Acitrecin - week 1

[Kat]

Grats Kelly! Such great news!!

Have you been back to the doc yet to see if you can reduce your dosage or how that works with Acitretin?

[kh924]

He wants me to stay on current dosage Kat. I'm fine with that

[jiml]

He wants me to stay on current dosage Kat. I'm fine with that

Not a bad idea staying on a dose that's working for you
Well we've seen how clear you are getting, Kelly and that's great I was wondering are you having any side effects? You mentioned in earlier post little to none side effects. Is it still the same?

[kh924]

No side effects whatsoever, Jim

[jiml]

No side effects whatsoever, Jim

That's great news for you and it will give others on acetretin hope
Hope it keeps on working for you and if you are lucky enough to come off it at some stage let's hope it's another **years before it ever bothers you again
Jim

[kh924]

Hi folks. Wanted to give you an update on my progress since starting Acitretin some 7 mos ago. I remain clear with the occasional stray spot or two here and there, but the spots are no bigger than the size of an eraser head and if I get one or two a month that's it. My doctor has reduced my dosage from 25 mg a day to 20 mg a day (about a month ago). I've had no problems with my cholesterol and no side effects to speak of after adjusting to initially being on this medication. It's been phenomenal being flake free, having a clear scalp, clear legs clear torso clear arms and even the white spots are beginning to fade. I'm confident that I will be able to wear shorts sleeves again come spring and summer.

Looking back, I am very glad I made the decision to stop topical steroids as I do think they were making the condition worse. I haven't used any topical creams of any kind steroid or other wise since I stopped using topicals a few months ago. As for my diet, I pretty much eat everything and anything I want. I don't restrict my consumption of alcohol and I can't say that I see flares after eating any particular food. The medication is doing it's job. I realize that I will probably be on this medication for the rest of my life but given my side effects were very minimal and I've had good, albeit, slow progress there's no reason for me to stop.

Psoriasis really did a number on me mentally and emotionally in terms of my self-worth given that I had it extensively including on my face. It is hard for me to even imagine going back to having the coverage I had and being as uncomfortable as I was constantly. The flakes are just a memory. the burning raised patches that covered my entire torso are just a memory. Spending hours scratching peeling bleeding digging out my scalp, I'll just a memory. Seems like it was someone else's life and not mine.

Would love to hear from others on this medication Long term. Kat, how's it going for you?

[Kat]

Hi Kelly! So glad to hear things are still going well for you.

I stopped the UV treatments and went off meds for about a month (new year, new deductibles, lots of other expenses and I was just fed up giving people money). I actually did pretty well (started noticing a few bumps here and there but no out right scaling) but know I was playing with fire so went back on the Acitretin. I'm taking it 3x week and it's doing it's job so no complaints. It definitely has improved my self esteem, as you say, no more itching and scratching. I'm also able to wear dark colors again!! No more shoulders white from the scaling.

[kh924]

That's awesome Kat, I'm very happy for you. I won't play with fire. Since I'm still getting an occasional spot or two I know this beast is just laying silent waiting to erupt if I give it the chance!!

[Fred]

Thank you for updating Kelly, your input will be helping others.

Nice to hear you're getting a good result and claiming your life back from psoriasis, long may it continue.

[Kat]

That's awesome Kat, I'm very happy for you. I won't play with fire. Since I'm still getting an occasional spot or two I know this beast is just laying silent waiting to erupt if I give it the chance!!

I am one that always remembers to take my medicine when sick, but also one who tends to quit when not sick (antibiotics are the worst for me, I take them and then when I feel better, I tend to forget to finish them off as they doctors tell you to do.) The first of the year has hit us a tad hard with medical already and I hate to have to spend what I am on medications, but you do what you have to do so I'll be putting the Acitretin at the top of the list when it's time for refills. I sure don't want to go back!

It's always good to read updates like this as for me it acts as a reminder not to fall off the wagon (so to speak!)