On Enbrel for two weeks- How did your P disappear?

• By clamcover
• Reply 3338454
• September 1, 2012 at 7:59 am
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It took me about 2 months to see a noticeable difference. Don't get discouraged it will happen.

• By MatthewHardy2012
• Reply 3338642 · In reply to 3338454 by clamcover
• September 1, 2012 at 9:13 am
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How did it go away? Did your P fade away? At the moment my skin feels very dry and almost looks worse than before I took the shots. Where my P currently is, it looks like my skin is peeling, kind of like I had a sun burn. I'm glad it's working for you :) So far I haven't had any side effects and the shots are painless. How long have you been on it and do you like it?

Thank you!!!

• By clamcover
• Reply 3338757
• September 1, 2012 at 10:00 am
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If I remember it slowly faded. I always feel it is a good sign when the skin gets dry and the scales are falling. I try to keep my skin moist with lotion, at this time I am using Cerave. I am having a bad flair due to prednisone treatment for gout. I have been on Enbrel for over two years with no side effects.

• By ibeta
• Reply 3339158
• September 1, 2012 at 12:22 pm
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Took me about 2 months as well. Use a topical steroid for a few days if you want to speed it up. I remember that the steroid cleared it up as usual but unlike before I had no rebound and the psoriasis stayed gone.

• By Sudie017
• Reply 3339301
• September 1, 2012 at 1:23 pm
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It took my about 2 to 3 months because my psoriasis covered about 95% of my body. First of all I noticed my flakes coming off and then I noticed the itching and burning stopped. Then I noticed the spots getting smaller and then they started fading away. I was so happy no more burning and itching. Then I got a urinary infection and had to skip an injection for one week. Now I have had a small flare of spots and They won't seem to go away; I have an appointment in December with my Dermatologist and I will see what to do about this outbreak. My outbreak is really annoying but not like it was to begin with. It is starting to fade a bit so maybe by the time December comes around it will be all gone. Please don't lose hope; it does take some time and the wait is well worth the end results. Good Luck.

• By MatthewHardy2012
• Reply 3340592
• September 2, 2012 at 1:25 am
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Thank you so much! Y'all helped me out so much!

• By KevinKF
• Reply 3341637
• September 2, 2012 at 1:36 pm
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Hi Matthew,
Yes, I have been injecting Enbrel for about two years now, once every two weeks (50mg each shot). The best I can say is that it has helped to control my psoriasis but there is not much evidence of any disappearance of the existing patches. Are you experiencing any further improvements in your condition?
Kevin

• By janetcreswell
• Reply 3341664
• September 2, 2012 at 1:44 pm
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Don't give up. I also just started and am on my 5th injection as of last Friday. My P was extremely severe on my feet and hands. I have pustiular (spelled wrong) P. Like you, it is now very, very dry but I don't have the dripping pus that was underneath the sores on my feet. It was really gross. I could not wear shoes, could only wear socks and had to change them twice per day. I went thru all the creams, methotrexate, light therapy. Didn't want to do the biologics because of the possible side effects, but gave in. My breakout was 18 months old and when it got to the point I had to use crutches to get around, that was it. Now to deal with the dryness, as soon as I get out of the shower, I only putting Vaseline on my feet and then socks. Again, Vaseline again before bed. It has really helped and I have improved 100%. Not gone but I can wear shoes and can walk almost normal now. I still have flakes on my skin but no more sores. Hope this helps. Don't give up and we are always here for you.

• By MatthewHardy2012
• Reply 3343032
• September 3, 2012 at 1:16 am
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Sinitman- So glad to hear everything is clearing up for you. I know I am rushing things, I'm just excited to see if things clear up. I actually look forward to my two shots twice a week! I pray that my scalp clears up too. It sounds stupid but I've always wanted a mohawk but could never get one because of my red patches on my scalp, maybe now I'll be able to, lol. Good luck to you!

