Bill's pure dimethylfumarate thread

[jiml]

Hi Bill shame the arthritis is creeping back, a wise move I think not to wait until it is really bad,
Glad the official blood tests show your blood is still in good condition with the lymphocytes still within the normal range..... It also shows your DIY  counts aren't far off ,( not bad for a back shed chemist    )

I look forward to hearing how your body reacts to the reintroduction of the DMF after a five week break
Good luck and thanks for the update ..... I'm tempted to try the cysteine route as an experiment to see if I can reduce my fumaderm .... Perhaps later

[Fred]

I guess a DIY blood count can never be as accurate as a Lab one, so it is a good idea to have a Lab check now and then.

I know that feeling of "being reminded of a place you do not wish to return to" psoriatic arthritis is the worst part of it for me as it physically stops you, whereas psoriasis only psychologically stops you.

Be interesting to see how quick you notice a difference again.

Thank you for keeping your thread updated Bill, it's not something I would try but I do like reading your progress.

[Bill]

Thanks Jim. Better to nip it in the bud. If all the parameters are good with DMF that is great, but I there is a big advantage to minimising the dose. I dont want to be in the situation of dicing with a lymphopenia for the sake of controlling the disease.

Thanks Fred.

I thought my diy counts would be an underestimate, but I had also set higher counts at which to stop taking DMF. As you know I am also cautious and will cease taking the drug with a cold or any symptoms of reduced immunity. The latest break from DMF has been very good, both from the fact that my skin has remained very clear (my PASI would be around 0.1) and because the slight stiffening of my spine suggests that I may be able to make further progress with a resumption.

Cheers,

Bill

[Bill]

A brief update. I have observed that taking raw DMF with cysteine almost eliminates the side effects (tummy ache and flush). As cysteine is very reactive, it is likely that it is conjugating with the DMF via a Michael addition. Hopefully there is no change in the efficacy. I will continue taking DMF with cysteine and see what happens.

Cheers,

Bill

[jiml]

A brief update. I have observed that taking raw DMF with cysteine almost eliminates the side effects (tummy ache and flush). As cysteine is very reactive, it is likely that it is conjugating with the DMF via a Michael addition. Hopefully there is no change in the efficacy. I will continue taking DMF with cysteine and see what happens.

Cheers,

Bill

That's very interesting Bill, so you seem to have found something to ease the side effects... That's a good observation I hope it continues
It may be something for others to consider if they are struggling with fumaderm side effects

[Bill]

I dont think it would help much, Jim. The tablet form is slow release, so the cysteine would be long gone by the time it would be needed. Only good with the raw stuff.

Cheers,

Bill

[jiml]

I dont think it would help much, Jim. The tablet form is slow release, so the cysteine would be long gone by the time it would be needed. Only good with the raw stuff.

Cheers,

Bill

Wouldn't getting it into your system be effective long term?

[Bill]

I dont know. It would depend on what happens to the DMF/cysteine conjugate. Is it readily absorbed, and if so is the conjugate then cleaved to release DMF and cysteine, or are other metabolites produced? Hopefully it is the former, but I can only find out by trying it. I have no problem with the lack of side effects.

Cheers,

Bill

[Fred]

Thank you for the update Bill, I may be talking out of my bum here, but have you ever thought of trying to make your own slow release capsule ?

[Caroline]

Or find a slow release cysteine tablet...