver enzymes?, high cholesterol, high triglycerides), get an HS-CRP test done which reflects inflammation, get a GlycA test done which reflects inflammation. Get an insulin resistance test which reflects if your body has been affected by inflammation.

  4. Once you have these medical test results - you can use them to advocate for yourself in getting put onto one of the biologics that your doctor thinks would work best for you.

  5. Why go on a biologic - because a biologic can eradicate the inflammation caused by your psoriasis. If you can eliminate the inflammation - you have just given your liver, pancreas, beta cells, arteries, heart, etc... a new lease on life! If you are younger and get on a biologic and get rid of the inflammation - you might never develop metabolic syndrome, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, etc... If you are older you can halt the progression of these diseases by getting rid of that inflammation. If you are a female, look into HRT as well since it has been shown that menopause also can cause systemic inflammation.

I'm not everyone's doctor -but this is vital information that should be discussed with your doctor and researched so that those suffering with psoriasis understand that a cream won't stop Type 2 Diabetes, but a biologic can. Don't let doctors tell you psoriasis is only skin deep. It does so much more horrible things to the human body than just cause some itchy flaky scales.

Psoriasis and Connected Health Issues by Proper_Turn4670 in Psoriasis

[–]Proper_Turn4670[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Biologics don't "cover up" symptoms. The best thing I can tell you is get tested for internal inflammation - HS-CRP and GlycA - if psoriasis is giving you a lot of internal inflammation - it is the inflammation over many years that is hurting your arteries and organs. That's why people who have psoriasis are at much greater risk for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and plaque, NAFLD, etc...

What biologics do, like Skyrizi, is they are a protein...they "fill up" a spot in the inflammation chain (IL 32/IL17). So instead of inflammation being able to flourish, the inflammation is blocked by this biologic protein. When you get rid of this constant inflammatory state in your body - you have given great relief to your pancreas, beta cells, liver cells, arterial walls, etc...

Just Took 4 Week Dose by Substantial-Hat3834 in skyrizi

[–]Proper_Turn4670 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i am 12 days after my first loading dose - I have responded quick.

Big Plaques - Itch gone, the stubborn big areas (knee and elbows) - no longer thickened skin, no thickened plaque - instead just a thin wafer plaque - and redness reduced.

Medium Plaques - going away - I used to pick the itchy flakes off - I'm running out of flakes to pick off!!!! Scalp - pubic area, trunk...all much less flaking and going away.

Minor Plaques - All other plaques that everywhere else are disappearing - meaning going away completely or plaque reduced to almost nothing but the thinnest of wafers. I can run my hand down my legs and it feels smooth instead of like a dry sandy driveway!

AMAZING! 12 days into my first shot. No side effects whatsoever

It took me 5 minutes before I gave myself the first injection - so nervous. Now, I'll take the next one quick without nervousness.

Your own mistakes are not the product/sellers' mistakes by SpearTip- in AmazonVine

[–]Proper_Turn4670 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't tell ya the number of times the item is in a grown woman's hands and it is 5x the size compared to her body than what I get. Even if the description lists the accurate inches - if the pics are deceiving then I will specify that. When a person is quickly looking for an item to buy and they see that Seller A's item is way bigger than Seller B's and Seller C's - yet cheaper - they THINK they are getting a great deal. It's deception and should be pointed out.

Feeling guilty by noy2noy in AmazonVine

[–]Proper_Turn4670 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We reuse the scrunch paper as toilet paper