Psoriasis Treatments

Another immune system present.

Has anyone taken any of the "biologic" treatments for Psoriasis, such as Humana, Remicade, or Interleukin? All list cytopenia as a side effect, but I've seen cytopenia listed on so many drugs over the years that I hardly pay attention to it anymore. Humana includes a more specific warning about thrombocytopenia.

Anyway, if you have taken any of these "biologics" with counts around 20, I'd appreciate hearing what worked & what didn't, and whether it impacted your counts.

Thanks

Hi Steve, I haven't tried any of those so no help there. I do find that I do better when I get out in the sun more but of course not when I burn. One winter I took Vitamin D and I had a remission. It came back the next fall though. I wasn't taking Vitamin D as much. I am getting my Vitamin D tested. I find my psoriasis comes back when the heat comes on in the fall. Of course I am in the sun less then too. Good luck with your treatment, Debbie

yea, I have taken two biologics for psoriasis. They were both ones intended more for Rheumatoid arthritis that psoriasis, since the psoriasis-specific ones were very early in development at that time. First I took Raptiva for a few months. It didn't help noticeably. I then switched to Enbrel, which also didn't help. I was taking methotrexate along side of both of these. The bad news is that. it was about two months after I started the Enbrel that I developed ITP. It made me very suspicious, of course, that the Enbrel triggered ITP.

There is, of course, no way I will ever know for sure. Two of my doctors were pretty much betting in opposite directions on whether it was the cause. My dermatologist did file an official adverse reaction report with the FDA.

I now am taking 100mg of imuran (azathioprene) and it seems to be working acceptably, although not perfectly, it is much less annoying than the methotrexate, which made me ill about two days a week after I took it.

Thank you for the responses. I appreciate it.