Acitretin journey!

[Fred]

That is a shame Fingers. But don't let it get you down, there are plenty of other things to try today.

It can take time to find something that works and unfortunately with psoriasis there is no one suits all treatment, also some find a treatment works well and then just stops working. It's one of the things we just have to live with, but when you do find something that works (and you will) life gets good again.

Good luck with your dermatology appointment.

[Bill]

Good luck with the next treatment, Fingers. No point in wasting your time with stuff that does not work, and you seem to have given it every chance to prove its efficacy. It is great to have something that works, but a wonder drug for some can be complete rubbish for others. Keep sharing your experiences. It makes this forum a great asset for us poor afflicted buggers.

Cheers,

Bill

[CCAZ]

So sorry, fingers.  I'm lucky it helped my palmoplantar.  I, too, have decided to stop taking Acitretin because the itching and redness were driving me nuts.  It's been six days and the rash is fading (I thought it was new spots but it wasn't) and the itching is soooo much better.  I hope the hands and feet stay clear.

For others that may take this med - I mentioned that it cleared my brother.  He then came off it and generally stays clear.  If he notices the beginning of a flare he starts taking it again for a short time.  I'm hoping that might work for me as I would prefer not to go the biologic route if I don't have to.

Here's to finding what works!

It worked for me much like your brother.  I cleared up and no longer take it, although I do still have some stubborn spots that won't totally go away.

Thanks for that, Kat. Glad this treatment works for you!

[mataribot]

Hopefully you find something that works soon! After reading you have been on cyclo, kind of wondered why you why they put you on soritane or however it is spelled.

[fingers]

Thanks for all the encouraging words guys!!!......I never took the tablets today and it seem to be itching a lot less already!!!! I will let you know what they say on Thursday! I will push for biologicals or fumaderm!!!!!

@ Mataribot! Cyclosporin worked really well for me! but they would only let me take it for one year! they said that I have to faill on three conventional drugs before the try biologicals!!!!

[fingers]

Well folks!...I may need to change the title of this thread to Acitretin/ Fumaderm journey!!.... I met a new very nice lady dermatologist who has put me onto Fumaderm!! She explained all the pros and cons! and wants to leave biologicals until all avenues have been tried!!....I have asked to see her on future appointments instead of a different dermatologist very visit!!! she even said she would phone me with all my blood results good or bad!!!...never happened before!!... So fingers crossed this one will work for me!!!

[jiml]

Good news Fingers I hope Fumaderm will work for you, it has certainly been the best drug for me. I have been virtually clear for 4 years on it, you may find it difficult to start with.

If you have any problems or questions feel free to ask, there are several of us on Fumaderm here now and enjoying success with it

You may want to start a new Fumaderm thread

[fingers]

Good news Fingers I hope Fumaderm will work for you, it has certainly been the best drug for me. I have been virtually clear for 4 years on it, you may find it difficult to start with.

If you have any problems or questions feel free to ask, there are several of us on Fumaderm here now and enjoying success with it

You may want to start a new Fumaderm thread

Thanks Jim!! One thing! do you take it continuesly or stop and start!!....I got the impression she would only put me on it short term until/if it cleared me?

[jiml]

Good news Fingers I hope Fumaderm will work for you, it has certainly been the best drug for me. I have been virtually clear for 4 years on it, you may find it difficult to start with.

If you have any problems or questions feel free to ask, there are several of us on Fumaderm here now and enjoying success with it

You may want to start a new Fumaderm thread

Thanks Jim!! One thing!  do you take it continuesly or stop and start!!....I got the impression she would only put me on it short term until/if it cleared me?

You should be put on it long term, the idea is to get to a level where Fumaderm clears your skin. Gradually increasing the dose to the maximum dose of Six tablets a day. Then after a period of stability, start reducing to a lower dose which still keeps working.
But I wouldn't stop, and when you get clear that will be the time to tell the dermatologist you want to stay on a reduced dose .. Keep dropping the dose slowly over a few months ( in my opinion) if you can reduce to zero without it coming back, great but I doubt you will manage without some Fumaderm in your system.
( we have mateychuck on here who takes one a day as a maintenance dose and it still works for him )
I reduced to 3 a day and psoriasis started coming back so I upped to 4  a day which keeps me virtually clear.

As long as your bloods are good there is no reason to stop, if you lymphocytes drop out of the normal range dropping the dose is usually enough to bring them back up again

[jiml]

See William Mateychucks words here Fumaderm continued success