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psoriasis of the skin liked to remicade

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psoriasis of the skin liked to remicade  
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ColitisBgone
New Member
Joined : Dec 2009
Posts : 14
Posted 1/13/2011 12:05 PM (GMT -7)
Wondering if anyone has any information on the link between Remicade and psoriasis. I have developed bad psoriasis on pretty much my whole body and my dermatologist seems to believe that it could be linked to the Remicade treatment. He says hes going to try to do some more research, and Im coming up with nothing online. I dont want to stop something that has been working so well, but if it is causing all this psoriasis I'm going to need to quit the Remicade. Its a tough call and I would appreciate somebody's input.

Thanks,
-Chris-
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MNorthernlight
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2010
Posts : 47
Posted 1/13/2011 1:13 PM (GMT -7)
Hey, I dont know about the link between the two, but I do know a lot of people who have going relief from psoriasis while on Barney's Formula. You can google it and it should pop up.
21-year-old college student

Lialda, 4 per day
gluten-free (working on other diet mods?)
Fish Oil, Vitamin D, Calc/Magnes, B complex, Folic Acid
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cupcakespinkgal
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2010
Posts : 1566
Posted 1/13/2011 1:25 PM (GMT -7)
I think developing psoriasis is a side effect of all anti-TNF drugs. I haven't heard as much about it in reference to Remicade but I do know quite a few people on the Crohn's board (myself included) who got psoriasis while on Humira. It is actually in the package insert for Humira that you may get psoriasis while taking it.
Diagnosed with Crohn's in 1998, father has UC we were both diagnosed at 20 yrs old.
Previously on Remicade, Humira - No surgeries so far

Meds ~ Sulfasalazine 2/2xday, 1.5 mg LDN, increasing at 2 week intervals
Supps ~ Culturellle, psylium seed, magnesium, D3, K2, Calcium/Boron, multi-mineral. Modified Fodmap/low fructose/no sugar - Greens & seeds everyday for sterols
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mkl11
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2007
Posts : 523
Posted 1/13/2011 1:29 PM (GMT -7)
Yes, there is a connection! I was just at a dermatologist today who confirmed that, and she's the second one to. I developed very mild psoriasis on Remicade. Then when I started Humira it exploded, though fortunately not to the degree you're experiencing. (Un)fortunately, the Humira no longer works for my IBD, so I stopped it 2 months. I'm experiencing next to no psoriasis.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this! Have you tried any of the topical creams to control it? Though if it's affecting that much your body, that's usually when they bring in drugs like Remicade/Humira for traditional psoriasis. Best of luck.
22 y/o graduate student

(Mis)diagnosed with Crohn's June 2007, (Quasi)diagnosed with UC and IBS August 2010
Flare since March 2010
Currently: Lialda (4.8g), VSL #3, Canasa, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Ferrous Sulfate, Fiber Supplement, B12 injections monthly
Previously: Imuran (Allergic), Asacol, Prednisone, Remicade, Humira
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napacabs
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 90
Posted 1/14/2011 8:04 AM (GMT -7)
There are a number of published research studies that demonstrate this link between TNF-alpha inhibitors (Remicade,Humira,Cimzia) and the development of psoriasis. Go to pubmed.com and search using the above keywords. From what I've read, the consensus right now is to weigh the pros of treatment versus the side effects to determine whether or not to discontinue your infusions. Switching to another TNF-alpha inhibitor has also been recommended but it seems that many continue to have the same reactions (sometimes worse) with other members of the TNF-alpha inhibitor family. Supportive therapy of the psoriasis itself should help. Topical steroid creams, light therapy, etc. Most of the studies show that if you discontinue the TNF-alpha inhibitor, the psoriasis will resolve with time.

I hope that helps.

NapaCabs
35 yo male physician/orthopedic surgeon
in remission
VSL #3, SCDiet (modified)
Psyllium Husk
Multivitamin: Pure encapsulations 950 Daily
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Eva Lou
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 3444
Posted 1/14/2011 8:43 AM (GMT -7)
But isn't Humira & Remicade used to treat some form of psoriasis? Some severe form, plaque something or other. Wow, that's weird- my skin has been fine, I've been on one or another tnf blocker for 4 years now.
diagnosed 2002
Asacol
Remicade-10mgs/kg- from 4/07 thru 1/10
Humira
Imuran- 150mgs/day
homemade kefir, probiotic supplement, turmeric
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fruitgirl
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 7150
Posted 1/14/2011 9:11 AM (GMT -7)
Eva Lou, yes, they are, but in a strange twist, they can also cause it in some people. Weird, huh?
Status: Remission since May 2009!

