[split] Acitretin

[Kat]

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.
Thanx Kat might phone them on Monday have u experienced hair loss?

No, I did have a headache the first day or two, but it was mild. I do get a bit of dry mouth and dry lips, but that was something I would get prior to the medicine. I'm just past the 3 week mark for being on Acitretin and so still waiting to see if it works for me. Crossing fingers for us both.