Ustekinumab for Psoriasis User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2018

"I've had spots of psoriasis since my early twenties - mostly limited to my elbows and a couple spots here and there on my legs. However, I got a strep infection in February and got an outrageous covering of guttate psoriasis. Nothing would help - I went through 3 bottles of different topicals, went to the tanning beds with little to no difference. I was on antibiotics to make sure the strep was gone and my stomach was unhappy about it. Finally got my first shot of Stelara last week. I have limited insurance, so I was grateful for the assistance program. Within a couple of days, the spots seem less angry - less pain, itching, and not as bright red. The patches are still there, but appear to be fading. I'm praying the progress continues!!"

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2017

"I have had psoriasis since the age of my early twenties, around the knees, and then slowly it spread to my arms, buttocks, and eventually about 90% of my body. I tried all the creams with little to no help. I realized that the disease was from the inside and then tried juicing fruits and vegetables, which was very helpful. In 2015, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in my back, and the doctor suggested Stelara. My case was very severe, so I was prescribed the .95 mg dose. The first injection was noticeable in a few weeks, easy. I have been taking the treatment for close to 2 years now, and I am about 95% completely clear. I am absolutely amazed by the results. All my blood tests have been normal. The enjoyment of being psoriasis-free is overwhelming!"

• goo...
• July 28, 2017

"I am a 47-year-old Australian male, and I had my first Stelara 45 mg injection 3 weeks ago. I can honestly say Stelara is definitely working for me. Although my lesions are still visible, the 'angriness' has subsided and scaling is almost gone. Most of my PS patches are starting to look like sun spots or birthmarks. I think a holiday in the sun will fix that up! It is slow progress, so I will be interested to see what happens following my booster injection next week. I just hope the improvement doesn't stop at where I am currently. No adverse side effects for me at this stage, but as suggested by my nurse, I am much more proactive when it comes to avoiding infections, such as coughs, colds, or flu, and we are in our winter season. So far so good."

• DMS...
• January 18, 2021

"I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 10 yrs ago (took Asacol for 6 months, nothing after that). Two years ago it became so bad my doctor put me on Humira. It was a miracle drug, I had never felt so good. After about a month, I developed psoriasis (never had any skin issues ever). My feet and hands have been the worst. Walking and using my hands is extremely painful. Then it got to my scalp, and my hair was falling out in clumps. I have lost easily 70% of my hair, this has been devastating. I was taken off of Humira (it's been 4 months now). My Crohn's has not come back, and the psoriasis is still in full swing. Now I am having horrible back pains and back spasms issues (not sure if it's related, however, my guess is it is). Currently waiting to start on Stelara, and yes, I am scared to death at what the side effects might be for me. Anyone else have similar issues?"

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 10, 2018

"After years of light treatment, Raptiva and Humira, I am 100 percent cleared. I was an absolute mess, bloody sheets and clothes. Raptiva was removed from the market by the US government, Humira helped, but only to a point. It cleared up much of the condition but never improved any more. I have been clear of the condition for several years now, but still get an injection every eight weeks. Cost compared to all the other meds is extremely expensive, but it really works for me."

• Per...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2024

"I just began my 4th year on Stelara. It is the best experience I have EVER had with any drug! I take a 45 mg shot every 84 days and have since 2020. I have no significant side effects, just some stiff joints for a couple of days after the shots. I was covered with plaque psoriasis (46%) for almost 10 years, and my scalp was 80% covered, I even had it under my fingernails before I began Stelara. Nothing ever worked before, and it continues to work to this day."

• gle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

"My psoriasis has been around for 35 years. I kept it under control with a UVB light rack I installed at home. 6 months ago, it started raging... all over and bright red! I was at a loss, so I tried the Stelara. I have been on it for 4 weeks, and the change is dramatic. I only show signs of some scaling, but no redness anywhere! I did catch a serious cold 2 weeks in - any connection? I am VERY pleased so far."

