End of my tether

[Fred]

Hello Sandra, photo's are easy. Here is a tutorial [Group Specific] if not ask Jim to explain as he needs something to do these days.

The headache, muscle pain, etc may not be down to the Acitretin, but the only way to find out is to keep going with it for a while. If it's still the same a couple of weeks down the line then it could be, but it sounds like they are looking after you well so I would just follow what they say for now.

Sorry to hear about your dog, but snuggle up with him and enjoy your week reading your book and drinking your tea. That alone will help.

[Kat]

Sorry to hear about the possible side effects you're having. Hopefully they get it all sorted out for you and you can continue forward.

Hope your little dog is feeling better.

[Sandra]

Hi Fred
Unfortunately I didn't get the choice in continuing, I wanted to but consultant said no. G.p. Checked me over definitely not a virus and confirmed with consultant that it is side effects from meds. G.p. Concerned enough that she has insisted I go sick for 2 weeks! It is the headaches that are the concern not fatigue or muscle pain.
I am still hoping that next week the consultant will just adjust the dosage as my skin is incredible, I reckon it would have only taken another week or two and I would have been clear.
So all I can do is wait and see.

Murphy (dog) is doing fine and milking it for all its worth! Will only take his antibiotics with a lump of cheese!

Anyway I'll let you all know what the consultant decides next week.

Sandra

[jiml]

I was wondering if there had been any news and whether you were able to stay on acetretin or if you have gone onto a different therapy?

[Sandra]

Hi Jim
Sorry I haven't been in touch. Unfortunately I became very unwell on the acitretin. I still have some tests to go as it appears to have damaged my kidneys. Worse because of the symptoms being similar they will also be looking for cancer. Most other issues have resolved now that I am no longer taking it. So it really is a case of waiting for Cystoscopy test to see what the damage is. After this I will not be taking anymore drugs for psoriasis, just creams. My worst fear of these drugs occurred and for me it is now a case of, no matter how bad the psoriasis is, I just need to put up with it and stop moaning! Although the consultant wants me to try other Meds, (if the test results are o.k.) I have said no. I have this test on 1/3/16 and have told them that it makes no sense to me to continue to use/try something with potentially serious side effects some of which I have already experienced with Acitretin.
Because of this drug I was unable to work for over a month, though I cannot deny it really helped my skin. For me it's time to call it a day.
So I am back at work, Spring is in the air and I am already pottering in my greenhouse. How about you? Things o.k?
Sandra

[Caroline]

That is very bad to read Sandra.
I can imagine you going of the tablets and not wanting them anymore.
But very weird, the signals in the direction of cancer. I hope for you this will be only the signals and that they will fall to the good side for you.

Is it possible to have a view of why and how and how worse your kidneys could have been damaged?

Caroline

[jiml]

Hi Jim
Sorry I haven't been in touch. Unfortunately I became very unwell on the acitretin. I still have some tests to go as it appears to have damaged my kidneys. Worse because of the symptoms being similar they will also be looking for cancer. Most other issues have resolved now that I am no longer taking it. So it really is a case of waiting for Cystoscopy test to see what the damage is. After this I will not be taking anymore drugs for psoriasis, just creams. My worst fear of these drugs occurred and for me it is now a case of, no matter how bad the psoriasis is, I just need to put up with it and stop moaning! Although the consultant wants me to try other Meds, (if the test results are o.k.) I have said no. I have this test on 1/3/16 and have told them that it makes no sense to me to continue to use/try something with potentially serious side effects some of which I have already experienced with Acitretin.
Because of this drug I was unable to work for over a month, though I cannot deny it really helped my skin. For me it's time to call it a day.
So I am back at work, Spring is in the air and I am already pottering in my greenhouse. How about you? Things o.k?
Sandra

I noticed you online yesterday so thought I would ask, you have had a rough time of it, and it certainly seems your body doesn't like  acetretin, I hope the kidney damage isn't to serious, and there is no cancer....were you monitored while on acetretin?
I understand your reluctance to take anything else, that is of course your choice, although I would hope another drug would be less harmful  
Yes you certainly expressed those fears here and I was one that encouraged you to take the plunge,
So I won't try to encourage you on to any other treatment


I'm glad you are recovering, do you know what damage has been done?
I'm glad you are back at work, this must have been a nightmare for you,please keep us informed of your progress,
How's your skin at the moment has the psoriasis returned ?
I wish you better health in the future Sandra and do stay in touch  

[Bill]

Your problems seem to have developed rapidly. Are you aware of any contra-indications to your taking acitretin? The lists are readily available. It might be worth checking.

[Grizzly Bear]

You poor lady you Sandra.

Sorry to see you were unwell.

I remember when i was on cyclosporine, that use to make me very unwell so i can sympathise.

I hope things improve for you  


Here, have some glittery online flowers from us lot on here..............

[Sandra]

Hi all,
I'll try to answer all your queries.
I went back on acitretin on a lower dose, unfortunately it resulted in severe and constant headaches, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, lowered my blood pressure so I was passing out and then the big one was blood and raised white blood cell count discovered in urine.
At the moment they believe it is the acitretin as discontinuation has resolved everything accept the kidneys. So I have to have a test for kidneys which is next week. They will also be looking for cancer as in cancer of the kidneys you also get bleeding and raised white blood cells. For no other reason than that are they looking for cancer. I won't know anything further until I attend the urology department next week, they have been great in rushing this through. I dont know the extent of damage if any at this point, just that there is a problem with the kidneys.
I can honestly say, I have never felt so ill and yet as I said previously, my skin was great. Obviously the psoriasis is coming back but I have now resigned myself to that's how it is. I won't ever again take any oral medications to treat it. I'm sure I will be fine but due to the fright it has given me, I think psoriasis is the lesser of 2 evils.

So next week I shall be all prepared for lights, camera, action, (all three are in this test) and hope they get my good side! I'll let you know the results.

Thank you all for your concern and the flowers.
Sandra