Psoriasis

Chattastrophe!

Must try that, never heard of it. It'll be used on the baby anyways even if it doesn't work for me!!

Mountainsandh

rubadub wrote: »

Boots had big tubs of silcocks base and all sorts of other big tubs of various creams fairly cheap. I know regular chemists can have these out the back but I prefer to be able to browse and check prices without having to ask, also you can compare stuff side by side

I'm the same, and I find that often, I know better than the chemists themselves what the ingredients are in the tubs and tubes, and what exactly I fancy trying that time. We've all become experts in ointments and emulsions over time I guess
The epaderm large pump bottle is great, 15 or 20e in boots, but lasts ages, using it for son's eczema too, it absorbs well and feels light and fresh.

dobbs2210

Anybody use the Dovobet gel and had any particular good results in reducing the Psoriasis?
How often per day is it used on the area?

Gael23

dobbs2210 wrote: »

Anybody use the Dovobet gel and had any particular good results in reducing the Psoriasis?
How often per day is it used on the area?

I asked a pharmacist about it a while ago and she said it may dry out the skin more but never used it myself, I always use the ointment.
I should really ask a Doctor about it because I can see it being much easier to use.

brevity

Tried the gel and found it rubbish. The ointment, when used sparingly, is quite good.

Amazingfun

I just read an article by a woman who experienced amazing results with this treatment:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/howard-chang-the-itch-to-beat-psoriasis/trapped-by-her-skin/

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/psoriasis-treatment-management/biologics-questions-to-ask-your-doctor.aspx

Talking to Your Doctor About Biologics

“Biologics are made of biological materials such as proteins, and are created by living cells using normal biologic processes rather than by chemical reactions in a test tube,” says Delphine J. Lee, MD, PhD, a dermatologist and director of translational immunology at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Biologics work by targeting certain parts of the immune system and can be used alone or in conjunction with other psoriasis treatments.

huskerdu

Amazingfun wrote: »

I just read an article by a woman who experienced amazing results with this treatment:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/howard-chang-the-itch-to-beat-psoriasis/trapped-by-her-skin/

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/psoriasis-treatment-management/biologics-questions-to-ask-your-doctor.aspx

I am on a biologics treatment for psoratic artritis and it seems to be working.
However, the article you link to sounds like an ad. The risks and list of potential side affects is no joke. I had to be screened for TB before taking it.

A more balanced view can be found here

http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/human/medicines/000481/human_med_000822.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058001d124

Its also about €1000 a month. My drug is covered under the DPS for arthritis. I don't know about Humira for psoriasis. I assume it is.

Gael23

brevity wrote: »

Tried the gel and found it rubbish. The ointment, when used sparingly, is quite good.

Been using the ointment for a long time and its the only thing that truly works, apart from UV light. A little goes a very long way, less is more is the approach should be used. I usually apply it twice a week when I'm under control but not doing so well at the moment so am using a bit more than normal.
Im not really in a position to undertake a course of UV therapy because I'm away from home quite a bit and it needs to be done a few times a week

Gael23

Does anyone know if Dovobet loses its effectiveness if the tube has been open for a while?
Im can only get 120g tubes so they last me for ages but I'm now having a flare up which I find difficult to get back down and I'm wondering is that the reason.

Gerard93

ryanf1 wrote: »

Does anyone know if Dovobet loses its effectiveness if the tube has been open for a while?
Im can only get 120g tubes so they last me for ages but I'm now having a flare up which I find difficult to get back down and I'm wondering is that the reason.

Have a 60g tube seems to be as effective as when I first got it luckly I don.t use much of it small patches on elbows still find impossible to clear completely
Dovobet does help though

Gerard93

ryanf1 wrote: »

Does anyone know if Dovobet loses its effectiveness if the tube has been open for a while?
Im can only get 120g tubes so they last me for ages but I'm now having a flare up which I find difficult to get back down and I'm wondering is that the reason.

Have a 60g seems to be as effective as when I first got it luckly I don.t use much of it small patches on elbows still find impossible to clear completely
Dovobet does help though

Gael23

Gerard93 wrote: »

Have a 60g seems to be as effective as when I first got it luckly I don.t use much of it small patches on elbows still find impossible to clear completely
Dovobet does help though

You must have it a while because they haven't been selling those tubes for a good while now.
To me Dovobet is an essential tool in the treatment of Psoroasis. My treatment plan involves using it twice weekly even when it's good, then daily when it isn't.
Joints seem to be a typical area for plaques to develop.
You will never clear it 100% but if you use it daily for 5-7 days that will get it considerably down. After that use it twice a week to keep it that way. That's what I was told to do and it works a treat.

on_my_oe

huskerdu wrote: »

I am on a biologics treatment for psoratic artritis and it seems to be working.
However, the article you link to sounds like an ad. The risks and list of potential side affects is no joke. I had to be screened for TB before taking it.

A more balanced view can be found here

http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/human/medicines/000481/human_med_000822.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058001d124

Its also about €1000 a month. My drug is covered under the DPS for arthritis. I don't know about Humira for psoriasis. I assume it is.