• Phe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

"I am a 52-year-old female and have had psoriasis since age 8. I’ve tried most things, as you all have above, from creams to PUVA to Humira. I have had just 2 doses of Stelara after breaking down in my rheumatology appointment and realizing that life was so awful that I couldn’t even go out anymore because clothes hurt me. We bought and moved to a house 5 minutes from the beach, but I stopped going here too because I was sick of the stares I got. I am 100% psoriasis-free and I have only worn shorts since it disappeared! I’m just sad that this wonder drug was not around when I was younger. But I am living my life so happily now and am so grateful."

• Mal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2018

"I just lost my best friend to Stelara. Yes, it cleared her psoriasis up, but she got severe lung problems last year and was put in ICU in Feb 2018, and then started having strokes 5 weeks ago. We lost her Saturday night. She started seeing different symptoms a year ago. I told her, and she said, 'Oh no, it's not the shot.' I think it was - this stuff is poison."

• Ann...
• April 6, 2018

"I've had psoriasis since I was 6, and I'm 61 now. My Dr. has given the go-ahead for me to start Stelara, and it's taken me a while to get brave enough to go for the new drug. I've had severe reactions to other drugs in the past, and it scares me that I'll have a bad reaction to this one too, and this has made me stall. However, the psoriasis has taken a major flare-up (as it does at times) over the last few weeks, so I've decided to brave it and go for it. Hopefully, I'll get my 1st shot on Monday next. Just want to say thank you to all who wrote reviews here. It really makes me more confident about taking the drug. I am so excited that I may finally get relief from this awful disease."

• too...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2023

"I was on Stelara for about 2 years, and my psoriasis completely cleared up. My copay was only $90 per shot, but I am retired now and on a Medicare Advantage plan, which makes my copay $3,500 per shot. I can't afford it, the price of this drug is crazy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 6, 2023

"I have had psoriasis for my entire life. A lot of my family has it. I was the only one covered head to toe in the itchy, rough patches. I was so insecure about my skin as I was a young teen. I finally found a dermatologist who understood! She prescribed me with Stelara, and it was the best thing ever! It completely changed my confidence, and I have never experienced any side effects, besides the fact that I have very few small patches that pop up when it's close to my next dosage. A life changer."

• Pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

"After all the tests, I had my 1st jab in August 2019, 2nd in September, and so far so good. I have had psoriasis since the 70s. This is the first time I have felt there could be progress. Over time, one learns to live with the condition and adapt life accordingly. Moved to a sunny climate to assist, but the sun was fine until winter set in.... We have all been through learning curves, but now.... next jab end of November 2019 and can but hope. There are some side effects for me, but they are manageable."

• Eff...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 21, 2022

"I have been taking Stelara for psoriasis for 15 months. It takes some time to become fully potent, although it does begin to work within 3 weeks. I have psoriatic arthritis as well as plaque psoriasis. The plaques have cleared nearly completely, and no real swelling of joints anymore. Still taking 90 mg every 12 weeks."

• Mom...
• November 30, 2017

"I have psoriasis on and off for over 20 years. It affected my ankles only, with a small patch on elbows from time to time, which has not come back for the longest time. However, the ankles would flare up so bad. Tried all the creams possible, Dovonex, Betnovate, mixed by the pharmacist with tar in it... and many more. All of these worked for a while. Then I took tablets internally, Acretin, Fumaderm... did not work. Side effects such as hot flushes, aches and pain, headaches. Then got tested for Stelara. Skeptical about taking an injection. All good so far... started in early November 2017. I did use a fantastic foam recommended by my GP while impatiently waiting and suffering to get Stelara. Working from the inside now :))"

• ECG...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2018

"I have used Stelara since 2015, and I have 100 percent clearing! As an actor, I am very concerned about the breakout or even before they happen, but Stelara has been very effective in controlling the plaques, and I am still amazed at its efficacy on me. I have been trying to take longer intervals between shots. I had a dose the 3rd week in Dec '17 and the next one in April 2018, and this has been the longest interval I have taken. What I have observed within a week (and goes away) after injecting myself with a dose, I feel slightly fatigued, but it doesn't stop me from going to the gym, working out, or mountain biking that week. I'm just thankful that my insurance covers the cost of this expensive drug, but it's worth every drop. I was diagnosed with moderate psoriasis before using Stelara and have used PUVA, creams, shampoos, salicylic acid. PUVA was horrible, as that psoralen would give me a nauseous feeling like a freight train just hit me, but the booth gave me a great tan."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2018