Kevin- I took someones advice on here and started using my topicals again to see if that will speed up the process. I may even try a few more light treatments. So far, nothing much has changed.

Janet- It sounds like we're in the same time fram with our shots. I don't have the same type of P has you but I am so happy to hear that you're able to walk again. We should keep each other updated on our progess. I'm sending positive thoughts your way!

Thank you for all the information.

• By janetcreswell
• Reply 3343394
• September 3, 2012 at 8:17 am
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Sinitman, this is just a suggestion from a female's point of view. Nothing medical to back up this idea. Wonder if you try the "age spot" cream that is out there over the counter. Women use this cream for dark spots on their hands, arms, etc., just to clear up dark brown spots that I have no idea where they come from. It does "lighten" them up somewhat. Again, have no idea if it will react with the P, but just don't see how because I use over the counter moisturizer on my hands and it doesn't bother my P on my hands.

• By janetcreswell
• Reply 3343405
• September 3, 2012 at 8:22 am
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MatthewHardy2012, I will keep you posted on how mine is going, hope you stay on and keep us posted on your progress as well. This is just a nasty disease to have, also, don't know where you live, but I'm close to the beach. Before I started the injections, I would go to the beach for the day. Something about the salt water and sun would help for about a week. Also the sand would "sand" off any loose skin I had. Haven't tried the beach since being on the injections but may try it soon. Keep in touch and wish you much good luck and wish you well in the P adventure.

• By MatthewHardy2012
• Reply 3343606 · In reply to 3343405 by janetcreswell
• September 3, 2012 at 9:34 am
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Janet- I actually live near Pensacola Beach and I was out there all the time last year and my P cleared right up. Not a sign anywhere! It was amazing. However, I work full time and in school and I was not able to get as much sun this year. You're right though, sun, sand and water clear it right up!

• By Sinitman
• Reply 3343611
• September 3, 2012 at 9:35 am
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Matthew, mohawk will definitely be possible. I just can't do it b/c my head is so big. I think the reason why the enbrel was so effective for clearing up the scalp was because of the amount of blood running up there. It seems like the further away the P is away from the heart area the longer it will take to clear up, don't quote me on that. But keep at it and good luck.

Janet thanks for the suggestion. I was actually looking into that; I asked my sister if she uses a type of product like that, she just kept saying cover-up makeup. If you have any suggestions for specific products please let me know.

• By vmars
• Reply 3344092
• September 3, 2012 at 12:33 pm
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It has been 7 weeks since I started Enbrel (2 x 50 mg) and I have noticed a dramatic fading of my p in the last week. I was also on holidays, that may have helped ;) My scalp cleared the fastest. I am looking forward to wearing dark coloured clothes again since I always love the fall colours. The patches on my arms and legs are still dry but if I use moisturizer they are not very noticeable just a little redder than the rest of the skin.
Good luck with your treatment.

• By KevinKF
• Reply 3346476
• September 4, 2012 at 10:27 am
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I have also been on Enbrel for about two years now and it has helped control further growth of new spots. Some of the old ones disappear and leave behind a black spot which takes a long time to fade out. Overall, Enbrel appears to control the growth of more spots but not diminish much of the existing ones.

• By MatthewHardy2012
• Reply 3362555
• September 10, 2012 at 2:40 am
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Update

I took the advice that was given on here to use my topical to help speed up the clearing and it worked. However, now that I haven't used the topical, it's coming back. Is this normal? I used the topical once on my elbows and arms and it cleared up for about a week, and now it's back. I don't get it. I took my 5th shot on Saturday and will be taking my 6th shot on Tuesday. The end of September will be my 2nd month on Enbrel. Am i just expecting to much to soon? Thank you :)