Enbrel and Humira are frequently advertised in US magazines - Phil Mickleson the golfer is a spokesperson for Enbrel. If you are wondering past an Easons, leaf through a People or US magazine (celeb gossip); the ads are usually three pages with a lot of small print on side effects etc

Gael23

My new GP thinks that its safe to continue using the Protopic as I have been doing for the past year or so and theres no real need to see a Dermatologist but I think I might be happier to do that due to the risks with it.

LegacyUser

just came across this thread and thought I would offer my experience. I was diagnosed wi psoriasis at the age of 7, my GP had no clue what it was so I was sent to a dermatologist (this was back in the early 80s).
Tried pretty much everything on the market over the years, Protopic helped as did holidays in hot countries with low humidity.
However, after a sudden bout of depression I found that the antidepressant I was taking cleared it up. Bizarre. It disappeared almost completely for the two years I was on it.

I came off the antidepressant in January and yep, the psoriasis is back.

Gael23

Been referred to a Dermatologist now. Will probably take a while even though I'm in a position to go private but my GP thinks he will say its ok to keep at my current regime so I'm not too worried.

Call Me Jimmy

Guys I would just like to help anyone out because in a week I can see I'm basically curing mine. (EDIT: Sorry not cured, but symptoms removed) I dont know if its psoriasis, seb derm or eczema.

I had used manuka honey before, but didn't realise how important it was to mix with water.

The treatment is based on this study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11485891?dopt=Abstract

Here is the honey I've been using: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0062XENHA/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1

and here is the simple treatment:
http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosacea_Forum/showthread.php?20789-Seb-derm-Treating-seborrheic-dermatitis-with-raw-honey-and-virgin-coconut-oil

Note: I have not needed to use an oil.

Basically mix raw honey (I have used the Comvita Manuka Honey I think anyone who does will be cured (well they'll only have to do this mask once a week to keep it at bay) with 10% water to make it 'crude', leave on face for 3 hours every second day.

In the treatment link it tells you what to expect, my skin kind of didnt feel great to touch and didn't improve redness for a couple of days, you have to be disciplined to not mess about with it. This is day 6 and I can see I'll never have a major skin problem again.

I would recommend the Comvita Manuke Honey if anyone is trying it because you can be sure you're getting licenced, properly tested stuff.

What I am doing now is mixing the honey and water and putting it on the areas and leaving it on overnight, rinsing in the morning, as I've said the skin has almost completely healed in a week. I have pores again and the redness has quickly dissapated.

Gael23

Has anyone ever taken Methotrexate? I've only ever used topicals but find the results are not what they used to be. I don't have any arthritic symptoms , just skin lesions.

grumpydwarf

ryanf1 wrote: »

Has anyone ever taken Methotrexate? I've only ever used topicals but find the results are not what they used to be. I don't have any arthritic symptoms , just skin lesions.

I take methotrexate, as does my sister. No alcohol once you start taking it, and you cannot be trying for kids (including men!). folic acid six days a week, followed by methotrexate on day 7. Side effects vary from person to person and not all are recognised. Mine are fatigue and brain fog. I'm in a manager role, and find myself having to make more detailed notes, and I've recently done some studying and my recall in the exams was really bad compared to earlier exams. My sister gets diahoerea and gained some weight.

I got referred to the dermatologist, appointment seven months later, and they gave me benchmarking blood tests. Then a month later I started methotrexate. They build up your dosage gradually, and initially weekly blood tests, which will eventually be done quarterly. I started on 2.5mg and now I'm on 22.5 after 16mths. Massive improvement but not 100% clear - I would say 80% clear. My appointments at the hospital are every three months currently but should be six months soon.

Gael23

grumpydwarf wrote: »

I take methotrexate, as does my sister. No alcohol once you start taking it, and you cannot be trying for kids (including men!). folic acid six days a week, followed by methotrexate on day 7. Side effects vary from person to person and not all are recognised. Mine are fatigue and brain fog. I'm in a manager role, and find myself having to make more detailed notes, and I've recently done some studying and my recall in the exams was really bad compared to earlier exams. My sister gets diahoerea and gained some weight.

I got referred to the dermatologist, appointment seven months later, and they gave me benchmarking blood tests. Then a month later I started methotrexate. They build up your dosage gradually, and initially weekly blood tests, which will eventually be done quarterly. I started on 2.5mg and now I'm on 22.5 after 16mths. Massive improvement but not 100% clear - I would say 80% clear. My appointments at the hospital are every three months currently but should be six months soon.

I'm in a position to see the Dermatologist privately but I've been told to still expect a wait. Do you see your GP quite a lot then?
The Dermatologist I'm going to see might not see this as needed but it's something I never tried and is supposed to work. I'd be willing to try it if he does but am getting a little put off by the side affects of it, in particular the nausea and memory loss, all the others I think I could put up with. Also I don't think I could give the injections to myself.

grumpydwarf

I rarely saw my GP, mainly because I was resigned to it, but my spouse made me as my thighs and groin were covered as was my chest - I could barely walk without my skin being rubbed raw. I was in tears but my previous GP had been terrible in relation to this and another problem, so I didn't feel it was worth bothering. That said, when I did see my current GP, he gave me a bollocking for being so silly not to talk to him earlier and referred me straight away. I had tried the various creams and gels with the previous GP. Plus light therapy isn't an option on genitals

I take the pills rather than the injection. Not everyone has the same side effects, and I know someone else who takes her pills Sat night, wakes up Subday morning feeling a bit icky, but is then grand not a bother on her, so you could be lucky.

