Medication transition Psoriasis

[natalie1atkinson]

I've recently changed drugs from Ciclosporin to Humira injectable. My skin is worse than it has been in years, anyone else in the same boat? Looking for some reassurance that the transition stage doesn't take long. I've been on humira for 3 months and have seen no improvement atall.

[Matilda7]

Interesting....I started Enbrel about a year ago and swopped to Humira in December...and in January I started to have a strange rash on my right foot which I can't get rid of. Or rather it clears up and then comes back. Sometimes it's just a few spots, other times it's really red and angry and itchy. Left foot is fine....hadn't linked it to Humira before...don't think it's fungal, GP thought it might be eczema, I wonder if it's a heat rash...certainly worse when it's hot....so odd, just one foot. However joints are brilliant!

[Hobbits in reply to Matilda7]

Hello, I am on Enbrel. I have what looks like acne, it's concentrated on my forehead and right above my eyes. The Acne like pimples on my forehead look like bad acne but are filled with water, some come up as big sores and they take months to go away, others come and go daily. I also have this blood-red raised area around mouth, it almost looks like a cold sore but is not, but it's raised like that, It looks like bubbly blisters. It never goes away, it comes up angry red and large one day, then goes down, then up again. My incompetent former family physician told me its rosecea. It could be but I am hoping for s second opinion. I'm pretty sure it's from the Enbrel I take. I'm just so tired of doctors, so very tired. I was told it's a year wait to see a dermatologist, since I have not seen mine in over a year, I need a referral to go see one. This is how it works here.

[Hobbits in reply to Hobbits]

I have had clear skin all my life. I feel like I'm going through puberty at 47!

[lamore08 in reply to Hobbits]

Hi I've just come across your comment. I am on both methotrexate and enbrel and since being on enbrel have been getting an increasing number of spots/pimples/ red spot like swellings on my face. I was referred to a dermatologist who told me it was rosacea. Like you I wasn't very convinced by this, however used the prescribed lotions, face wash, antibiotic cream and nothing has helped. Infact it's gotten worse/spread more. I was wondering if you had had a second opinion? The doctors don't seem keen to link it to medications.

Many thanks

[Gigi71 in reply to Matilda7]

Hi Matilda. I have been on Humira for 8 years, was meant to change to Rituxamab as Humira was blamed for my small skin cancers together with Azathoprine but got cold feet, Humira has been a wonder drug for my RA. I also have the same problem as you just on my right foot a rash on top of my foot towards the instep, have had very dry red skin round the ankle for about 18 months have just been told to moisturise the area. Have just developed another rash on the side of my ankle up my leg about 4 inches, luckily doesn't itch the doctor gave me epiderm to use with Aveena body wash, the Aveena wash has helped my very dry skin on the rest of my body. Still have the rash. My left foot is fine. Helps to know someone else has it too.

[Matilda7 in reply to Gigi71]

Isn't it weird? But you had been on humira for several years before your rash developed?

[Gigi71 in reply to Matilda7]

Hi Matilda. My skin has been a problem for a number of years, always put it down to steroids, have been on them for 31 years. Before my RA I had really good smooth skin. I have so many moles and lumps and bumps that come up. I was referred to a dermatologist about 4 years ago with 2 lumps. Had a biopsy on them, one was a Basel cell the other a Squarmish cell had them removed and numerous actinic keratosis the latter they have used liquid nitrogen at various times. In January this year had another Basel cell carcinoma removed. It was suggested I came off Humira and Azathioprine as the cause. I was also given Efidix cream to try and clear up the actinic keratosis, it has worked although 3 more are appearing, using the cream again. Just started mxt. As stopped the Azathioprine. Have not seen a dermatologist since March. Seeing my doctor next week so will check again re this strange rash, like you the rash used to clear up,but not lately it's got worse. Will have to decide if it's the Humira to change to Rituximab, that takes about 4 months to start working. Was just amazed to read you had the same. Will keep you posted.

[Matilda7 in reply to Gigi71]

I'm also seeing a homeopath and he's treating my overheating, itchy, angry feet! Today they are much better, but is it because he changed the medication yesterday or because the weather is cooler? Today I can sit in the garden, yesterday it was so hot I cancelled my appointment in London and hid in the house all day.

Do you also have burning sensations and 'lumpy' places in your feet?

[Gigi71 in reply to Matilda7]

Yes, but my feet are a real problem, have to date had 5 operations on them including triple foot fusions on both feet. I have erosive RA negative. My right ankle has collapsed, but I don't want another operation as they want to fuse it plus another to realign the foot. Recovery time 18 months, walking isn't easy as my feet are stiff and in this hot weather they swell, but not unbearable pain so will continue as I am. I am under the best surgeon at the Royal Othopaedic hospital in Stanmore, but there's no guarantee the RA won't ruin all the hard work. I saw a homeopath many years ago and had good results, but as a divorced mother at the time with a mortgage I found it hard to keep paying the fee. Good luck to you as I also favour self help and diet and anything that helps me live as full a life as possible.

[earthwitch]

Definitely make sure your rheumatologist knows about this rash. some of the antitnfs can actually trigger psoriasis, and in that case I think they usually swap you to another antitnf.