Rinvoq: Getting My Life Back

For years, eczema patients only had so many options for treatments. Now, we are overwhelmed with new medications with strange names and unforeseeable futures. It's difficult understanding what is for us and what isn't.

From creams, to pills, to injectables, the possibilities are endless... and scary. But, Shari, took a leap of faith and has kept moving despite all of the hurdles.

What is Shari's "normal"?

Shari Heilala, from Chicago, Illinois, knows exactly what it feels like to deal with horrific skin.

When we must manage our skin with constant care, routine, and caution, that level of anxiety and oversight becomes "normal." It's not a healthy normal, either. And when Shari had been suffering through flare after flare for so long, she knew it was time to test out these new treatments.

"After suffering from topical steroid withdrawal for over 5 years, I needed some relief," she shares.

Whether it's eczema or TSW, there comes that breaking point. Years and years of incessant itch and shedding causes not only physical pain, but mental pain. Shari mentions how fatigued she felt trying to relieve the itch and physical torture of her skin. It was non-stop.

As a realtor and consultant, she hated having to face clients, even worrying about the temperature outside. Her body couldn't handle anything about 70 degrees, which even in Chicago can be a struggle to navigate half of the year. And she intensely loves her job, making it even harder to cope. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

Which prescription eczema treatments did she try?

Lucky for her, Shari has Dr. Peter Lio to turn to for help. He is one of the most well renowned doctors who sees both eczema and TSW patients.

At first, Shari tried Dupixent, a drug that has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of patients find relief. But, it didn't work for Shari. Although a biologic, injectable drug that is famed for being super targeted in our system (it blocks the IL-4 and IL-13 inflammation pathways), it simply didn't cut it.

Then, Shari tried Adbry, another biologic drug. It is also an injection. This time, it targeted only IL-13, which sometimes works better than being on Dupixent. However, it was another failed treatment option.

Feeling depleted, but determined, Shari tried one more option that Dr. Lio suggested.

Would Rinvoq work?

After two failed biologic attempts, Dr. Lio prescribed Shari Rinvoq, one of the newest eczema treatments out on the market.

It is not a biologic drug, but a JAK inhibitor. Instead of being injected, it is an oral medication. To place it on the scale, it is less suppressive than an immunosuppressant like cyclosporine or methotrexate, but not as targeted as Dupixent or Adbry. The not too cold, not too hot, three bears scenario.

And it worked.

"It has a black box warning for heart issues and increased risk of cancer, which were the scariest by far," Shari reveals about weighing her last options. "But I wasn't living due to the TSW, so I took the risk."

How has Rinvoq helped?

"Rinvoq gave me my life back," she states plainly. "I'm on 15mg and I still have some issues with my face and neck, but it is super minor in comparison."  She was offered to bump up to the 30mg prescription but she didn't want to test those waters. After having been on steroids for so long and being affected negatively, she is happy where she is at on this Rinvoq journey. No need to risk it!

"I actually have things to look forward to in life," she explains joyously. " I can come out of my shell again because I don't feel so self-conscious about my looks. I sleep better and I have more energy. I have more time! I used to have itching fits that lasted more than an hour a day." Her list of gratitude is endless.

Although still afraid of the risks, Shari decided she didn't want to risk losing out on life anymore. At 54 years of age, she knows that it's time to take back all that she lost. And she is LOVING it!

She shared with me about her little trip away, basking in the sun and the glory of everything she never dreamed possible. I'm so ecstatic for Shari and wish her the best!