In reference to
this thread.
The drug works to suppress the immune system
Sounds a lot like those drugs such as Amevive. We're bound to see a bunch of these pop up within the next five years... everyone's jumping on the biologics bandwagon.
Having just ending my Dovonex routine (for now), I'll be going into another diet regiment that someone passed to me through MyP. We'll see how that works.
Trying to get away from chemicals and steroids and all of that bulls***. I've been undergoing detox diets every three months for two week intervals and I really feel that it's been a great deal more helpful than any other ointments that I've tried. I also feel physically better after completing these diets and believe they could be the key to preventing mild to moderate cases of P.
Most people won't stay off of caffienes (sodas and coffees), dairy, and sugars, and red meats and that type of stuff though. It *is* very hard to discipline yourself to do so and to accept some very unsavory substitutes (like soy milk for two weeks... blech!)
The question you have to ask yourself though is "How badly do I want to improve my condition?" I've found that most psoriatics that I've spoken to will admit to eating something they know they shouldn't be.
My weakness: Vinegar.
"Oh, tangy red wine sauce of the Gods - how I love thee."
I know I should stay away from it, but I cannot resist, and actually look forward to, a weekly tuna fish extravaganza where I just smatter salt, pepper, oil and vinegar on several tuna sandwiches. I used to eat tuna like this on a daily basis in high school, and then I noticed that the vinegar was affecting me in a bad way.
I stopped for a while, and do so while I'm on any type of diet tailored to help my P, but I keep going back to it and end up having to endure some kind of consequence... I'm no Ironman, but at least I try... and my efforts have not gone unrewarded.
When I speak to various other psoriatics, it seems like they would try a biologic treatment faster than they would a diet, seeing a diet as too inconvientient or requiring too much discipline. This scares me. It's a microwave-oven mentality ("get it done, and get it done fast") that we really need to get beyond if we want to see our conditions improve.
In my experiences with myself and communication with others, diet is KEY to remission. KEY.
It just comes down, once again, to that question:
"How badly do you want it and what personal sacrifices are you willing to make to achieve it?"
I'd try a diet over a potentially dangerous, $8,000 treatment any day.