Symptoms began in November 2008, ~4 weeks after giving birth to my son

Diagnosed with pancolitis on 1/30/09

Meds: Apriso (4 0.375g pills ONCE!! daily), mesalamine enema twice weekly, Natural Factors Ultimate probiotic 12/12 Formula, multivitamin.  Used prednisone (starting dose 40 mg) to get into remission.

 

 

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Lonie
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2005
Posts : 6448
Posted 1/14/2011 11:26 AM (GMT -7)
I was just thinking the same thing Eva Lou, while reading this thread. I too thought that the Remi and Humira helped with psoriasis, but I suppose just like some of the other meds, they can have the opposite effect. I didn't have these issues while on Remi, and I hope that you find a solution ColitisBgone. This must be so tough to deal with. Take care.

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ColitisBgone
New Member
Joined : Dec 2009
Posts : 14
Posted 1/14/2011 3:52 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks to all for the advice. Ive tried using prescription topical creams and coal tar in my hair. They have been effective on the skin, but not the scalp. I'm going to need to talk to my doctor to start weening off the remicade, but of course Im not going to be able to see him for 2 months. Oh well the psoriasis is nothing compared to UC. Thanks again.

-Chris-
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napacabs
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 90
Posted 1/16/2011 8:54 AM (GMT -7)
Eva Lou,

It is strange that the treatment for the disease can cause the disease itself. This side effect is coming to light amongst physicians and causing a bit of contention on the safety of its use. You've been on Remicade for 4 years. Most people who develop this side effect do so in the first few infusions, so I wouldn't worry

ColitisBgone
You don't have to "ween" off of Remicade. You can just stop it but you want to make sure you have a way of controlling the inflammatory process of your colon prior to doing so.

Good luck
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newme22
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2017
Posts : 44
Posted 12/27/2018 4:35 PM (GMT -7)
I know this is a old thread but I found it very helpful to me with what I am now going through right now and really didn't know where to start. So here I am and here it is.

I have been on Remicade for over a year now and started to develop some skin issues back in April. I didn't think much about it at the time but as it started to worsen into Nummular Eczema and now Pustular Psoriasis with inflammation and plaques pretty much all over my legs, arms, and worst or all my feet. Treating my skin with steroids and uvb light was not successful so I finally made the decision with my Dermo's advice to stop my Remicade, which was keeping my U/C symptoms pretty much under control for 3 weeks out of 6 between infusions.

My Gastro Dr. and I did not want to burn the bridge on Remicade so we kept on with it for 3 more months. But it came to a point where I really had no other choice but to stop my Remicade. My skin was starting to crack and we were worried about infections setting in. This was a heartbreaking decision for me to make, choosing which to save, my feet or my colon.

Anyway, I stopped Remicade and started Entyvio infusion on December 20, 2018 and am hoping I do not flare to bad while I am waiting to see if it will work for my u/c and if my skin issues will eventually disappear now that I am off of Remicade.To bad there are no guarantee's either condition will have a happy ending.

My Gastro Dr. said it may take 6 months for the Entyvio to take full effect. In the mean time if my u/c symptoms get real bad to send him a message and we can start a slow taper of Preds again.

I have to admit. I am scared at this point not knowing how this will all work out.
Thanks everyone for listening and letting me share my feeling here.
Diag: New-10/25/17 Ulcerative pancolitis.
Rx: 10/20/17 Remicade 5mg/kg infusion every 6 weeks. Lialda 3 tabs daily.
Rx:9/28/18 Increased Remicade to 10mg/kg every 6 weeks.
Rx:12/20/18 Stopped Remicade.
Rx:12/20/18 Started Entyvio infusions.

