Jims continued use of Fumaderm

[jiml]

Another thing to consider Jim is that your treatment might become more effective over time, allowing you the same control with a lower dosage. I think you worry far too much. Your counts have been in the normal range for years.

Cheers

Thanks Bill I know I worry, but bear in mind I had suffered without control for over 50 years and do live in the fear that it might come back anytime
Regarding reducing the dose I have tried that but soon notice the itchyness return and the little I have on the side of my scalp constantly remind me that it's an ongoing battle

[Bill]

I think fear of a treatment failing is commonplace with good reason Jim, but I wouldn't think your risk of failure to be any higher now than when you started on Fumaderm. If anything it is probably lower. I have been trying a lower dose. Easier to take, but I have noticed a little pain and stiffness in my fingers. Always a bloody trade-off!

Cheers

[jiml]

7 June 2019

Been a while since I updated  and a few things have happened My psoriasis was under control apart from a tiny bit in my scalp, and the psoriatic arthritis was barely noticeable.  I had a blood test a month ago and everything was ok.  apart from a lowering of my lymphocytes from 1.21 to 0.83  so I took the decision to reduce my fumaderm tablets from 5 a day  to 4x120mg tablets a day
This has had the effect of causing the psoriatic arthritis to flare a bit causing more painful finger joints and being woken with painful shoulders  but the reduction of the tablets allowed the lymphocyte count to get back to 1.11 so was worth it .  So in view of the arthritic pain I'm experiencing now  today I have increased the dose back to 5 tablets a day

Hopefully it will get back on track and reduce the arthritic discomfort and clear the little bit of psoriasis that is still annoying me in my scalp behind my right ear

Hopefully I'll update in the next month to see if the lymphocytes stay within the normal range and see if the arthritis and psoriasis is back under control

[Kat]

I do believe behind the ears is a very stubborn place for psoriasis!

Glad to see you got your counts back where they need to be, hope the increase gets you back to where you want to be!

[Bill]

That is a sensible approach, Jim. I have reduced the dosage and it still works well, so I might try a further dose reduction. A bit of tar based ointment keeps the psoriasis behind my ears in check.

Cheers

[D Foster]

Sounds good idea to me Jim ,if you can get some Enstillar it's really good for the ears.

[jiml]

That is a sensible approach, Jim. I have reduced the dosage and it still works well, so I might try a further dose reduction. A bit of tar based ointment keeps the psoriasis behind my ears in check.

Cheers

Thanks Bill good luck I hope the reduction works for you, I have polytar shampoo and enstilar but I'm lazy and don't use the enstilar as I should I'm not good with creams or ointments . however if it was worse I would work hard to get it down but it's not enough for anyone to notice so I tend to to ignore it

[jiml]

I do believe behind the ears is a very stubborn place for psoriasis!

Glad to see you got your counts back where they need to be, hope the increase gets you back to where you want to be!

Thanks Kat hopefully my next update will show the scalp clearing up as the summers here as well now so some natural vitamin D in the form of sunshine should also help

[jiml]

Sounds good idea to me Jim ,if you can get some Enstillar it's really good for the ears.

Thanks Dave I have some enstilar but I'm hopeless at remembering to put it on in the evening and won't put it on at night as I suspect it will grease up the pillows.
And during the day it will slick my few strands of hair so I look bald
But I have just had a squirt of it and if I remember will put more on tomorrow

[Fred]

What ever it takes, keep that psoriatic arthritis in check Jim.