I'm coming to the end of my first week on Acitretin. I haven't noticed a huge difference (nor expect to for a while yet) other than I do itch less. I still itch, but instead of all day long, I can actually go an hour or two without being too itchy.

(Thu-21-08-2014, 23:35 PM)Kat Wrote: I'm coming to the end of my first week on Acitretin. I haven't noticed a huge difference (nor expect to for a while yet) other than I do itch less. I still itch, but instead of all day long, I can actually go an hour or two without being too itchy.

Tip: If the itch is driving you crazy, lay a bag of frozen peas on it for a while. It won't stop it for ever but will give some instant relief.

Thanks Fred. I saw that suggestion in another post here and tried it. It actually does help. Wonder if I can somehow make a pouch that fits to my head to hold it on my neck area ....... I could call it the "pea pouch" ... hmm, "pea pod"? I could start a new fashion trend!

To stay on topic (sorry my mind drifts) I do credit the Acitretin with helping with the itching. Of course I did decide to go ahead and start the steroid medpac so it's probably helping with the itch as well. We'll see when I come off of that if the itching is still less (which I do think it will be.)

Hey everyone new to this forum but not in regards to P.
I thought I would share my experience with you after starting Acitretin Aug 2014.
Suffered since age 12 and as a veteran of the vast array of meds on offer I am now at the stage of trying Acitretin. My P by the way is on the high end of moderate bordering on severe. Apparently, after bloods, cholestorol etc I am an ideal candidate. This is my second attempt at an oral drug as I reacted adversely to ciclosporin. I will share with you any side effects and effects on skin.
Day 1: 35mg Acitretin taken after breakfast, started to develop a pressure headache, foggy feeling and this didn't stop only respite is when asleep, nightmare.
Day 2: Same strict routine and again now a hazy headache not very alert, with a foggy feeling, after a nap feel brighter continued throughout day again nightmare.
Day 3: Headaches don't seem to be there today no pain and it seems the fogginess is going feel more brighter than last two days. Not sure whether related but my IBS flared badly in the am.
No significant change in skin or anything else will try and update again further along. However, I live in hope this treatment may help me but don't hold out much optimism considering years trying other treatments that have failed, anyway we will see.

(Thu-28-08-2014, 04:26 AM)longtime sufferer Wrote: Hey everyone new to this forum but not in regards to P.
I thought I would share my experience with you after starting Acitretin Aug 2014.
Suffered since age 12 and as a veteran of the vast array of meds on offer I am now at the stage of trying Acitretin. My P by the way is on the high end of moderate bordering on severe. Apparently, after bloods, cholestorol etc I am an ideal candidate. This is my second attempt at an oral drug as I reacted adversely to ciclosporin. I will share with you any side effects and effects on skin.
Day 1: 35mg Acitretin taken after breakfast, started to develop a pressure headache, foggy feeling and this didn't stop only respite is when asleep, nightmare.
Day 2: Same strict routine and again now a hazy headache not very alert, with a foggy feeling, after a nap feel brighter continued throughout day again nightmare.
Day 3: Headaches don't seem to be there today no pain and it seems the fogginess is going feel more brighter than last two days. Not sure whether related but my IBS flared badly in the am.
No significant change in skin or anything else will try and update again further along. However, I live in hope this treatment may help me but don't hold out much optimism considering years trying other treatments that have failed, anyway we will see.

Update: Day 6 tolerating drug so happy so far, skin has got bad quickly seems to be growing at an accelerated rate, hair is coming out (no im not bald but noticeably losing) but expected all of this. No headaches and feeling a lot better than at beginning.

Great news I like good news at the weekend, thanks for updating
Isn't it strange how skin grows and hair drops out...... Strange how that works!!!

I'm glad you are staying positive the drug is doing things to your body, let's hope it is working quietly away on the psoriasis....
Thanks again look forward to next update
Jim

(Sat-30-08-2014, 09:40 AM)jiml Wrote: Great news I like good news at the weekend, thanks for updating
Isn't it strange how skin grows and hair drops out...... Strange how that works!!!

I'm glad you are staying positive the drug is doing things to your body, let's hope it is working quietly away on the psoriasis....
Thanks again look forward to next update
Jim

Thanks Jim very early days but if I can help anyone else with my updates that is one of my goals, yes its all connected skin, hair, nails so fingers crossed feel like a lab rat but have to try this or I will never know. Have tried holistic treatments and perservered to no avail. Will keep plodding

(Sat-30-08-2014, 09:46 AM)longtime sufferer Wrote:

(Sat-30-08-2014, 09:40 AM)jiml Wrote: Great news I like good news at the weekend, thanks for updating
Isn't it strange how skin grows and hair drops out...... Strange how that works!!!