• By EstherJ
• Reply 3362760
• September 10, 2012 at 7:48 am
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I've been on Enbrel since December - methetrexate, fumaderm and ciclosporin all having failed miserably - and I am now pretty much totally clear, including my fingernails and toenails which have grown back. I'm well aware that without the injections I would probably still be covered. I try to avoid using steroid cream these days unless it looks like a patch is starting, but I recommend using a coal tar lotion instead (here in the UK, I use Exorex). It's not that bad for the skin, although you should use a moisturiser once it's dried as it can be quite drying. That way if you do get a patch, your skin is no longer used to the steroids and they are more effective, more quickly.
I should probably point out, though, that since December I have also quite my job as the head of a department in a challenging secondary school and I'm currently finishing an MA. This means that I'm no longer working in an environment that I hate, and that I can go to the gym a lot more often. Exercise seems to work for me - though that could be the exercise, the overall improvement in my health, the sweat, the extra showers or even the half litre of water I down during a session. I've also cut out wheat and most dairy from my diet. Bizarrely, due to the psoriasis, I'm probably the healthiest I've been in years.

• By EstherJ
• Reply 3362765
• September 10, 2012 at 7:49 am
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I've been on Enbrel since December - methetrexate, fumaderm and ciclosporin all having failed miserably - and I am now pretty much totally clear, including my fingernails and toenails which have grown back. I'm well aware that without the injections I would probably still be covered. I try to avoid using steroid cream these days unless it looks like a patch is starting, but I recommend using a coal tar lotion instead (here in the UK, I use Exorex). It's not that bad for the skin, although you should use a moisturiser once it's dried as it can be quite drying. That way if you do get a patch, your skin is no longer used to the steroids and they are more effective, more quickly.
I should probably point out, though, that since December I have also quite my job as the head of a department in a challenging secondary school and I'm currently finishing an MA. This means that I'm no longer working in an environment that I hate, and that I can go to the gym a lot more often. Exercise seems to work for me - though that could be the exercise, the overall improvement in my health, the sweat, the extra showers or even the half litre of water I down during a session. I've also cut out wheat and most dairy from my diet. Bizarrely, due to the psoriasis, I'm probably the healthiest I've been in years.

• By deedee01
• Reply 3363008
• September 10, 2012 at 9:18 am
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I have been on Enbrel for over 3 years. Sometimes I will have a flare up and will go on Enbrel 2x a week then when it starts to clear I cut back to once a week. It will last about a year then it is back to 2 x a week for a few months. But I wanted to share this info with all of you. I have found a spray called QuickRelief. I found it through this site. The website to check out is
careteam@naturessolution.net. It says it is a guarantee to cure psoriasis and while I know that is not going to happen I can say that the spray gives instant relief for the dry, aching skin. There are also some tablets to attack psoriasis from the inside and I have those also but I felt a little ill when taking them so I put them up for awhile and will try again. I have an infection at the moment and I am on antibiotics so will let everything rest and then I will try again. But the spray is wonderful. I put it on right after my shower and it relieves the tight dry skin. I apply a couple times a day when I feel areas getting stiff and flaking. Hope it helps.

• By amandaplease
• Reply 3366640
• September 11, 2012 at 1:57 pm
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I've been reading all your experiences with the biologics. I'm wondering how much of other treatments you had to go through before you were able to get them? I've had P for about 6 months and I used to go in the lightbox at my dermatologist 3x a week ($25/session) which absolutely killed my pocket. It helped somewhat, but it was gruesome in just how long it took to even notice it getting better. But anyway, I stopped doing the lightbox in the summer since I could just lay in the sun instead and my skin actually appeared somewhat normal. Now my P is back and worse than ever and my derm refuses to start me on biolgics until the lightbox proves to be an unsuccessful aide. Well, I refuse to waste money on something I KNOW won't help me any more than steriod cream. I did it for months and I hated the results. She says I need to try again since it's been a while. Should I see another doctor or did most of you have to go through other treatments first? I've done the creams, lightbox, injections, etc. I just don't know if I'm getting the right opinion.

Thanks