Holding on to Hope With My Psoriasis Biologic

We're almost 2 years into this global pandemic. And dare I say, it seems that this year is looking a lot brighter than both 2020 and 2021. Certain restrictions such as face masks, working from home, and showing our vaccination status when entering certain venues have now been dropped in the UK. It seems the overall picture is looking rather positive.

And I’m pleased to report that my skin is doing well, too.

Is treatment failure around the corner?

I’m not completely clear. I have psoriasis patches in my belly button and on my scalp, but at this moment, I haven't gotten it widespread or severely anywhere else.

This is a good sign. The current biologic injection I am on for my skin appears to be keeping most of the symptoms at bay, allowing me to live life and be myself. I am going out more, I am enjoying general activities more and I am finding my overall happiness has improved.

So, all positive. One issue, though. What if my biologic injection stops working? Look, I know I shouldn’t be negative and dwell on an issue that may never happen, but it is in the back of my mind.

I reckon a lot of psoriasis sufferers who have tried multiple biologic injections - and this is my third one - think the same way. We’re so beset by this illness and how it manifests that whenever we get relief or clearance, we feel we can’t take it for granted.

My decision to try a biologic

There is still a nagging thought or feeling that the treatment will stop working and we’ll be covered in psoriasis patches once more. But, I do think there is cause for great optimism with my current biologic injection.

I am on Skyrizi. My doctor really talked it up when I was offered it and it seemed like a great treatment choice. And I am so glad I decided to take it.

With biologic injections, because the science is changing all the time and new biologic injection treatments are coming out all the time, you may be worried about the side effects, particularly in the long term. I was, to be honest.

These are powerful treatments. But I just thought, I’ve got to try it. It’s either that or be miserable. Yet, even so, and despite that biologic injections don’t work for everyone. Some individuals do develop nasty side effects, while others the medicine simply just do not achieve clearance.

I've decided to hold on to hope

Having what looked like a chemist in my own home with the number of moisturizers, lotions, oils, and corticosteroids I tried, I was worried biologic injections would just be like them, and either just clear the redness and not the scales, or not really work at all.

Now I’m over that and my current biologic appears to be doing very well, the next year is going to be crucial in my treatment program. I have a feeling Skyrizi is going to be my most effective and will soon be the longest biologic I have been on, provided it continues to provide me with relief.

If I do have a flare-up in places, I know it can be contained much better and not consume my entire body. But, if the medication stops and it no longer clears my condition, I will be in a bit of a rut.

That would be the third biologic that has failed me, and my options are running out in terms of alternative remedies.

For now, though, I’m just going to remain thankful and hopeful that my condition will remain under control and not cause me too much of a burden.