Hey guys, I'm Nick. I first started with rosacea on my face, which became much worse and led to eczema and seborrheic dermatitis after some dermatologists tried to help. I fixed it myself with herbs and supplements, but after a few years I had issues and went back to the dermatologist, got worse...anyway, that's the cycle I've done 5 or 6 times now, with the latest problem being plaque and guttate psoriasis on my neck and arms that got much worse when my derm suggested (before doing a biopsy) athlete's foot cream in case it was fungal, and I took a lot of B vitamins and zinc (probably unbound copper dumping, but the biochemical angle gets technical real quick).  Otezla helped at first but not so much now, but because I work at a hospital with all sorts of nasty diseases, I don't really want to take anything that decreases my immunity. I took my first, tiny dose of dimethyl fumarate today and tolerated it well, and am trying to slowly increase my zinc levels too. Nice to meet you all.

Welcome and nice to meet you as well.

Lots of dimethyl fumarate people here and a lot of information to be found. It's not available here so afraid I don't know much about it other than it has worked very well for others.

Glad you found your way here

Hi Nick,

We have been talking before, , welcome to Psoriasis Club!

Caroline

Hi Nick I see you got your supply of DMF. You say you took your first tiny dose today   can I ask a couple of questions
Firstly have you had your blood levels checked before you started?

It's important to know kidney and liver function are good and all other levels are within the normal parameters. Particularly the lymphocyte count which should be between 1 and 3

Secondly you say a tiny dose. Did you measure it ? And will you follow Bills lead on dosing as he seems to have survived and got good results ?

How are you taking it ? With plenty of food and fluid I hope

I wish you luck and hope it works well for you, but expect a bumpy ride to begin with as your body gets used to this new intruder
Jim

Hi Nick,

I am pleased to read your intro. I see that Jim is on at you about blood testing. He did the same thing to me to the extent that I thought he must have been my Mum. But he is spot on and I wished I had followed his advice much earlier. In hindsight I think I underestimated the potential danger. DMF is very safe as long as you stay within safe boundaries and without testing you cannot know where you stand. I really cannot say which side of the line I was on, but I did have some nasty colds which prompted me to stop taking DMF for almost a few months at one point. I have not had a cold of any severity for over a year now. If you tell your Doctor what you are doing you will rightly be told that you are bonkers, but you will get your testing done. And please tell me that you are not using diethyl fumarate.

Welcome,

Bill

(Sun-04-12-2016, 11:24 AM)Bill Wrote: Hi Nick,

I am pleased to read your intro. I see that Jim is on at you about blood testing. He did the same thing to me to the extent that I thought he must have been my Mum. But he is spot on and I wished I had followed his advice much earlier. In hindsight I think I underestimated the potential danger. DMF is very safe as long as you stay within safe boundaries and without testing you cannot know where you stand. I really cannot say which side of the line I was on, but I did have some nasty colds which prompted me to stop taking DMF for almost a few months at one point. I have not had a cold of any severity for over a year now. If you tell your Doctor what you are doing you will rightly be told that you are bonkers, but you will get you testing done. And please tell me that you are not using diethyl fumarate.

Welcome,

Bill

thanks Bill it's advice that needs to be given

Hello Nick to Psoriasis Club.

We have spoken before on another thread and yes I can tell you're "Basically a mad scientist"

Nick

Welcome to the madhouse Nick

I'm the insane one on here

You'll find me down the corridor, 4th door on the right...........the en-suite padded cell

Enjoy yourself on here Nick

GB

(Sun-04-12-2016, 10:19 AM)jiml Wrote: Hi Nick I see you got your supply of DMF. You say you took your first tiny dose today   can I ask a couple of questions
Firstly have you had your blood levels checked before you started?

Yes, I had them checked recently.

(Sun-04-12-2016, 10:19 AM)jiml Wrote: It's important to know kidney and liver function are good and all other levels are within the normal parameters. Particularly the lymphocyte count which should be between 1 and 3

Secondly you say a tiny dose. Did you measure it ? And will you follow Bills lead on dosing as he seems to have survived and got good results ?

Yes, 30mg via a jewelry scale. I planned to start with a fumaric acid supplement to better perceive side effects and need lower DMF doses, but it is on backorder.

(Sun-04-12-2016, 10:19 AM)jiml Wrote: How are you taking it ? With plenty of food and fluid I hope

Yes, put it in my morning cereal. I returned the diethyl fumarate and the company replaced it with DMF.

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Edit By Fred: Made quote tidy.

That's good Nick but you are wasting your money on fumaric acid supplement it won't do anything for your psoriasis

Also if answering if you write below the last [/ quote] in the post it's easier for others to find your comments