Gael23

I didn't see mine that much either, until a year ago. I ran out of Dovobet and he wouldn't give me another prescription without seeing me. It was then he changed everything and added some new stuff and was seeing me monthly for a while and eventually stretched it to 3 months. I need to see a specialist because of the safety concerns with Protopic but systemic treatment was considered for me before

sligoface

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

Guys I would just like to help anyone out because in a week I can see I'm basically curing mine. (EDIT: Sorry not cured, but symptoms removed) I dont know if its psoriasis, seb derm or eczema.

I had used manuka honey before, but didn't realise how important it was to mix with water.

The treatment is based on this study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11485891?dopt=Abstract

Here is the honey I've been using: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0062XENHA/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1

and here is the simple treatment:
http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosacea_Forum/showthread.php?20789-Seb-derm-Treating-seborrheic-dermatitis-with-raw-honey-and-virgin-coconut-oil

Note: I have not needed to use an oil.

Basically mix raw honey (I have used the Comvita Manuka Honey I think anyone who does will be cured (well they'll only have to do this mask once a week to keep it at bay) with 10% water to make it 'crude', leave on face for 3 hours every second day.

In the treatment link it tells you what to expect, my skin kind of didnt feel great to touch and didn't improve redness for a couple of days, you have to be disciplined to not mess about with it. This is day 6 and I can see I'll never have a major skin problem again.

I would recommend the Comvita Manuke Honey if anyone is trying it because you can be sure you're getting licenced, properly tested stuff.

What I am doing now is mixing the honey and water and putting it on the areas and leaving it on overnight, rinsing in the morning, as I've said the skin has almost completely healed in a week. I have pores again and the redness has quickly dissapated.

I want to try this, the raw honey I got is set, and the link says heating it kills the enzymes. Is yours liquid or did you have to liquefy it some way? The link says you can use organic raw honey, doesn't have to be manuka, so I got normal raw honey from holland and barrett as manuka is really expensive.

Call Me Jimmy

sligoface wrote: »

I want to try this, the raw honey I got is set, and the link says heating it kills the enzymes. Is yours liquid or did you have to liquefy it some way? The link says you can use organic raw honey, doesn't have to be manuka, so I got normal raw honey from holland and barrett as manuka is really expensive.

Mine is not liquid until the small bit of water is added and mixed in

on_my_oe

sligoface wrote: »

I want to try this, the raw honey I got is set, and the link says heating it kills the enzymes. Is yours liquid or did you have to liquefy it some way? The link says you can use organic raw honey, doesn't have to be manuka, so I got normal raw honey from holland and barrett as manuka is really expensive.

Manuka honey is a great medicinal product due to the manuka flowers, which the bees feed off, a plant that grows in NZ. Manuka honey is used on burns patients, with gauze soaked in honey applied. You won't get the same effect with organic honey. You also need to pay attention to the UMF factor, which describes the active grade of honey - much like SPF, the higher the better. You can sometimes get UMF 15 in Aldi for around €12; I've not looked H&B so not sure what the prices are. Just be careful it is from NZ

huskerdu

ryanf1 wrote: »

Has anyone ever taken Methotrexate? I've only ever used topicals but find the results are not what they used to be. I don't have any arthritic symptoms , just skin lesions.

I take methotrexate for psoratic arthritis.

I got dreadful nausea and sick stomach symptoms for a while , but they eased off, even though my dose increased. If I stick to taking it with food, I am fine. I forgot to take it a few times and took it 15 minutes after dinner and really regretted it. I got bad nausea symptoms.

It is possible to take 5000ug folic acid tablet a week, instead of one a day for the whole week.

Don't know about memory loss, I usually blame getting older for that, no way of knowing if its the drugs.

The blood tests are to check your liver function amongst other things. No-one knows why it affects the liver of some people and not others.

Some doctors advise no alcohol at all, some advise 5 units a week. If your liver tests are clear after 6 months, then it wont affect your liver. You should talk in detail to your doctor about it.

Gael23

Been doing some research into it and I don't think its for me, I don't have any PSA symptoms at all and thats what it seems to be mostly for.And as well as that I don't think I could handle some of the side effects. But if the Dermatologist suggests it I will give it a try.

Hope everyone is making the most of the sunshine. It really helps:)

rubadub

Lots of manuka honey is fake. They say the UK consume more alleged manuka honey than is produced worldwide each year.

Call Me Jimmy

If you buy Comvita from a reputable source, say boots, ye won't have a problem. Buying off amazon is riskier, but Comvita are a licenced and tested brand.

What you're saying is true though I think the BBC did a report on it.

Gael23

Got an appointment with a Dermatologist in Vincents for 31st October.
Didn't expect to be waiting that long going privately. Its €200 as well