Current Treatment - One Month Taltz Update

Hey Guys!

So, today marks 1 month on Taltz!

This adventure has so far been a bumpy ride. It has definitely helped my skin, but differently to how Humira or anything really, has helped in the past. I'm still having trouble with my joints, although I'm definitely in less pain, I'm still in some pain, and still feel the restrictions in my movements as I did before I started. To my knowledge, this is currently in trials to become a PsA treatment, but unless mine isn't PsA, it's not really helped as much on that front as I'd hoped it would.

While the side effects have been more prominent, they have been mostly common.

• The headaches have been fairly extreme, almost daily. While Neurofen or Panadol takes the edge off, its back as soon as they wear off. 

• The exhaustion. I have been so tired you guys. For about 2 days after the injection, I feel more energised, and actually struggle to get to sleep, and then it's kind of like a sugar crash only it lasts for the remaining 12 days. I've had no desire to leave the house and when I do, it seems way more of a chore than it used to. I usually love getting out of the house, I hate sitting around, but the idea of taking time to get ready, then finding something to do actually feels like too much work. It's not the greatest, and has led to feeling pretty low. 

• Then there are my skins changes.  It has taken all the dry, rough skin away, but has left discolouration in its place, so now I look like I am covered in bruises. Some areas have lost the colour, others are still almost red - like my trouble spot on my leg. It has also left my skin feeling so, so oily! Not specifically in places where my Pso was either. You'll see what I mean in the pictures below, but I've had a huge break out on my upper back and chest, and a few in my hairline on my face. I actually had a similar issue with Humira, and it seemed to be a reaction when frequently dosing - Humira I could easily have gone monthly and remained clear, but Dr Derm told me that was not an option officially. When I chose to spread them out more myself - particularly through summer as I just didn't need them as much with the addition of the sun, my bacne cleared up completely. It's just a thing I've noticed, and hope that once the 3 months of fortnightly goes to monthly, this issue will resolve itself, otherwise, it's just one skin issue replacing itself with another.

• I have woken every single day without fail with a sore throat. I also have to cough up nasties to get rid of it. Those nasties have had blood in them every day. That's also pretty gross. 

The positives are that my skin is no longer sore or inflamed, in fact, I can't even feel where it was (except my leg spot, but that one is an asshole), My joints have shown some improvement, and seeing as it's still pretty early days, I'm hopeful that they will continue to improve. I'm able to play with and care for my son again, so that feels like a pretty big win.

So without further ado! One month picture update!

So there you go - Proof is in the pictures! Next comes the Rheum appointment to suss out the damage to my joints, and find out why my hips and spine are so un-aligned. Yay! 😐

Thanks so much for reading,
Millz.