Bill please don't bite my head off, but I'm thinking if others are following your thread my question may help them.

Why the hell are you going through all this and trying to treat yourself as opposed to getting treatment from a dermatologist ?

I just read your latest posts and to be honest I still don't get why you have chosen to go this way, and I'm sure some others may be thinking the same. Your thread has been going over 5 years now and had a huge amount of hits (almost 40,000) and as much as I do agree it seems to be working for you, I still feel like asking Why you have chosen to treat yourself.

I don't get the impression it's down to your financial situation or your available healthcare system, and I do really admire you for what you are doing but I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering Why!

Fred runs off to the Psoriasis Club Bar for a bucket of Merlot.  

Thanks, Fred.

*DMF works very well for my p and psa. The only issue I have had with it is a drop in lymphocytes. It is a common issue with DMF, and for me it is mild.

*DMF is not a registered therapeutic for p or psa in Australia, so there is not a snowball's chance in Hell of me getting a prescription for it.

*If I could get a script for DMF here I would pay almost $1900 AU for 13.44 grams. Compare this with $900 AU for 25 kg of DMF delivered to my home which works just as well.

*Were I to decide to see a dermatologist here I would have to look something like this



before being offered systemics. By the way, I took this pic some 2 1/2 weeks after commencing treatment with DMF (3*240mg daily) because I was incredibly pleased with how well and quickly my psoriasis was clearing. I doubt that any other treatment would work as well, let alone as quickly.

*Under the present guidelines in Australia I would be offered MTX, phototherapy, acitretin, and cyclosporin. I would have to fail three of these four therapies before being offered bios, which may or may not work and may or may not have side effects. The definition of failure here would pretty much see me crippled before such therapy were offered.

With these points in mind Fred it would be sheer bloody lunacy for me to even consider seeking specialist treatment for my p or psa in Australia. Now bend over you naughty man for asking such a silly question.          

Very good explanation. Although I understand why Fred asked, oddly enough I never really wondered why you've taken the route you have. I think I've mostly been impressed with your knowledge and ability to treat yourself honestly. But it's good to know why you or any of us actually decide to go the directions that we do as it's helpful for others in understanding. So, I'm glad Fred thought to ask and was interested in your reasons as to why. Thanks for sharing!!!!

You are very welcome, Kat. As you can see I took some inspiration from Andy in my reply to Fred.

Cheers

(Sun-21-01-2018, 07:50 AM)Bill Wrote: You are very welcome, Kat. As you can see I took some inspiration from Andy in my reply to Fred.

Cheers

Oh dear Bill .... you’ve been around Grizzly far too long
Great explanation though

(Sun-21-01-2018, 03:00 AM)Bill Wrote: Now bend over you naughty man for asking such a silly question.          

Yes I can see the Grizzly influence there.

Thank you for the informative explanation Bill. I'm sure it will help others understand why you chose that journey, and there is no denying it does work for you as you always keep coming back with updates.

Now please can you put your white coat back on.  

I had a blood test on Friday (2/3/2018). Here are the results:

WBC:5.2 N:3.3 L:0.90 M:0.7 E:0.16 B:0.05

Compare with 15/1/2018

WBC:6.0 N:4.4 L:0.90 M:0.5 E:0.12 B:0.06

Compare with 2/12/2017:

WBC:5.7 N:4.0 L:0.914 M:0.6 E:0.11 B:0.06

Compare with 13/10/2017

WBC:5.0 N:3.3 L:0.9 M:0.7 E:0.15 B:0.05

Compare with 24/07/2017

WBC:6.9 N:5.1 L:0.966 M:0.7 E:0.07 B:0.07


I have been dosing at 800mg twice weekly since the last test, so I am pleased that my lymphocyte count has not changed. I will continue at this dose and have another test in 6 weeks. I will continue to take raw kidney beans to see if they have any effect.

Cheers

Thanks for the reporting Bill.
That is looking good!

Thanks, Caroline. Note that when I increase the dosing frequency both the monocyte and eosinophil counts increase. With the latest increase in dosing frequency note also that the lymphocyte count did not decrease as it did on every attempted increase in 2017. I am hoping that the change is due to the pha.

Cheers

Great to see the readings holding up Bill and the lymphocytes holding at 0.9 ... everything else is looking good and keeping the Psoriasis and arthritis under control on just 800mg twice a week is very good, considering I’m taking 600mg every day to achieve the same outcome

What is the pha?