Fumaderm and hormone injections

[Bill]

Good for you, Jim. Your lymphocyte count is very good and gives you some play with the dosage, and you are not limited to using Fumaderm if your Dermatologist decides that you need something else. I take less DMF than you do, but get a greater effect from it. It is harder on the tum, but the experimental nature would make a similar dosing regimen a moot option for you. So I agree with Fred that you may end up on something else, although I strongly disagree with his opinion about DMF's efficacy. Turtles might not be fast and flashy but they keep going. And hopefully the doxycycline will do something useful and may be beneficial for you and Caroline.

Cheers,

Bill

[jiml]

Good for you, Jim. Your lymphocyte count is very good and gives you some play with the dosage, and you are not limited to using Fumaderm if your Dermatologist decides that you need something else. I take less DMF than you do, but get a greater effect from it. It is harder on the tum, but the experimental nature would make a similar dosing regimen a moot option for you. So I agree with Fred that you may end up on something else, although I strongly disagree with his opinion about DMF's efficacy. Turtles might not be fast and flashy but they keep going. And hopefully the doxycycline will do something useful and may be beneficial for you and Caroline.

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks Bill I've just had another blood test today and I'm going to see the dermatologist tomorrow so will see what's happening
My last blood results from earlier this month are down a little and the lymphocytes are 1.2 down from 1.25
But that small difference could be down to an inaccurate count, no doubt I will find out tomorrow

Good luck with you doxycycline experiment

[Kat]

I'll leave the "fumaderm is or isn't going to help with psoriatic arthritis" discussion to you experts.    

The important thing about joints is to keep them moving (as I am sure you know) and I have all the same symptoms as you mentioned, including the lines in my nails with the exception that I do not have nails starting to pull away.  So that is a concern for the psoriatic arthritis (again, as you already know.)   Where was I going with this? OH.. there is of course osteo arthritis to consider.  I do not have psoriatic arthritis, but I do have osteo so thought I'd mention it.

Wishing you the best and hope your appointment today goes well.

[jiml]

I'll leave the "fumaderm is or isn't going to help with psoriatic arthritis" discussion to you experts.    

The important thing about joints is to keep them moving (as I am sure you know) and I have all the same symptoms as you mentioned, including the lines in my nails with the exception that I do not have nails starting to pull away.  So that is a concern for the psoriatic arthritis (again, as you already know.)   Where was I going with this? OH.. there is of course osteo arthritis to consider.  I do not have psoriatic arthritis, but I do have osteo so thought I'd mention it.

Wishing you the best and hope your appointment today goes well.

Thanks Kat I shall be leaving very shortly for my appointment and will let you know later the outcome

Thanks for your advice and thoughts

[jiml]

Had a dermatology appointment yesterday afternoon , I was warned the clinic was running late
I was due to go to a carol concert after the appointment but with the clinic running an hour  late I wasn't able to get a meal before the concert
Not even a bowl of soup

Anyway I got to see Dr Shah who has been seeing me for quite a while now we discussed my joint pain and he examined my fingers and toes and said there was no swelling, but he would refer me to rheumatology, so I must wait for an appointment for that now .

He was pleased with my skin and we looked at my blood test results that I had done on the Monday at my GPs results all looking good liver and kidney function normal.

LYMPHOCYTE COUNT UP TO 1.4 ( normal range between 1 and 3 ) so needless to say I was delighted

It shows our doctors and hospital are sharing information as my results were in after a day and a half after they were taken at my GPs surgery

Just going to have to wait and see if my joint stiffness and pain is psoriatic arthritis or just old age  

I came away happy but hungry  

[Bill]

Could be both, Jim, but your lymphocyte count is good so your treatment options wont be curtailed.

Cheers,

Bill

[Kat]

Good news, other than the being hungry that is!

The rheumatologist should be able to answer what's going on once you get to that appointment. Hopefully it will be good news as well.

[jiml]

Thanks Bill and Kat ..... Yes I was really pleased with my bloods, and the dermatologist thought they wouldn't take me off fumaderm unless there was a very good reason

[Fred]

Just going to have to wait and see if my joint stiffness and pain is psoriatic arthritis or just old age  

Could be either Jim, but like Bill said all is good with your count. Whatever it is mate it's mild at the moment so just wait and see what they come back with.

We can always find you lighter work at Psoriasis Club like a smaller broom, or we could ask members not to keep putting a house brick in the bottom of their bin bags as a joke on the day you go around collecting them.  

[jiml]

Just going to have to wait and see if my joint stiffness and pain is psoriatic arthritis or just old age  

Could be either Jim, but like Bill said all is good with your count. Whatever it is mate it's mild at the moment so just wait and see what they come back with.

We can always find you lighter work at Psoriasis Club like a smaller broom, or we could ask members not to keep putting a house brick in the bottom of their bin bags as a joke on the day you go around collecting them.  

Thanks Fred yes it is good news
Thanks for the offer of a smaller broom that could help...... also no I want them to keep putting the bricks in as I am building an extension and am only half way up