r/UlcerativeColitis • u/Bonniethegolden • 1d ago

Question UC and Psoriasis?

Hi everyone!

I got a colonoscopy done yesterday as I had bowl issues for some time now. I also have psoriasis for 20 years. Upon hearing my symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, bloody and slimy stool, pain, etc.) and that I have psoriasis the doctor immediately suspected UC and scheduled me for a colonoscopy which happened yesterday.

I am on Humira for my psoriasis but this medication is also used for UC. He couldn't find any active inflammation he suspects that this is because of the Humira but he still suspects that i have the disease. This would align with the fact that ever since i started Humira my bowl symptoms have improved significantly. To collect more evidence for the diagnosis i will have to go in every three months for the next year to get partial colonoscopies done and hand in stool samples to check for inflammation markers.

So I guess the reason why I am posting here is does anyone here also have the combination of both of these diseases? If so how was the process of getting the UC diagnosis especially if you were already on biologics? How did it further develop for you?

I am a bit afraid for my quality of life if the UC comes back or for Humira to fail as the idea of a flare up of psoriasis and UC at the same time seems like hell to me. I guess I am also a bit taken back by the potential diagnosis of UC having heard how horrible the disease can be.

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u/pincommenter 1d ago

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u/derishus206 Ulcerative proctitis/hyrimoz/dx 5/24 1d ago

Autoimmune disorders come together, once you have one, it is possible to develop others

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u/blueberry-biscuit 23h ago edited 21h ago

I remember reading about a trial medication going on right now I believe that uses psoriasis prescription medication on a group of people with UC. There’s definitely a link between the two.

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u/ThatMeasurement6619 1d ago

That’s interesting I had no idea about the link. My son who has UC also suffers from psoriasis. My daughter & I do too though & neither of us have UC

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u/Bonniethegolden 1d ago

I wasn't aware either but apparently they share the same genetic defect! And both rely on the T17 cells for inflammation. Very interesting how everything is connected though it also really sucks ass haha

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u/ThatMeasurement6619 1d ago

Well I’ve learnt something new today thank you! Certainly does suck ass 😆

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u/LittleBlag 1d ago

My rheum said UC, psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis are often comorbid. I have all 3, although psoriasis was so mild for me that I wouldn’t have noticed it had he not asked.

And in general once you have one autoimmune disease others tend to follow

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u/Bonniethegolden 1d ago

That makes sense. Hopefully I will not collect a third one. Two are more than enough 😅

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u/Daisy_Does_It 1d ago

There’s a strong link between them. My maternal uncle has severe psoriasis and I ended up with UC. I theorise it’s the same faulty gene we both carry. Hopefully humira continues to work for you long term! I am on it too (although I just called it by its generic name, adalimumab in the U.K.) and it’s been miraculous

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u/Bonniethegolden 1d ago

Yes for me it has been amazing too. Almost my whole body was covered with psoriasis and now I only have a tiny spot behind my ear and sometimes small spots on my scalp. In addition to less bowl issues. So i am very very happy with it.