I can say that i did a lot of research and my doctor said that those side effects you hear about and the risks are there but ONLY while i am using those meds. I started enbrel wed and am about to go home and do my next injectino in a few. I have been living the battle of psoriasis for over 25 yrs...(and i am only 30) and i can say that i dont feel that i will ever be "normal" but i do know that stressing about the disease only makes it worse....Keep your head up!!!!!!

I very much agree with NicoleQuerry I have had psorisis since the age of 16 and am now 45, I have been on methotrexate for 12 yrs straight every week and have been taking enbrel for 4 yrs. While the effects of methotrexate can lead to possible, and I say possible, side effects on the liver, I have had no problems. I say defenitely worth the risk, even if I had issues I would still and do take the risks. I would much rather have it under control as much as possible than to not take the risks. To do other wise would make me totally miserable and has. It hurts!!!

I was also worried about risks of taking anything that suppresses imune system. However, finally got tired of aching and went to rheumatologist. She put me on Methotrexate, folic acid, and B12 (blood factors for both psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis). I am wipped out the day I take the Methotrexate (4 pills once a week) and have noticed some RA nodules, but skin and allergies already better.

I have been dealing with this for 34 years and I am 44 years of young :)
It is horrible. I have tried every medicine out there. Mine has never went away with anything. It has been under control as far as the flakes but skin was always red.. and the itching has never stopped. drives me nuts at night. I have spent thousands of dollars to get it to go away but the truth is one must learn to deal with it..I don't want to deal with it .. I am so tired of waking up every 2 hours just because i am itching. My scalp well it drives me insane. I have stopped using the meds. Because my uncle John got it on his hands. and used the same product for 4 years. He has cancer now... Me I have had cancer twice. So I stopped it.. Never worked anyway. I can tell you I don't know if the cancer is related to the meds I took for it or not.. but when I have used the very costly meds.. I end up with broncitis every time.. I always catch everything going. This year I decided not to use it .. no colds, flu or nothing has hit me yet. Makes me wonder really does
But, are we better with meds or without is the question cause I should would love to have this under control.. just so I can get some sleep

Joleemusic: research Methotrexate; you will find that it is an anticancer drug that was discovered to help control psoriasis in cancer patients. Yes it does have its risks as do all medications, but with combinations of my creams and lotion, as well as controling my diet and learning wich activities and environments that set off my itching, I have in the long run been able to control the itching. I have had this for over 30 yrs as well and am 100% disabled as I have it over 90% of my body. But very rarely do I have itching anymore. I take enbrel to control the arthritis. I have the worst time in the winter and can barely walk without pain. But you must decide for yourself what the best treatments are that suit your situation. The best control is not to let yourself get so overwhelmed from the frustration of the itching as stress will only increase the psoriasis production, therefor increasing the itching sensations. Be very aware of the soaps, animals, clothing materials and your environment as these things are very much related to the control of your psoriasis.

GET SKIN CAP! I'M 61 AND WAS DIAGNOSED AT 14 WITH PSORIASIS. I HAVE TRIED DAMN NEAR EVERYTHING ON & OFF THE MARKET. YOU NAME IT I CAN CLAIM IT BUT I NO LONGER BATTLE. I BOUGHT SOME SKIN CAP. I SAW A CHANGE WITHIN LIKE 3 DAYS. IN LESS THAN A MONTH IT WAS GONE. 100% GONE. THEY HAD TAKEN IT OFF THE MARKET BECAUSE IT WAS SAID TO HAVE STEROIDS IN IT. I DIDN'T CARE IF IT HAD ELEPHANT AND PANTHER PEE IN IT....IT WORKS. YOU CAN GET IT FROM THE SKIN CAP WEBSITE & IT'S A LITTLE EXPENSIVE DEPENDING ON WHAT SIZE THE CAN IS. ON EBAY IS COSTS LESS BUT I NEED TO KNOW THAT WHAT I GET IS THE REAL MCCOY.

TRY SKIN CAP....NOT SKIN CAP BLUE. IT'S CALLED SKIN CAP. IT COMES IN A BLUE CAN. IT SPRAYS ON REAL COLD AND DRIES FAST & ORDERLESS. IT WORKS. I PROMISE YOU WON'T BE SORRY.

Not everyone has side effects! I have been on methotrexate for 8 weeks, no side effects and my sever plaque psoriasis is gone!!!!
Keep your head up though! I went for over a year and a half with no relief.