Fumaderm advice wanted

[jiml]

Hi everyone!

Hope you're all doing well!  

Sorry it's been a while since my last post...its been a pretty busy few weeks but I'm looking for some Fumaderm advice....

I'be been continuing with my 720mg dose and saw my consultant on Tuesday (who said I can start to reduce my dose now woop!)! However I had new bloods taken at the same time and although my lymphocytes are stable at 0.6, my total WBC has dropped from 4.5 to 1.7! My consultant called me and sounded a bit concerned, asking if I'd been unwell (which I haven't).

I'm getting them repeated right now but am off to Japan on Monday for a week and a half and I'm panicking I won't get my results before then.

How low is 1.7? Do you think this is risky?

Thanks heaps
Kath

Quite a  discussion concerning your question, Kath
I don't know what wbc means. So I cannot give you any advice on that.
Still it makes sense to go back into a lower number of pills. Certainly if it is working right now.

It's white blood cell count and should be between 4-10 on your sheet leutocyken I think ....you are 3.6

[Fred]

Hi everyone!

Hope you're all doing well!  

Sorry it's been a while since my last post...its been a pretty busy few weeks but I'm looking for some Fumaderm advice....

I'be been continuing with my 720mg dose and saw my consultant on Tuesday (who said I can start to reduce my dose now woop!)! However I had new bloods taken at the same time and although my lymphocytes are stable at 0.6, my total WBC has dropped from 4.5 to 1.7! My consultant called me and sounded a bit concerned, asking if I'd been unwell (which I haven't).

I'm getting them repeated right now but am off to Japan on Monday for a week and a half and I'm panicking I won't get my results before then.

How low is 1.7? Do you think this is risky?

Thanks heaps
Kath

Quite a  discussion concerning your question, Kath
I don't know what wbc means. So I cannot give you any advice on that.
Still it makes sense to go back into a lower number of pills. Certainly if it is working right now.

It's white blood cell count and should be between 4-10 on your sheet leutocyken I think ....you are 3.6

Yep looks like that to me too.

[Kato]

Hi everyone!

Hope you're all doing well!  

Sorry it's been a while since my last post...its been a pretty busy few weeks but I'm looking for some Fumaderm advice....

I'be been continuing with my 720mg dose and saw my consultant on Tuesday (who said I can start to reduce my dose now woop!)! However I had new bloods taken at the same time and although my lymphocytes are stable at 0.6, my total WBC has dropped from 4.5 to 1.7! My consultant called me and sounded a bit concerned, asking if I'd been unwell (which I haven't).

I'm getting them repeated right now but am off to Japan on Monday for a week and a half and I'm panicking I won't get my results before then.

How low is 1.7? Do you think this is risky?

Thanks heaps
Kath

Quite a  discussion concerning your question, Kath
I don't know what wbc means. So I cannot give you any advice on that.
Still it makes sense to go back into a lower number of pills. Certainly if it is working right now.

Thanks everyone for the responses!

Jim - I'm only in Japan for a week and a half so it's not the end of the world but I think I just want some peace of mind before I go so I don't spend the whole trip worrying to be honest!

Caroline - WBC is total white blood cell count. I'm much more concerned about this this my lymphocyte levels as they've been stable for a while now.

[jiml]

If it were me Kath. I would ask for the new blood results and if the level hasn't raised a bit I would be inclined to follow the advice of the manufacturers and stop taking them while you are away, and have another blood test when you come back 1.7 is very low . This is just my opinion and if you look at the fumaderm leaflet the advise on there is to stop .... You are now going to be flying on a long haul flight and breathing everyone else's air and with low wbc you are more vulnerable to an opportunistic infection striking you ... I'm not trying to frighten you just telling what I would be doing
the very least you should do is half your dose . Again I'm not a doctor but it's my opinion stopping it for a week and a half is not the end of the world and you can pick up on a lower dose when you return

[Fred]

On a side note to what Jim has just said "stopping it for a week and a half is not the end of the world" I would advise anyone who has any concerns to stop their treatment as you can always start again, the exception being Dovobet one should never just stop but you should slowly wean yourself off it. Most treatments today will be fine if you stop a for a couple of weeks, longer than that I would ask professional advise.

