Health Boards
Fri-21-10-2016, 13:01 PM
I had been prescribed a 4 week dose by my doctor, so seven cans in total. However, one can was lasting me 3 weeks (I'm covering about 30% of my body but I don't pile it on). I went back to see her and asked about the maximum dosage criteria, is it that you shouldn't expose yourself to more that 4 x 60mg per treatment course, that your shouldn't put it on your skin in any dosage for more than a 4 week time period, or a combination of both? I also asked about treatment 'holidays' - how long after I had finished one course would I have to wait before I started another one once required (I know this isn't a cure)?
She explained, as I have read elsewhere, that doctors are a little less scared of steroid treatments these days, and are more willing to let the treatment have some time to take effect. Her opinion (and I'm sure other opinions are available) is that it shouldn't be a problem to spread the maximum 4 week dose over a longer period. In my case this will be about 5 months. At the end of my last can she said I would have to wait at least 2 months before embarking on another course (if and when required). The idea is to move over to using an emollient, probably Diprobase, at the end of the treatment and see how long it will hold the psoriasis at bay.
I also agreed with her that I would only be using Enstilar 5 days a week, Monday to Friday. This has two effects - firstly it gives my skin a mini-break from the treatment. Yes it probably reduces the effectiveness but not to the point were I'm regressing. Secondly, and most importantly for me, I get the weekend with normal feeling skin. My clothes aren't sticking to me and I'm not leaving a trail of flakes behind me - that's quite a thing after 30 years of living with one or the other, or both!!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the future, I know this might all fall apart eventually, but for the moment, as Ronald says, "I'm lovin' it"
She explained, as I have read elsewhere, that doctors are a little less scared of steroid treatments these days, and are more willing to let the treatment have some time to take effect. Her opinion (and I'm sure other opinions are available) is that it shouldn't be a problem to spread the maximum 4 week dose over a longer period. In my case this will be about 5 months. At the end of my last can she said I would have to wait at least 2 months before embarking on another course (if and when required). The idea is to move over to using an emollient, probably Diprobase, at the end of the treatment and see how long it will hold the psoriasis at bay.
I also agreed with her that I would only be using Enstilar 5 days a week, Monday to Friday. This has two effects - firstly it gives my skin a mini-break from the treatment. Yes it probably reduces the effectiveness but not to the point were I'm regressing. Secondly, and most importantly for me, I get the weekend with normal feeling skin. My clothes aren't sticking to me and I'm not leaving a trail of flakes behind me - that's quite a thing after 30 years of living with one or the other, or both!!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the future, I know this might all fall apart eventually, but for the moment, as Ronald says, "I'm lovin' it"