Post Edited (newme22) : 12/29/2018 9:04:11 AM (GMT-7)

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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 14303
Posted 12/29/2018 10:12 AM (GMT -7)
Hope it clears up. Sometimes psoriasis is a secondary immune condition and unrelated to our medications. If the rash doesn't clearup after ceasing remi then that's the case. Wait and see.
Moderator Ulcerative Colitis
John
, 40, UC Proctosigmoiditis
Rx: Remicade @5mgs/kg/6wks; daily 75mgs 6MP, 4.8g generic-Lialda, and rowasa

If you fart really loudly in public, just yell "jet-power" and walk faster
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newme22
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2017
Posts : 44
Posted 12/29/2018 4:23 PM (GMT -7)

iPoop said...
Hope it clears up. Sometimes psoriasis is a secondary immune condition and unrelated to our medications. If the rash doesn't clearup after ceasing remi then that's the case. Wait and see.

iPoop..Thanks for the info and support.. It's greatly appreciated!
Still stuck at home, Waiting to see if I get better. As of now no change yet in rash. Gastro, starting to flare more the last few days. My colon seems to of gone to sleep for now. I'm hoping it quitely wakes up soon. This is what it does when the inflammation starts to get bad, and then all hell breaks loose. Ouch!!
Oh well, time will tell. If it gets real bad with the twisting and swelling pain again, I may have to call the doc after New years if not sooner and start the preds again. I sure don't want to let it get to out of control like I have done in the past.
I sure hope I didn't give up my Remicade for nothing even if it wasn't holding me for the entire gap between infusions. I was a lot better off from a u/c standpoint, with it than I ever was without it.
Diag: New-10/25/17 Ulcerative pancolitis.
Rx: 10/20/17 Remicade 5mg/kg infusion every 6 weeks. Lialda 3 tabs daily.
Rx:9/28/18 Increased Remicade to 10mg/kg every 6 weeks.
Rx:12/20/18 Stopped Remicade.
Rx:12/20/18 Started Entyvio infusions.

Post Edited (newme22) : 12/29/2018 5:20:30 PM (GMT-7)

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MarkWithIBD
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 133
Posted 12/30/2018 2:14 PM (GMT -7)
I had scalp psoriasis before I ever developed UC. The year that I tried biologics, my psoriasis got better but my UC didn't.

The dermatologist I went to said my psoriasis was being aggravated by scalp fungus, a kind of yeast. When I used the prescription shampoo for it to kill the yeast, the psoriasis went away.

Maybe the psoriasis is worse for you on biologics because there's something on the skin that grows stronger when the immune system is suppressed.

Also a naturopath told me once that severe eczema or psoriasis on other parts of the body is because the body is overloaded and can't detox itself fast enough. So maybe extra medication is doing that to you. I can't say because the reason for my psoriasis seems to have been fungus.
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newme22
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2017
Posts : 44
Posted 12/31/2018 8:11 PM (GMT -7)

MarkWithIBD said...
I had scalp psoriasis before I ever developed UC. The year that I tried biologics, my psoriasis got better but my UC didn't.

The dermatologist I went to said my psoriasis was being aggravated by scalp fungus, a kind of yeast. When I used the prescription shampoo for it to kill the yeast, the psoriasis went away.

Maybe the psoriasis is worse for you on biologics because there's something on the skin that grows stronger when the immune system is suppressed.

Also a naturopath told me once that severe eczema or psoriasis on other parts of the body is because the body is overloaded and can't detox itself fast enough. So maybe extra medication is doing that to you. I can't say because the reason for my psoriasis seems to have been fungus.

Thanks for the support Mark. What your saying makes sense. My system was pretty suppressed with the double dose of Remicade plus we changed my infusion from every 8 weeks to ever 6 a year ago for the u/c flares. Anyway it's back to the drawing board. We just made some big changes 12 days ago and again today. We're hoping to get me Well again. It's gonna take some patience and time before we know if these meds will work. If not than maybe Stelara will be approved by the fda for u/c by then. It's approved for Psoriasis and Crohns but not u/c yet.
Diag: New-10/25/17 Ulcerative pancolitis.
Rx: 10/20/17 Remicade 5mg/kg infusion every 6 weeks. Lialda 3 tabs daily.
Rx:9/28/18 Increased Remicade to 10mg/kg every 6 weeks.
Rx:12/20/18 Stopped Remicade.
Rx:12/20/18 Started Entyvio infusions.
Rx:12/31/18 Start Preds again 30 day taper+ Ambien for sleep
Rx:12/31/18 Add antibiotics for skin infection
,

Post Edited (newme22) : 1/1/2019 11:13:08 AM (GMT-7)

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