Reducing Acitretin Medication - Thoughts?

[JohnB]

Hi Woolley
I really don't want to be the fly in the ointment but from my experience, once I had to stop Acitretin due to my liver complaining it took next to no time for my P to come back and continue to get worse with a vengance.
Eventually I was offered MTX. Like you I really really didn't want to go on it, but I have. Now I do like the odd gargle and it was a proper dampener giving up but the MTX does seem to be doing something and I have not had any side effects. Which is more than I could say for the Acitretin. My advice is don't dismiss it out of hand, it may just do the job. I just hope your your Ps keeps away for a long time. Nice shiney hands by the way   .

Hi John....

I do get what you are saying for sure - but I guess it is just weighing up, standard of life and giving up something that you enjoy doing versus controlling psoriasis..... I thought that MTX had a potentially adverse effect on your liver anyway so why go from Acitretin (which was causing Liver problems) to MTX which potentially is going to do the same..... I think that's the bit I don't get?  Not with you by the way just in general....  It was touched on earlier too - how would I know if I am taking too much, dosage wise, of Acitretin and a smaller dosage would still be able to control it with less side effects and reduce the potential of having liver problems and other side effects of the drug.  I guess I will cross that bridge when it comes up with regards to the next step should my psoriasis return......such a minefield though.  It will be interesting to see what the Derm's view is on reducing the medication.

Lol - thanks re shiney hands, I purposely gave them a good polish ready for the camera 

No the liver bit had me a bit stumped as well. I did query the logic at the time but my Dermy assured me my liver had returned to 'normal' and they would be keeping a very close eye on things.

My feeling is if you are controlling your Ps on a low dose then the Dermy is likely to continue as is. If it aint broke, don't fix it. 

Anyways I have shares in Diageo and can't afford for you to stop your quest in reducing the Gin lake 

Well I am glad your liver is ok on MTX!  Yes hoping my Dermy will advice when I see him later in March......

Oh blimey John Diageo share prices would plummet if I gave up gin    I can't do that to people now can I???  Besides which I am hoping that they will fund my retirement ya know and you know you only get out what you put in 

Well it's still early days on MTX. I have every confidence my liver will complain. I'm already waking in the night gagging from acid reflux and I have had that nicely under control for over 20 years.

Phew   I'll stick hold of my shares