Hey, Chronically Fabulous Patient. Hope you’re having a great week!
As you heard here, I started the first week of the Otezla starter pack on February 12th.
I filmed the following week 1 recap video on February 18th – so just shy of a week.
Overall, week 1 was alright. Mostly annoying, to be honest.
I had a headache every day, my stomach wasn’t very happy, definitely felt nauseous and had a mini panic attack the one day.
Watch my video to hear my thoughts on week 1.
I can tell you that week 2 is definitely going much differently than week 1. Week 1’s side effects were more “annoying” than anything. Week 2’s side effects are affecting my day to day.
Click here to read Week 2’s recap!
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is extremely important that if you experience side effects/adverse events from a medication that you report them. Why? Well, if you report them, more patients can be aware, drug companies can manufacture safer products and it can help the FDA do their job more appropriately. If you yourself experience adverse events, please make sure to report them to MedWatch.
Wishing You A Pain Free Day!
I am on my 5th week of Otezla for palmoplantar psoriasis. My hands are 98% clear and my feet are about 50% better. I have noticed a few headaches but not sure if it is the drug or stress. I use doterra peppermint oil for them…forehead and temples and back of neck which really helps. Also…I always eat something before taking any drug…just kinder to my stomach that way. Same thing with my stools…more frequent and looser but nothing unmanageable. I am so thrilled not to have my hands cut, bleeding and like sandpaper that I barely notice any side effects and am willing to put up with a headache or two and looser stools for what it is doing for my hands alone! Stick with it and focus on the positives you may see from it.
Thank you Marilyn! I’m glad to hear you’re having relief from it!! I was really starting to get worried when all I keep hearing are people having the same side effects as me- like in this thread: https://www.facebook.com/itsjustabaddaynotlife/posts/627934420745237
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Otezla was a miracle in clearing up my 90% coverage but the side effects really bothered me. I could only take 30 mg or I would be living in the bathroom. I was thrilled about my skin but my stomach kept getting worse and I would,pass out from cramps on the toilet. from so many bowel movents I started bleeding rectally. Got insomnia and headaches the first week. My arthritis got way worse after a couple of months. Then I started to see my psoriasis flare again. I tried to go up,to 60 mg but could not due to living in the bathroom.
Got depressed and had a colonoscopy and it came out all clear. So it was certain Otezla was causing all,the intestinal,pain as well as depression and worsening of muscular pain. Doc said to go off drug and I have been living with the worst psoriasis flare up for 16 days. Waiting to see if I could get Stalera I was put back on Otezla . On day 2 of Otezla I am so sick and running to,the bathroom that I simply can’t take the drug. Now I understand why people lose up to 20 pounds really fast. They can’t keep food in them. Sad story.
I hear you- when I first started on it my gut was a MESS. And definitely had major headaches. I’ve actually since stopped taking it because I’m actually pregnant. Since I got off of it, I’ve had psoriasis flare up on my legs, chest and all over my scalp. I actually have never really had a problem with my skin, so I’m annoyed! I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy or the fact I got off of otezla. If I have to get back on a med I wouldn’t get back on Otezla having tried it now.
Thank you for sharing your story!