Fumaderm and hormone injections

[jiml]

Been to see the Rheumatologist today inconclusive until results come back and I have an ultrasound scan


My early January blood results my kidney and liver functions are all within normal limits and my lymphocyte count has improved again to 1.45. ( normal between 1-3)

At the moment I am still following a regime with my Fumaderm where  I am now taking my  2 Fumaderm tablets morning and 2 tablets in the evening with meals Monday to Friday. Then giving my blood a rest Saturday and Sunday and resuming again on Monday 2 tablets morning and 2 evening.
I have been doing it for 5 weeks and I haven't noticed my psoriasis or my aches getting any worse

Met the rheumatologist today a Doctor Hamilton, she gave me a good examination and looked at my shoulders feet and hands and said she would reserve judgement until I had some extra tests so had X-rays today and booked an ultra sound, for later ...will have to wait for an appointment for that
She was happy with me staying on Fumaderm as my bloods were good and I'm tolerating it well.

I asked if it did turn out to be PsA could I try upping the dose of Fumaderm. it was decided not to make any decisions until the results were in, and made another appointment for July but said as there was room to increase the Fumaderm dose, it could be the first option

She did say it could be wear and tear and suggested as I wasn't in pain to get plenty of exercise and keep the joints moving

A couple of weeks ago I got a letter from the dermatologist who said that I had some wear and evidence of arthritis in my feet and fingers , and suggested I try methotrexate ....I have written to inform her that at our meeting I did say there was no way I would take the methotrexate ......I have been there and couldn't tolerate it and wasn't prepared to put poison in my body again


just got back from a meeting with the dermatologists " assistant " today  and he was reading through the letter the rheumatologist sent me .....he asked if we should do what the rheumatologist had suggested .....
What ...... I asked if anyone was listening to me ...and NO I am not going back onto methotrexate...he said where does that leave us, I said  why don't we try my suggestion and up my dose of Fumaderm and see if it works..( he scurries out to have a word with the boss the proper dermatologist) when he returns he waffles on about there not being evidence of it working on psoriatic arthritis ...... I said well there won't be if you pull the plug when it's suggested.....
I told him of the forum and people here on DMF treatments for PsA. But he was not prepared to raise my dose for fear of side effects...... I pointed out to him that I am having monthly blood tests and my levels are good and if I develop low blood count or increased creatinine we could reduce the dose as with Fumaderm all these effects are reversible........he wasn't listening ....his boss had told him one thing and he wasn't for shifting

I asked him where do we go from here? He said continue on my present dose till I see the rheumatologist in July or take methotrexate .....I said I would rather stick needles in my eyes... We agreed we weren't getting anywhere
So now I will wait for round 2 with the dermatologist in July
To be honest I came away after the appointment being 50 minutes late ...to then be put with someone who had no idea and had to keep slipping out to ask the consultant what to do left me more than annoyed.
And no further forward than I was when I wasted the best part of an afternoon