"I've had psoriasis since I was 6, and I'm 61 now. My doctor has given the go-ahead for me to start Stelara, and it's taken me a while to get brave enough to go for the new drug. I've had severe reactions to other drugs in the past, and it scares me that I'll have a bad reaction to this one too, and this has made me stall. However, the psoriasis has taken a major flare-up (as it does at times) over the last few weeks, so I've decided to brave it and go for it. Hopefully I'll get my first shot on Monday next. Just want to say thank you to all who wrote reviews here. It really makes me more confident about taking the drug. I am so excited that I may finally get relief from this awful disease."

• alt...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 27, 2021

"This medication was like magic the first time I got it. I've had severe psoriasis on my scalp and ears for the past 10 years. The topical creams, solutions, and shampoos just wouldn't work. When all other methods failed, my dermatologist recommended a biologic such as Stelara. About 2 weeks after my first dose, I noticed things were clearing up. The second dose was about a month after the first one, and I noticed even more clarity after that one. I've been taking it every 12 weeks since, and I have no more patches in my ears, and only a tiny little bit on my scalp, but it's manageable. I tend to flare up a little bit when it's getting close to the next dose. I would say about week 11 is when I see a little bit more on my scalp than normal, but I know it's because I'm due for my next injection soon. My insurance covers all but about $200, and then the Stelara Savings Card covers the rest, with the exception of $5. So I only pay $5 for a $27,000 drug that is seriously a miracle worker!"

• P...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2021

"I am a 60-year-old male. I began to acquire plaque psoriasis in 2005, beginning with my scalp and soon followed by my elbows, up to my lower forearms. For years, I tried every cream and potion available, and it did little or nothing to help with it or slow down the growth. I did get a bit of scalp relief for a few years from Taclonex Suspension, but it was removed from my insurance allowable drugs list last year. This, and the fact that it was now covering 20% of my buttocks, fingernails, and lower back prompted me to finally look at a biologic. Stelara has (within 7 weeks and two injections) totally removed psoriasis from my life except for one dime-sized spot on my backside. It almost seems too good to be true. The side effects have been some sinus issues within the first week of both injections and some minor joint pain within the first 48 hours of each injection. It has even taken the psoriasis out of the two fingernails that were affected. I only gave it a 9 because of price."

• Jer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2021

"I am having a similar experience as user DMS. I have ulcerative colitis and went on Humira only to develop severe scalp psoriasis a few months later and have been experiencing significant hair loss. I am off of Humira now and waiting to start Stelara but am very nervous about potential side effects. Has anyone else experienced this issue?"

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2023

"Originally began taking Humira for both Crohn's disease and psoriasis. After 18 months of treatment, the injections were no longer effective. A switch to Stelara brought immediate results. After 1 year of injections every 8 weeks, the frequency was increased to 6 weeks due to still very high levels of bowel inflammation. Initially, a headache for 2 days after injection was expected. Now, there are no side effects at all."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2022

"I had a horrible experience with Stelara. 4 days after the first shot, I came down with the worst flu symptoms of my life!!! Body aches, cough, severe headache, chills, no appetite, etc. I'm done with biologics, period. I will try diet as a way of healing."

• sca...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2014

"Stelara has been amazing. After 3 years, still 100%. Changed my life dramatically. No side effects whatsoever, blood work perfect, no colds, flus, etc. Healthy and happy!"

• Pac...
• December 18, 2014

"After 30 plus years of suffering with psoriasis and after being on Stelara for 5 years now, I don't have a skerrick anywhere on my body. I had a PASI rating of 91, now it's 0. Thank you, Stelara."

• Dem...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2014

"I had no side effects with this medication, and my skin has remained 99% clear since I began using it."