I'm glad you are staying positive the drug is doing things to your body, let's hope it is working quietly away on the psoriasis....
Thanks again look forward to next update
Jim

Thanks Jim very early days but if I can help anyone else with my updates that is one of my goals, yes its all connected skin, hair, nails so fingers crossed feel like a lab rat but have to try this or I will never know. Have tried holistic treatments and perservered to no avail. Will keep plodding

Plenty of support here be positive this one will work !!!!

(Sat-30-08-2014, 09:34 AM)longtime sufferer Wrote:

(Thu-28-08-2014, 04:26 AM)longtime sufferer Wrote: Hey everyone new to this forum but not in regards to P.
I thought I would share my experience with you after starting Acitretin Aug 2014.
Suffered since age 12 and as a veteran of the vast array of meds on offer I am now at the stage of trying Acitretin. My P by the way is on the high end of moderate bordering on severe. Apparently, after bloods, cholestorol etc I am an ideal candidate. This is my second attempt at an oral drug as I reacted adversely to ciclosporin. I will share with you any side effects and effects on skin.
Day 1: 35mg Acitretin taken after breakfast, started to develop a pressure headache, foggy feeling and this didn't stop only respite is when asleep, nightmare.
Day 2: Same strict routine and again now a hazy headache not very alert, with a foggy feeling, after a nap feel brighter continued throughout day again nightmare.
Day 3: Headaches don't seem to be there today no pain and it seems the fogginess is going feel more brighter than last two days. Not sure whether related but my IBS flared badly in the am.
No significant change in skin or anything else will try and update again further along. However, I live in hope this treatment may help me but don't hold out much optimism considering years trying other treatments that have failed, anyway we will see.

Update: Day 6 tolerating drug so happy so far, skin has got bad quickly seems to be growing at an accelerated rate, hair is coming out (no im not bald but noticeably losing) but expected all of this. No headaches and feeling a lot better than at beginning.

Update: Day 12 hair is thinning and falling out getting me down now and dont know whether to stop drug am tolerating drug ok but hair falling out wasnt an option, lips are so dry and putting lip balm every half hour overall despondent not a happy bunny. Calling all Acitretin users present and past what should I do ? ;((

(Sat-06-09-2014, 14:47 PM)longtime sufferer Wrote:

(Sat-30-08-2014, 09:34 AM)longtime sufferer Wrote:

(Thu-28-08-2014, 04:26 AM)longtime sufferer Wrote: Hey everyone new to this forum but not in regards to P.
I thought I would share my experience with you after starting Acitretin Aug 2014.
Suffered since age 12 and as a veteran of the vast array of meds on offer I am now at the stage of trying Acitretin. My P by the way is on the high end of moderate bordering on severe. Apparently, after bloods, cholestorol etc I am an ideal candidate. This is my second attempt at an oral drug as I reacted adversely to ciclosporin. I will share with you any side effects and effects on skin.
Day 1: 35mg Acitretin taken after breakfast, started to develop a pressure headache, foggy feeling and this didn't stop only respite is when asleep, nightmare.
Day 2: Same strict routine and again now a hazy headache not very alert, with a foggy feeling, after a nap feel brighter continued throughout day again nightmare.
Day 3: Headaches don't seem to be there today no pain and it seems the fogginess is going feel more brighter than last two days. Not sure whether related but my IBS flared badly in the am.
No significant change in skin or anything else will try and update again further along. However, I live in hope this treatment may help me but don't hold out much optimism considering years trying other treatments that have failed, anyway we will see.

Update: Day 6 tolerating drug so happy so far, skin has got bad quickly seems to be growing at an accelerated rate, hair is coming out (no im not bald but noticeably losing) but expected all of this. No headaches and feeling a lot better than at beginning.

Update: Day 12 hair is thinning and falling out getting me down now and dont know whether to stop drug am tolerating drug ok but hair falling out wasnt an option, lips are so dry and putting lip balm every half hour overall despondent not a happy bunny. Calling all Acitretin users present and past what should I do ? ;((

So sorry to hear you're having all these side effects. My dermatologist told me if I had headaches, I could reduce the dose to three times a week. You might want to ask your doc if you could reduce the dose to see if that helps.