Fumaderm side effects - remedies?

[Fleurgiddy]

Hi Bill, thanks for the advice  . I'm taking all the suggestions on board, still getting severe side effects though. To be honest, if they could occur in the evening when it doesn't interfere with work I think I could tolerate it so much easier, but to wake with the cramps, sickness, nausea and this morning the addition of backache and diarrhea its all getting a bit too much. I start a new job on Wednesday and dont think I can take the risk. It's impossible for me to function when its all going on and its lasting up to an hour!.. I've still got 5 times the increase in dose to take  , its sure to get worse before it gets better...

I just don't know what to do 

[Caroline]

Hi Bill, thanks for the advice  . I'm taking all the suggestions on board, still getting severe side effects though. To be honest, if they could occur in the evening when it doesn't interfere with work I think I could tolerate it so much easier, but to wake with the cramps, sickness, nausea and this morning the addition of backache and diarrhea its all getting a bit too much. I start a new job on Wednesday and dont think I can take the risk. It's impossible for me to function when its all going on and its lasting up to an hour!.. I've still got 5 times the increase in dose to take  , its sure to get worse before it gets better...

I just don't know what to do 

Well Fleur,
I think there are at least two things to say for the moment.
1) Don't increase at this moment yet. Keep it as it is. Give the Fumaderm a bit of time to work, that is no problem, it sure may take a bit longer.
2) It may be, that you in the end can do with a lower dose. It is not sure that you will have to increase to the upper limit. It may start to work earlier, just like with Jim
3) You may want to change the moment of taking the Fumaderm. Apparently you take it with your evening meal, you might try another time of the day, e.g. with Lunch?

Cheers,
Caroline

[jiml]

Hi Fleurgiddy what a shame you are having these effects, have you read through the Fumaderm leaflet
  see here Fumaderm leaflet

It states in there all your side effects and suggests reducing the dose for a while until the side effects reduce before increasing again. The side effects will calm down I can assure you of that but it may take time. That's why I suggest cutting down to 1 tablet ( at present you are on 2 ? I think)
It lists bone pain as a rare side effect so I would contact your dermatologist on Monday and tell him you can also tell him what the manufacturers suggest and hope he agrees

All the side effects will cease and reverse themselves i.e blood levels will return to normal fairly quickly even the bone pain should stop if you reduce the dose .... Or worst case stop the treatment

Has there been any change in your skin yet? To give you hope and encouragement?

[Fleurgiddy]

Hi both, I really do appreciate your support and advice  .  I'm currently taking just one 120mg tab in the evening (as per the leaflet) and have considered taking it in the day instead of evening, so will do so. I'm due to increase on Wednesday but don't dare with new job day and having to drive 75 miles very early on that morning!

This is my fourth week on this drug and not seen any changes yet... Due to have my Bloods done next week and will talk to my derm nurse afterwards to get the results and advice on when to increase doses.

I want so desperately for this to work, I don't want to give up. Just read Cheryl75 journal and she has inspired me as she too suffered in the early stages and persevered with great results  .

Thanks for putting up with me guys, I'm feeling a little emotional about it today, its been a rough week, and feeling desperate for psoriasis relief is adding to my symptoms.

I'll keep you posted how I get on x

[jiml]

I'm sorry I thought you were on two tablets   not one
Yes a good idea will be to try taking it earlier even in the middle of the day as Caroline suggests, so your symptoms may pass while you sleep as the side effects tend to hit as the dmf is working in your intestines 6or 7 hours after you take them ... So taking them with your lunch at work shouldn't affect you until mid evening.

Yes Cheryl75  is a good one to read, it's useful to read even the bad experiences as well as the good

Don't worry about coming here with your concerns , we are happy to advise and give moral support on your journey
Jim

[Fleurgiddy]

Thanks Jim, wish I had found you friendly folk sooner, but better late than never! I'm going to make some lunch shortly and take today's dose then, fingers crossed it'll solve the morning unpleasantness!

Did you find as you increased your dose the side effects lessened or worsened as your body adapts?

[jiml]

Thanks Jim, wish I had found you friendly folk sooner, but better late than never! I'm going to make some lunch shortly and take today's dose then, fingers crossed it'll solve the morning unpleasantness!

Did you find as you increased your dose the side effects lessened or worsened as your body adapts?

For me they stayed pretty much the same once they hit me they were fairly consistent in strength slowly diminishing until the cramps ceased after a few months
But it was four years ago and unfortunately I wasn't on this forum when I started ... Oh how I wish I had been I had nowhere to turn for advice or support, and nowhere to chronicle my journey and 4 years is a long time to remember the finer details
But I do remember after the cramps started they intensified for a while then plateaued before decreasing after a couple of months,
but we are all different every experience I've read on here has been different Bassman bassman has sailed through easily, CCarr06 ccarr06 had a rough time with it as did loooby Lou Looby Lou who almost gave up but got clear in the end and is still clear ( personal communication)  but if you want to read any of their posts or threads there are links to them shown on their profile pages

[Bill]

Think of it this way: You are at a stage of treatment with Fumaderm where the objective is not to treat the disease, but to tolerate the side effects. If you can do this the side effects will diminish, allowing the dosage to be increased, and hopefully do something for your skin. As it may end up being a very safe and effective treatment for you it is worth a go.

If it doesn't work dont dwell on it. There are many good treatments available.

Best wishes,

Bill

[Fleurgiddy]

That's a good way of looking at it Bill, and quite right too! I'm really don't want to give up, and will tolerate the side effects as long as they don't interfere with my job  .

I've taken a look at some of those links Jim, it does appear that the side effects are very common with most people, which is always good to know, and I empathise with you not having had support when enduring the same, until now I've not really had any either, at least not from those who fully appreciate this disease and its impact on our lives. It makes such a huge difference to communicate with like minded people.

 I've taken today's dose, so now I'm going to enjoy the rest of the day with Xmas movies on TV. Weather is appauling here, perfect for doing as little as necessary .

And I'm fancying a little chocolate 

[jiml]

That's a good way of looking at it Bill, and quite right too! I'm really don't want to give up, and will tolerate the side effects as long as they don't interfere with my job  .

I've taken a look at some of those links Jim, it does appear that the side effects are very common with most people, which is always good to know, and I empathise with you not having had support when enduring the same, until now I've not really had any either, at least not from those who fully appreciate this disease and its impact on our lives. It makes such a huge difference to communicate with like minded people.

 I've taken today's dose, so now I'm going to enjoy the rest of the day with Xmas movies on TV. Weather is appauling here, perfect for doing as little as necessary .

And I'm fancying a little chocolate 

Yes the weather here is lousy as well , it's a great idea a Christmas movie and chocolates

Keep returning we never tire of helping, I know how important it is to get support, I have had plenty here since I joined ...

You have now done 10 posts and you can look at some of the journals now Ccar has one and I have one , there are others there who are not on Fumaderm for you to read [Group Specific]