Acitretin journey!

[Kat]

You could be right in that Acitretin isn't for you, but I remember thinking it wasn't working either until one day... it just did. Hang in there! You should know for sure in the next few weeks.

[Fred]

Well I'll throw my spanner in the works.  

Looking at the three images together I would say it's getting worse. If you look closely at the third image you can see where its starting to join up in various places.

Now I'm not saying it's the Acitretin making it worse, I'm just agreeing with you when you said "I'm NOT sure Acitretin is going to work for me"

As for if you hang on in there, at the end of the day it's your choice. Me I would like my dermatologist to have another look before continuing.

[mataribot]

Fred, it is not uncommon for that drug to cause flares for two months and then suddenly work. However, being how he has been on cyclo already, this may be a loss cause.

[Fred]

Fred, it is not uncommon for that drug to cause flares for two months and then suddenly work.

Thank you for that Matari, I didn't know that about Acitretin.

[PurpleMusic]

It's tricky isn't it? I'd be tempted to push on to the 12 weeks stage, to categorically prove whether this works or not (and if not, at least you'll know for definite). It's a bit like the humble antibiotic mantra "finish the course to get any benefit/effect " etc. And from what I'm reading here and elsewhere it is a slow acting medication.

All I do know for certain is that being one week in to my Acitretin journey my skin is most definitely getting worse and I'm leaving a perpetual trail of skin around the house. I'd be rubbish at Hide & Seek.

That all said and done, a quick Derm visit (if such a thing is possible) can't do any harm and might confirm/deny their expectations of where your skin should be at this point in the treatment plan. Wonder if you could email those pics? That would save them/you so much time.

[fingers]

Well thank you all for the food for thought!! If I could find anything positive about the treatment so far I would say its got flatter and more pink than red!!
I have a dermatologist appointment in 4 weeks time and the nursing sister said she wants the top lady present at this one!!...so I can only guess they don't have much faith that Acitretin is for me! and will probably put me on a biological drug!!
I have to say my faith is waning with this drug! I have had psoriasis for 16 years and I know the signs!!... good and bad!!...but I will!wait the full 12 weeks just in case because I have had zero side effects!!!!!!! thank you all for your comments and advice,
I will post a picture after the full 12 weeks. Fingers!!

[jiml]

I think your positive about the flattening and lighter colour is probably the work of acetretin. I have just looked again at your photos and I don't see it getting worse ., but that's my opinion
I'm sure you will begin to see it working more in the coming weeks
As several of us have pointed out it is a slow worker, but I'm sure there is an improvement
Jim

[Fred]

I have just looked again at your photos and I don't see it getting worse ., but that's my opinion

Photo #2 and #3 shows the difference, yes it's small but it is definitely joining up.

Right hand side in line with his hip where there was a gap there isn't.

And left hand side below his shoulder blade looks like it is starting to join up.

Just my opinion, but Fingers will know best.

[CCAZ]

I've been following this thread with much interest. I started Acitretin August 3 so am very close to your schedule, Fingers. My psoriasis was only diagnosed this past February (after four doctors gave different diagnoses). I realize now I've probably had it for years but was so mild it never bothered me. This time my hands and feet just blew up - peeling, cracking, bleeding, thick plaque, etc. We tried the typical topicals with some relief but derm wanted a systemic. Humira was denied by insurance and will only reconsider after three months treatment of Acitretin. So here we are.

Fortunately, within six weeks my hands and feet are completely clear! Hooray! Unfortunately, I now have spots all over my legs, arms and back :( The dry skin is driving me nuts - and I had no itching prior to beginning treatment! I'm hoping it's just a case of getting worse before it gets better as many of you have noted. My follow-up with the derm in in November. He said if if it's not resolved by then we'll try to get Humira approved again.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your journey, Fingers. I hope that you begin to see improvement soon and that this is the drug for you.

[jiml]

I've been following this thread with much interest.  I started Acitretin August 3 so am very close to your schedule, Fingers.  My psoriasis was only diagnosed this past February (after four doctors gave different diagnoses).  I realize now I've probably had it for years but was so mild it never bothered me.  This time my hands and feet just blew up - peeling, cracking, bleeding, thick plaque, etc.  We tried the typical topicals with some relief but derm wanted a systemic.  Humira was denied by insurance and will only reconsider after three months treatment of Acitretin.  So here we are.

Fortunately, within six weeks my hands and feet are completely clear!  Hooray!  Unfortunately, I now have spots all over my legs, arms and back :(  The dry skin is driving me nuts - and I had no itching prior to beginning treatment!  I'm hoping it's just a case of getting worse before it gets better as many of you have noted.  My follow-up with the derm in in November.  He said if if it's not resolved by then we'll try to get Humira approved again.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your journey, Fingers.  I hope that you begin to see improvement soon and that this is the drug for you.

Hi ccaz and to the forum thanks for your input it's good to compare notes with other users of the same medications, glad to see acetretin is working for you