But also like Jim said I'm not a doctor and it's just my opinion, but I would say if it's bothering you then you should stop and enjoy your time in Japan. You can start again when you get back, enjoy your time there and chill it will do you good (chilling is much better than any medication) Use plenty of Coconut Oil to keep well moisturised you will be fine for a couple of weeks.

[Kato]

If it were me Kath. I would ask for the new blood results and if the level hasn't raised a bit I would be inclined to follow the advice of the manufacturers and stop taking them while you are away, and have another blood test when you come back 1.7 is very low . This is just my opinion and if you look at the fumaderm leaflet the advise on there is to stop .... You are now going to be flying on a long haul flight and breathing everyone else's air and with low wbc you are more vulnerable to an opportunistic infection striking you ... I'm not trying to frighten you just telling what I would be doing
the very least you should do is half your dose . Again I'm not a doctor but it's my opinion stopping it for a week and a half is not the end of the world and you can pick up on a lower dose when you return

Thanks Jim!
You have voiced my concerns exactly....I always get sick after long haul flights so the idea of coming down with something, especially whilst I'm away is a bit of a worry....and I always seem to get sat next to the one I'll person who doesn't cover their mouth when they sneeze haha!
I think I'll try to get an emergency appt with my Derm on Friday to discuss today's results (i am extremely fortunate in that my Derm also happens to locum at my GP surgery two days a week).

Thanks so much everyone, it's so reassuring to have such a lovely bunch of people around on here

[jiml]

If it were me Kath. I would ask for the new blood results and if the level hasn't raised a bit I would be inclined to follow the advice of the manufacturers and stop taking them while you are away, and have another blood test when you come back 1.7 is very low . This is just my opinion and if you look at the fumaderm leaflet the advise on there is to stop .... You are now going to be flying on a long haul flight and breathing everyone else's air and with low wbc you are more vulnerable to an opportunistic infection striking you ... I'm not trying to frighten you just telling what I would be doing
the very least you should do is half your dose . Again I'm not a doctor but it's my opinion stopping it for a week and a half is not the end of the world and you can pick up on a lower dose when you return

Thanks Jim!
You have voiced my concerns exactly....I always get sick after long haul flights so the idea of coming down with something, especially whilst I'm away is a bit of a worry....and I always seem to get sat next to the one I'll person who doesn't cover their mouth when they sneeze haha!
I think I'll try to get an emergency appt with my Derm on Friday to discuss today's results (i am extremely fortunate in that my Derm also happens to locum at my GP surgery two days a week).

Thanks so much everyone, it's so reassuring to have such a lovely bunch of people around on here  

You are welcome I could not advise anything differently if I were giving myself the advice
I hope your results are good and you can continue but if not .... Err on the side of caution

[Cathy1815]

Hi Jim and everyone.

Tried to message you Jim directly but the computer wouldn't let me. Hope you are well.

Onto 4 tablets now but getting some nasty side effects. Stomach cramps and diarrhoea mainly. However, no stomach cramps today as of yet.
SKin not clearing as quickly as I had hoped. Does it suddenly clear or is it a gradual process and when did you notice a difference. I am beginning to
think it will never clear. Some days it looks better and others it doesn't.

Cathy xx

[Caroline]

Hi Jim and everyone.

Tried to message you Jim directly but the computer wouldn't let me. Hope you are well.

Onto 4 tablets now but getting some nasty side effects. Stomach cramps and diarrhoea mainly. However, no stomach cramps today as of yet.
SKin not clearing as quickly as I had hoped. Does it suddenly clear or is it a gradual process and when did you notice a difference. I am beginning to
think it will never clear. Some days it looks better and others it doesn't.

Cathy xx

Cathy, the effect is gradually. At a certain point you will remark that there is a change. This will take some time, while the change is taking place you can perhaps slower build up, or keep it steady. Then just keep it steady for some months and gradually the psoriasis will become lesser.

Caroline

[Fred]

Tried to message you Jim directly but the computer wouldn't let me. Hope you are well.

Hello Cathy that could be because you had not made 5 posts at the time, but as you have now made 8 you should be able to send PMs. Please try again and let me know if it's still not working and I will look into it for you.

Fred.