Just back from dermatologist...

[mayahandizzysmum]

I just got back from a dermatology appointment and I'm a bit disappointed to be honest.

I've been using Ciclosporin without a great deal of success as well as dovobet (and epaderm) so was desperate to try fumaderm which has been so highly regarded by so many in this group but my Dr was massively apologetic and said he just couldn't prescribe it (he's obviously been told he mustn't) so I ended up with MTX.

Now I'm just praying my liver can take it and my skin only needs a low dose. I'm also a bit worried as I can no longer take Naproxen as well as Codydramol (for joint pain not PSA) and have to up my dose of Codydramol but I am allergic to Codeine so don't want to take any more as it makes my whole body itch unbearably. So my options are...

1. Take a chemotherapy drug and risk going insane through itching.
2. Take a chemotherapy drug and never leave the house cos I'm in agony.
3. Don't take a chemotherapy drug and hide at home without pain or itching but with horrible flakey skin.

Hmmm...decisions decisions lol.

I'm gonna go with secret option 4.Stop over thinking it, hope for the best and eat chocolate.

Anyway just thought I'd catch you up cos you've all been so nice to me xxx

[Fred]

Option #5 Take methotrexate and report back that the side effects are just to much for you to handle, they will have to offer something else.  

Option #6 It's your body they are playing with, and at the end of the day it's your choice. If you don't want to take methotrexate tell them to stick it, again they will have to offer you something else.

[Quest4Cure]

Option #5 Take methotrexate and report back that the side effects are just to much for you to handle, they will have to offer something else.  

Option #6 It's your body they are playing with, and at the end of the day it's your choice. If you don't want to take methotrexate tell them to stick it, again they will have to offer you something else.

Very good advice from Fred. I agree.

[mayahandizzysmum]

Option #5 Take methotrexate and report back that the side effects are just to much for you to handle, they will have to offer something else.  

Option #6 It's your body they are playing with, and at the end of the day it's your choice. If you don't want to take methotrexate tell them to stick it, again they will have to offer you something else.

You're right Fred. Thank you xxx

[Fred]

Option #5 Take methotrexate and report back that the side effects are just to much for you to handle, they will have to offer something else.  

Option #6 It's your body they are playing with, and at the end of the day it's your choice. If you don't want to take methotrexate tell them to stick it, again they will have to offer you something else.

You're right Fred. Thank you xxx

The side effects are not difficult to get with methotrexate and I'm 99.9% sure you will get some, but if you read up on some of common ones here Methotrexate it wont be difficult for you to lay it on a bit after a month and then they will have to move you if you cant handle it.

That's just my opinion and I would never normally tell anyone to do the above, but with methotrexate it should be banned in my opinion for treating psoriasis patients. Some will say methotrexate is good, but like I say it's your choice.

[Caroline]

Option #5 Take methotrexate and report back that the side effects are just to much for you to handle, they will have to offer something else.  

Option #6 It's your body they are playing with, and at the end of the day it's your choice. If you don't want to take methotrexate tell them to stick it, again they will have to offer you something else.

You're right Fred. Thank you xxx

I agree totally with Fred. It's your body they may destroy. Try to get off MTX as soon as possible.
Go back after a week and tell them you became sick as hell.

Fumaderm is absolutely the better option. Your dermatologist can read that everywhere on the Internet and in the guideline. It's only the insurance pushing you through this and they don't know a thing.

We will stand behind you if you need more information or whatever.

Caroline

[mayahandizzysmum]

Option #5 Take methotrexate and report back that the side effects are just to much for you to handle, they will have to offer something else.  

Option #6 It's your body they are playing with, and at the end of the day it's your choice. If you don't want to take methotrexate tell them to stick it, again they will have to offer you something else.

You're right Fred. Thank you xxx

I agree totally with Fred. It's your body they may destroy. Try to get off MTX as soon as possible.
Go back after a week and tell them you became sick as hell.

Fumaderm is absolutely the better option. Your dermatologist can read that everywhere on the Internet and in the guideline. It's only the insurance pushing you through this and they don't know a thing.  

We will stand behind you if you need more information or whatever.

Caroline

After taking my first dose today I do feel pretty crappy and actually ran into someone else who uses it for RA. She agreed it's horrible stuff.

It's so sad that the NHS is still totally driven by accountants rather than by doctors :-( xxx

[jiml]

It's not nice stuff I agree but it may well work , I tried it for a while and it cleared my skin but I told the dermatologist I couldn't hack it so they put me on Fumaderm
Give it a chance and if you do feel rubbish tell them it's worse than it is  and get changed ... Unfortunately they have their protocol to follow
If it's working and you can tolerate it it should clear your skin.
But arm yourself with as much information as you can from here and phone the hospital if you aren't feeling good and ask for something else like Fumaderm

[mayahandizzysmum]

My biggest problem was the language barrier. The doctor was (I'm guessing) Eastern European and struggled a little to communicate. I emphasised as strongly as I could I wanted Fumaderm and I understood clearly that his hands were tied but it was impossible to figure out why. I assume from what I could understand that he had been told not to prescribe it but I'm far from sure xxx

[jiml]

My biggest problem was the language barrier. The doctor was (I'm guessing) Eastern European and struggled a little to communicate. I emphasised as strongly as I could I wanted Fumaderm and I understood clearly that his hands were tied but it was impossible to figure out why. I assume from what I could understand that he had been told not to prescribe it but I'm far from sure xxx

Shame perhaps if you can't get on with methotrexate ( because it makes you badly sick   ) you can speak to the hospital and ask for a change and tell them you would prefer a dermatologist with a grasp on the English language