Newly diagnosed and about to start Acitretin

[Fred]

 I am going to give Acitretin a chance and get some (carefully controlled) sun and relax. Then I will think about what else I can do.

Good decision.

It's all new to me and I don't know what to expect. I have started a diary to note everything down. 

As a member with enough posts you can also have a thread here [Group Specific] if you want to keep some notes. It's not private but only seen by members with 10 posts or more, and some members find it useful.

I realise there's no cure but I want to believe my psoriasis will clear at least from my face and forearms so I can feel less self conscious.

[jiml]

Hi KP  it seems as if you didn't get good advice from your dermatologist, it must have been deflating to hear that he didn't think you could get clearance ....it's not true.....it's true it's not cureable but it should be possible to find a drug to get you clear there are many alternatives you could be offered.

Do not accept that you can't get clear,  I'm sure you can. Read plenty here in prescribed treatment section Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis and also read other members threads you will find most get a level of clearance they are happy with ....it is a condition for life ...but there are so many advances in medication that I'm surprised that a dermatologist gave you such a negative vibe ...

[Wooley]

Well I don’t have experience myself with Acetretin, but to me it seems quite a heavy medication. There is quite a traject you have to go through.
But if you think this might not be the stuff for you, then you should think of going on to the next medication. In that sense I think of the fumarates, which have a bit lower (a bit... there are side effects but I think better to go through) impact, but also have a high success rate. (70%)
There are two possibilities for that Fumaderm and Skilarence, and I would advise the last one.

After that you will have to go through to the biologicals, but that may be a much later stage.

P.s. avoid MTX.

Thank you. I just spoke to the dermatologist who mentioned starting methotrexate but he will see me on Wednesday to discuss. I will talk to him about fumarates but he seem so focused on Acitretin and methotrexate.

Hey my derm keeps going on about Methotrexate and I keep saying 1. I don't need any alternative medication yet and 2. I don't want Methotrexate either, if it gets to that stage where I needed a different medication!!  Agree with Caroline, my Derm said that that is the next one but I have still said I don't want it!!  We shall see I guess, if/when the time comes, but I don't want to take MXT ideally and I personally will be pushing for something else instead....

[Kentpatient]

 I am going to give Acitretin a chance and get some (carefully controlled) sun and relax. Then I will think about what else I can do.

Good decision.

It's all new to me and I don't know what to expect. I have started a diary to note everything down. 

As a member with enough posts you can also have a thread here [Group Specific] if you want to keep some notes. It's not private but only seen by members with 10 posts or more, and some members find it useful.

I realise there's no cure but I want to believe my psoriasis will clear at least from my face and forearms so I can feel less self conscious.

Thank you Fred I will look at the journals. Grizzly Bear and others advised me to keep a diary so I could do that in a journal.

[Kentpatient]

Hi KP  it seems as if you didn't get good advice from your dermatologist, it must have been deflating to hear that he didn't think you could get clearance ....it's not true.....it's true it's not cureable but it should be possible to find a drug to get you clear there are many alternatives you could be offered.

Do not accept that you can't get clear,  I'm sure you can. Read plenty here in prescribed treatment section Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis and also read other members threads you will find most get a level of clearance they are happy with ....it is a condition for life ...but there are so many advances in medication that I'm surprised that a dermatologist gave you such a negative vibe ...

Thank you. I was surprised too as he's been very positive before but I think maybe it had spread so much he thought he should manage my expectations. My face is better than it was but niwhere near what I would feel happy with...it's now sunburnt look instead of actual burns look and a lot of the swelling has reduced. But I can't accept it will stay like this so I will keep asking

[Kentpatient]

Can I ask all you wise people something else....
I have psoriasis now in my ears and it sounds as if I'm living underwater. My GP gave me steroid ear drops. In my right ear today I have ear ache and it feels sore and I'm even more deaf...is there anything else I can do? I go away on Tuesday and I'm worried the flight will make it worse
Thank you as always

[jiml]

I can’t help with the ear problem sadly KP, I hope someone here can help

It’s a good idea to start a journal to record your experience you will find it helpful to look back on

I wish you good luck and have  a great holiday

[Fred]

Can I ask all you wise people something else....
I have psoriasis now in my ears and it sounds as if I'm living underwater. My GP gave me steroid ear drops. In my right ear today I have ear ache and it feels sore and I'm even more deaf...is there anything else I can do? I go away on Tuesday and I'm worried the flight will make it worse
Thank you as always

You could try Coconut oil two or three times a day. Rub plenty in your ear with your little finger, don't use cotton buds.

[Kentpatient]

Can I ask all you wise people something else....
I have psoriasis now in my ears and it sounds as if I'm living underwater. My GP gave me steroid ear drops. In my right ear today I have ear ache and it feels sore and I'm even more deaf...is there anything else I can do? I go away on Tuesday and I'm worried the flight will make it worse
Thank you as always

You could try Coconut oil two or three times a day. Rub plenty in your ear with your little finger, don't use cotton buds.  

Will give that a go starting tonight thanks 

[JohnB]

Can I ask all you wise people something else....
I have psoriasis now in my ears and it sounds as if I'm living underwater. My GP gave me steroid ear drops. In my right ear today I have ear ache and it feels sore and I'm even more deaf...is there anything else I can do? I go away on Tuesday and I'm worried the flight will make it worse
Thank you as always

Hi KP
Did your GP check in your ears? On Acitretin I suffer from excess wax production and this can give a similar sensation.

As for your Dermy visit I can't be too hard on him with the dosing. With Acitretin it is a black art it is very much a guess based on your weight. You are right at this stage to keep with it. As Fumaderm isn't licenced it doesn't surprise me he has little experience with it but with Skilarence now available, he should be aware of it and be as willing to try it as you are. I would like to try it, but because of a previous medical issues my  Dermy is dead against me trying anything but the acitretin. I am not expecting full clearance. I am happy with just a lot less and no itching.