End of my tether

[jiml]

Hi everyone,
Although I have not posted on the main thread for some time, I have kept in touch with Jim, who bless him  hung in even when I was extremely low.
Anyway over the last six months I have been attending the hospital every week at first 5 days a week and then down to three. I had refused admission to hospital. I was receiving tar treatment which was fantastic, I have to say. I was practically clear when they gave me dovabet to clear the last bits. Unfortunately I reacted to the dovabet and it triggered the psoriasis again. It came back so quickly it was unreal! Worse it made me super sensitive to the tar! So consultant said that my psoriasis is really aggressive and explained that with each flare I was actually becoming quite unwell with it. I had swollen joints, temperature, fatigue, back pain worsened etc.. She finally persuaded me to try one of their drugs.
I have to say, that the consultant and nurses have been amazing and extremely patient with me. They took on board how I felt about the drugs and my fears of side effects. So she came up with Acitretin, which as you all know still has side effects but not malignant ones. D
I started on this 4 days ago and so far no side effects! In fact although I am aware it should not work quickly, I got up this morning and it appears flatter, so much so that even my husband commented on it! The scale is nowhere near as thick, my itch has reduced and so I am feeling better already. I have had 2 full 6 hours of sleep, which is incredible as I usually have around 4 and that was broken. Long may it continue.
So I'll keep in touch and let you all know how it goes.
Sandra

This is really good to read and I thank you for making your experience public as Fred always says it may help someone else in similar circumstances, you have really put yourself through the mill , but I'm glad you have relented and gone down the route of conventional treatment ( acetretin) and it is showing signs of working so soon, be prepared though for the chance that the changes may slow down, but don't be downhearted if that should happen. It is a slow working treatment, but if it works and it looks as if it may, it should be a long lasting clearance..
Do keep us updated as good news like this is very cheering in the morning
Jim