@swalex Good morning! May I ask what you took instead and how you are faring?

I have psoriatic arthritis (there is no definitive test for PA, and another rheumatologist asked me if I have ever been treated for osteoarthritis, which has thrown a fair amount of doubt into the PA diagnosis for me).

Thank you for the info. You confirmed for me why I’m feeling the way I do.

I’m sort of between docs right now. When my first (and current) doc prescribed methotrexate, I asked if my hair would fall out. I told him, if it will, just prepare me. He assured me it would not; I’d be on a low dose, and he prescribed RX folic acid to make sure it didn’t happen.

I lost over 50% of my hair over 5 months. That, combined with terrible rash, and he took me off it.

He never told me I’d be on biologics for life. He said that while my immune system would be reduced, he said it wouldn’t be a problem; the drug wouldn’t suppress a large “swath” of my immune system.

Cut to me now, three weird bouts of inflammation/infections (2with fever) in 7 months.

A nurse told me to take my COVID and flu vaccines 4 weeks after my latest dose. Doc was furious, said no, you have to wait until the week before your next one.

I’m going a little out of my mind here.

I had a second opinion with another rheumatologist. She’s the one who asked if I was treated for osteoarthritis. I liked her a lot, and told her I wanted her to take me as a patient. But I emailed her through the portal last week to inquire if I even should take the next dose, and she hasn’t responded.

I’ve a fair amount of anxiety over this, as my next SKYRIZI dose is Thanksgiving Day, and I don’t know what to do.

Thank you again. Wishing you a calm and sunny morning.