Bill's pure dimethylfumarate thread

[Fred]

Trying to reduce the dose as the disease reduces is what you do with dimethyl fumarate, and requiring less drug with time is not uncommon. It may be that the n-acetyl cysteine that I have been taking to ameliorate the tummy upset with dimethyl fumarate is acting as an antagonist. I don't know if this is so, but if it is I may get as much effect from the smaller dose. I will find out soon enough. It would be very nice to have a routine that I did not have to review, but I had a drop in lymphocytes that I don't know the cause of which necessitated a dose reduction and prompted a search for something to bump up the count. Eighteen months later and I thought maybe I could keep the lymphocytes at a good level with a little iron supplementation, but with that addressed I have not seen the increase in lymphocytes sustained. Meanwhile I have noted that my disease is less active anyway, so that is another reason to try a lower dose for a while.

I hope that makes things a little clearer, Fred. For me, treating p and psa is like walking through a forest blindfolded. It is an excellent drug, but it is not set and forget.

Cheers

Yes that helps Bill. I keep forgetting that you go up with the likes of Fumaderm and then start coming down to arrive at a maintenance.

Thank you.

[Bill]

I had a blood test last Friday, with the following results:



I am fairly sure now that there is a relation of the neutrophil and lymphocyte counts to B vitamins and iron. I will test this idea. I have reduced my dosage of dimethyl fumarate to 630 mg and take this dosage about five times a fortnight. The lower dose has milder side effects while maintaining good control of my psoriasis and arthritis. I am no longer pre-dosing with n-acetyl cysteine as I am doubtful as to whether it is of benefit.

Cheers

[Caroline]

You mean that neutrophil and lymphocytes go down when you supply vit B and iron?

[Bill]

I think that both drop when I don't supplement. There may even be some benefit from the n-acetyl cysteine, but I will take it at other times.

Cheers

[Caroline]

I think that both drop when I don't supplement. There may even be some benefit from the n-acetyl cysteine, but I will take it at other times.

Cheers

Okay, then it is clear.
Very important to know their effects and be very clear about it.

Cheers
Caroline

[Bill]

It isn't easy to determine, Caroline. The only plus from the 0.9 lymphocyte count is that I get to test again in six weeks instead of three months. Regarding the n-acetyl cysteine, I stopped taking it some months ago, then noted elevated liver enzymes in the January test. In the last test only ALT was slightly elevated, so it leaves me scratching my head wondering whether my large DMF doses were a contributor and/or the cysteine was protective. It is quite exasperating.

[jiml]

I'm pleased to read that your psoriasis and arthritis are well under control using the DMF Bill

It's a problem to know the cause of higher than normal liver readings Bill, my serum ALT levels are fairy consistent through the time I've been keeping records and my ALT level is 21 which it's usually around there
Which makes me think it's possibly not the DMF but perhaps a supplement raising the level

But I'm just surmising as I'm not a doctor and only have my own records to compare with
The lymphocyte count is not far off normal and everything else looks good

[Bill]

Your guess is as good as mine, Jim. It is harder in the real world than it is in the land of make believe.

[jiml]

It certainly is Bill

I just had a call from my doctor about my blood test I had yesterday bear in mind last month my lymphocytes were 1.22 had a test yesterday and they are down to 0.82

Nothings changed with me no infection that I'm aware of and no change in habits or eating . .so why the change I can't imagine  

[Caroline]

It certainly is Bill

I just had a call from my doctor about my blood test I had yesterday bear in mind last month my lymphocytes were 1.22 had a test yesterday and they are down to 0.82

Nothings changed with me no infection that I'm aware of and no change in habits or eating . .so why the change I can't imagine  

Are you a bit sniffy? A little flu perhaps?