Health Boards
Sat-02-04-2016, 19:38 PM
Hi, I've been taking Acitretin for about 7 weeks now and all I can say about it so far is that I seem to have had a lot of the side effects without any of the benefits.
I have had Psoriasis for about 20 years and over the last 5 or so it's got gradually worse. I've had a few light treatments that have worked but it always came back. My consultant advised Acitretin so I thought I'd give it a go.
I've read that it's slow but I've been on it for 7 weeks now and instead of seeing improvements, all I've seen is a dramatic worsening! It now almost completely covers my buttocks and legs and is slowly making its way up my stomach, back and arms.
I can cope with some of the side effects - dry lips and nostrils with the accompanying nose bleeds, but some of the others are getting to me. I'm almost constantly cold (yet when I'm sat my psoriasis is hot and sweaty), my skin feels very smooth and almost waxy or like it has a thin film of plastic on it - including the roof of my mouth and yet my plaques are now paper thin and get cut at the slightest scratch. But like I said the worst has to be the huge flare that just seems to be getting worse. There are new patches appearing on a daily basis and they all seem to want to join up and have a party!
Is this normal for Acitretin? I am meeting my derm on Tuesday and I don't know what to say. Do I stick with it for another 8 weeks or do I ask for something else?
I hope some of you kind folks can give me some advice.
Thanks.
I have had Psoriasis for about 20 years and over the last 5 or so it's got gradually worse. I've had a few light treatments that have worked but it always came back. My consultant advised Acitretin so I thought I'd give it a go.
I've read that it's slow but I've been on it for 7 weeks now and instead of seeing improvements, all I've seen is a dramatic worsening! It now almost completely covers my buttocks and legs and is slowly making its way up my stomach, back and arms.
I can cope with some of the side effects - dry lips and nostrils with the accompanying nose bleeds, but some of the others are getting to me. I'm almost constantly cold (yet when I'm sat my psoriasis is hot and sweaty), my skin feels very smooth and almost waxy or like it has a thin film of plastic on it - including the roof of my mouth and yet my plaques are now paper thin and get cut at the slightest scratch. But like I said the worst has to be the huge flare that just seems to be getting worse. There are new patches appearing on a daily basis and they all seem to want to join up and have a party!
Is this normal for Acitretin? I am meeting my derm on Tuesday and I don't know what to say. Do I stick with it for another 8 weeks or do I ask for something else?
I hope some of you kind folks can give me some advice.
Thanks.