Has anyone experienced repeated infections while taking SKYRIZI

@beachesanddreams I've been living with psoriasis since the age of 11, and over time, psoriatic arthritis developed as well—bringing with it a deep, persistent depression. Despite being on SSRIs for eight years, they had no noticeable effect. I eventually stopped taking them, and nothing changed, which confirmed what I had long suspected: the root cause might lie elsewhere.

For the psoriasis, I used topical corticosteroids, which provided only marginal relief. Years later, I was diagnosed with midbrain inflammation—likely caused by a viral or bacterial infection. This inflammation may be the underlying cause of the depression, with inflammatory cytokines believed to be the main drivers of the process.

In 2008, an MRI revealed a Chiari malformation. Although I underwent decompression surgery, it did not lead to any significant improvement in symptoms.

This presents a complex medical challenge, as there are very few treatments that effectively target brain inflammation. I experienced brief relief with methotrexate (MTX), but the side effects were substantial. As with many treatments, responses vary widely depending on the individual and the presence of other comorbidities.

Currently, I'm managing fairly well while taking cetirizine (an antihistamine) at night, which helps keep cytokines partially in check. However, depression resurfaced after I contracted COVID-19—possibly due to renewed brain inflammation.
Keep advocating for yourself, and if necessary, don’t hesitate to change doctors.

I found a very interesting explanation for depression and inflammation, you may like to review: https://www.youtube.com/watch

@swalex I am sending you the biggest Internet squeeze ever. You have really been through it, and for a long time, at that.

Thank you very much for your note and the video. I have an appointment I must make at noon, but I will watch it today, I promise.

@beachesanddreams
Good luck with your appointment.
There's another video focusing on brain inflammation—let me know if you'd like more information about it.

@swalex please post the link to the other video too. I’m interested!

@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.

@beachesanddreams
I use topical steroids (clobetasol) for moderate topical psoriasis. Its helpful but hardly a cure. 6 months of Sky my symptoms improved but did not resolve. Not even close to worth it considering the repeated infections.
Worst part of stopping is not so much the rebound of skin symptoms but the increase in osteoarthritis type joint pain that did improve on Ski .... but then again in no way worth it. Who knew it was an effective anti inflammatory?
Poor due diligence on my part!
Caveat emptor!

Truth be told, there is WAY to much info out there for any medical provider to know so they usually follow the drug company line... "Skyrizi didn't cause your infection" even though the #1 side effect listed is "increased risk of infection." Hmmm a little contradiction there?
I am curious to know more of you "gluten and lactose free" diet. Any pointers? How long to notice a change? Hard one for me as a known "carbo-holic" especially gluten.

@alfalfa52 It was at the suggestion of a rheumy I visited 10 years ago, that I visit a nutritionist in town.

She put me on a gluten-free diet - no wheat or wheat products. Back then, gluten free pastas were in rice form, and they were so mushy, it was just better to eat rice.

Rice & quinoa are GF, Cheerios (not all varieties, check the box) & Chex are too. Today, GF varieties of pastas, cereals, breads and oatmeals are actually wonderful, and they’re not as expensive as they once were. They’ve come a long way. Trader Joe’s has a wonderful GF oatmeal, ET bagel, and English muffin, as well as cupcakes and other desserts. Whole Foods has tons of GF products too, of course, but they’re pricey.

I finally found a fantastic recipe for gluten free bread. I made 3 loaves last month alone and froze them.

Definitely go online and search for “gluten free foods.” Best way is to eliminate for a week or two, then go back, and see what happens. If you find your symptoms resolve or lessen with the elimination of gluten, well, there you go.

There’s a wonderful enzyme called GlutenEase, available on Amazon, that you take with a meal containing gluten, or that you think may contain gluten. My gastroenterologist recommended it to me years ago. I did 11 days in Barcelona back in 2019, ate EVERYTHING in sight, and didn’t have a single flare or issue.

As for lactose, Lactaid has milk and ice creams, as well as an enzyme you take with the first bite of dairy. You can take Lactaid and GlutenEase together. (Drugstores have their generic version; it’s usually cheaper too.)

I don’t need an enzyme with yogurts, cottage cheese, or feta cheese. Some other cheeses I do; it’s kind of a hit or miss, but taking the Lactaid regardless ensures I don’t suffer. I’ve had a problem with dairy since I was a little girl. I keep the enzymes in a small pill bottle in my purse, so I’m always good to go.

Hope that helps!

@beachesanddreams Could you provide a link to the GF bread recipe you like? Thanks