Biologics or no biologics
Is it possible to live with Psoriatic Arthritis without going on biologics?? I read some of the stories and the fear of lowering my already low immune system is scary. I was on Leflunomide which I know is not a biologic but the side affects were so horrible it makes me afraid to try something else.
Is anyone out there with psoriatic arthritis and not on a biologic and if so how do you handle your PsA?
Currently on Otezla, and I experienced only very mild GI side effects during the initial titration phase. Have had generally positive effects, and no real side effects to speak of. Not as efficacious as biologics like Skyrizi was, but Skyrizi quit working for me after nearly two years, so….
Thanks for the info Eric. I tried Otezla once a long time ago but it gave me such a horrible headache. I am glad that it works for you. I guess it all just depends on the person because what works for one person may be different for someone else. Maybe I just need to take a chance.
Did you start on a titration pack, or did your Rheumatologist just start you off on a low dosage tablet? You might give it another trial, and see if you can get through the side effects this time. I’ve also done JAK inhibitors, but those lowered my immune resistance so much that I got every opportunistic infection that came along, and spent almost as much time off of the medications recovering from inspections as I was on them. Really wasn’t worth it for me. And I gained a lot of weight while on them. As for biologics, it’s mostly upper respiratory infections you have to watch out for (head colds), and practicing appropriate hygiene measures during cold and flu season, and maybe wearing a mask in crowded public areas, would be advisable. That’s what I did when I was using biologics, and I never picked up a cold, and I even used biologics during COVID. Unfortunately our options with this disease are limited. Even if you feel like you can get by using NSAIDs, and your joints don’t feel too bad, this disease is doing things inside your body you may not be aware of. It’s attacking your kidneys, your heart, your brain, your nervous system. So you owe it to yourself to use whatever arsenal you have at your disposal to combat this.
