Acitrecin - week 1

[jiml]

Hi folks. Wanted to give you an update on my progress since starting Acitretin some 7 mos ago. I remain clear with the occasional stray spot or two here and there, but the spots are no bigger than the size of an eraser head and if I get one or two a month that's it.  My doctor has reduced my dosage from 25 mg a day to 20 mg a day (about a month ago). I've had no problems with my cholesterol and no side effects to speak of after adjusting to initially being on this medication. It's been phenomenal being flake free, having a clear scalp, clear legs clear torso clear arms and even the white spots are beginning to fade. I'm confident that I will be able to wear shorts sleeves again come spring and summer.

Looking back, I am very glad I made the decision to stop topical steroids as I do think they were making the condition worse. I haven't used any topical creams of any kind steroid or other wise since I stopped using topicals a few months ago.  As for my diet, I pretty much eat everything and anything I want. I don't restrict my consumption of alcohol and I can't say that I see flares after eating any particular food. The medication is doing it's job.  I realize that I will probably be on this medication for the rest of my life but given my side effects were very minimal and I've had good, albeit, slow progress there's no reason for me to stop.

Psoriasis really did a number on me mentally and emotionally in terms of my self-worth given that I had it extensively including on my face. It is hard for me to even imagine going back to having the coverage I had and being as uncomfortable as I was constantly. The flakes are just a memory. the burning raised patches that covered my entire torso are just a memory. Spending hours scratching peeling bleeding digging out my scalp, I'll just a memory. Seems like it was someone else's life and not mine.

Would love to hear from others on this medication Long term. Kat, how's it going for you?

Great news Kelly.... I'm so glad the acetretin is doing its job on you. You certainly sound a lot more positive and I'm glad you are back to eating and drinking normally. Yes psoriasis can have a terrible effect on our self esteem, a fact a lot of dermatologists don't seem to take into account
And yes the topicals in hindsight were a big mistake .... One you won't make again,
I think you are wise not to think of stopping the treatment. Psoriasis is  always lurking, I would not dare stop my treatment either
Thanks for the update it's great to see you back  

[Fred]

If you are looking for new posts in this thread I have moved them here: Tablets to help with psoriasis

[jiml]

If you are looking for new posts in this thread I have moved them here: Tablets to help with psoriasis

This was because the thread had been taken off topic   back on topic
Was wondering Kelly if you are still taking the acetretin, and if you are still clear?

[limitless]

Hi Everyone,  

Hope life is treating you all kind.. I am a male in my mid thirties and had been suffering now for a few years... I have been put on Acitretin since yesterday and feeling very depressed as heard a lot of bad things about it. I have tried every thing from  moisturisers  to oral steroids and light therapy but nothing seems to working and now Acitretin..I would appreciate if  any one can share their  experience with Acitretin. Currently I am on a 25 mg tab..

Thanks

P.S. was directed to this thread by jiml ...thx jiml

[kh924]

Hi Limitless. I am a soon to be 52 year old female diagnosed a year ago with psoriasis and was put on Acetritin a year ago. Like you, I was concerned because of all the side effects. I had dry lips for the first few weeks but that was about it. It is a slow acting med. I was also started on 25 mg. It took a good 12 weeks for me to get clear but I am still clear today (And my coverage was quite extensive). My cholesterol remains level and I do not have any dietary restrictions. I drink alcohol as often as I want. No side effects to mention a year in.

This medicine was a miracle drug for me. I hope it works as well for you,
Best
Kelly

[Kat]

Hi Everyone,  

Hope life is treating you all kind.. I am a male in my mid thirties and had been suffering now for a few years... I have been put on Acitretin since yesterday and feeling very depressed as heard a lot of bad things about it. I have tried every thing from  moisturisers  to oral steroids and light therapy but nothing seems to working and now Acitretin..I would appreciate if  any one can share their  experience with Acitretin. Currently I am on a 25 mg tab..

Thanks

P.S. was directed to this thread by jiml ...thx jiml

Acitretin worked wonders for me as well. Like Kelly said, it did take some time to notice it working, but once you start seeing results it goes quickly. I hope you get good results. I think you can hear bad things about most any treatment so try to focus on getting clear and go from there. In my case, the doctor took me off Acitretin once I was clear to see how I'd do without it and I do have some small patches that I treat topically but so far I'm still doing well. I wouldn't hesitate to go back on it if I needed to. Each case is different though.

[numpty23]

ive been on acetretin since april 2016 in clear for the first time in 20yrs. still have dry lips but my hair is falling out in clumps. yet I think being clear no pain no bleeding able to do normal things wear shorts bathing costume go swimming etc has to outway the hair loss n a member on hear kindly told me my hair will grow back so happy days I hope

[kh924]

Hi Numpty,
I did experience some hair thinning/loss on Acitretin. I also had some other issues that likely contributed to hair loss like extreme stress over the loss of a child, very poor diet, cancer & divorce all at the same time as getting psoriasis. I can tell you that I started taking fish oil capsules (3 of the big ones, 3x a day) and biotin 3x a day a few months ago. I don't know if it's because of the supplements, if it's because my life stressors and health issues have calmed down or if it's just that my psoriasis is in a remission mode but my hair is a lot better. I used to have a pile of it in the shower every morning and could feel it hitting my shoulders/chest (falling out) when I put my makeup on in the morning before I got dressed. It hadn't been that way in a long time.

There is a great product called Toppik for thinning areas. Works well but is a little messy to apply. I use a lot less of it these days than I used to.

I know it's hard as a woman to deal with hair loss. Hang in there.