Starting MTX

[Fred]

Good news Mate. It's all about management and once you get it under control life becomes a lot better. You are right Methotrexate is not a cure, but then again nothing will cure psoriasis.

If you're happy without the Dovobet then I would stay that way. Dovobet can thin the skin, so best to hold it in reserve if needed.

Long may it continue.

[D Foster]

Well I had my 3 monthly check up and all is well. I saw the senior consultant and now I only need bloods done before my next appointment in 3 months. No interim tests as they are happy with the results.

I have a tiny bt of psoriasis on my elbows and a very small patch appeared on my abdomen but I can live with all of that. As I said in a previous post it is not a cure but alleviates the disease to what, at least for me, is an acceptable level where I can wear my tshirts and shorts etc. I still have a few small patches on my butt however nobody except Mrs Pingu is seeing those.

Technically she is not Mrs Pingu as we are not married, I like to keep her on her toes!  

So all going well at present.

They recomend I use the Dovobet on those little areas but really I am quite happy the way it all is at present.

That's really good pingu , I do think that for some people it's a good treatment , Dovobet stopped working for me and my Stelara is starting to drag it's feet so they have given me Enstilar to try on the stubborn patches.

[pingu]

Interesting about the Dovobet, I was lead to believe the ointment was no longer available however my consultant says it is but just harder to come by.

As for my use of Dovobet once it went to gel it pretty much stopped working for me and that is where my frustration began and I requested a referral.

I don't need to use it, I had one set back where I went from private to NHS and the psoriasis started to come back. But as is reflected here in the forum not everyone gets on with different treatments. I guess that I am lucky. It is working, It is a little disappointing that my GP was happy o simply keep prescribing Dovobet and not refer me until I asked but I guess that's the NHS.

Happy now that I have skin I can live with, some minor patches not tanning on holiday but what the heck, tiny 1-2mm blobs. Zero side effects to the point I forget my folic acid too often.

The forum has been a massive help and the support of all has been great. Genuinely appreciate you guys.

[Fred]

The forum has been a massive help and the support of all has been great. Genuinely appreciate you guys.

Good to hear. We appreciate you taking time to update as you too are helping others in return.

[Bill]

Glad to see you doing well, Pingu. I share your frustration with those last few patches. Very annoying!

Cheers,

Bill

[Caroline]

Technically she is not Mrs Pingu as we are not married, I like to keep her on her toes!  

Congratulations that all is going well ! Keep on going like that.

I disassemble from this that you like being kept on your toes.....

[pingu]

@Bill I would say that the disappointment is pretty low level. After all it as alleviated 90% of my frustration if not more so great results all round.

@Caroline It is a healthy keeping me on my toes as it keeps our relationship alive.

[pingu]

Well I have been extremely busy in work on a project hence not having anytime here. Having had only 2 days off since the start of October, very tired and very stressed. A little of my psoriasis has returned but only in very small patches that I put down to stress.

My last consultant appointment this week I missed my bloods so had them the same day with the consultant taking a look at the results the next day pending a prescription.

Unfortunately one of my liver enzymes has shot up to 3 times its previous level so they have declined anymore MTX until I have another blood test this week.

My consultant has been awesome, understanding my difficulties with work and taking the time to call me personally as well as dropping blood forms through my door as they live near me which is in my opinion above and beyond my expectation. They asked if I had been drinking a lot which I haven't. Possibly a few beers a week but now I am having a dry week and eating very healthily to try and get my bloods sorted.

Possibly the end of my MTX journey but slightly worrying as to what treatment next. I guess being in the system now helps in that I wont go back on topicals and will get something that is effective in reducing or maintaining my psoriasis at an acceptable level.

Any advice on what treatment next greatly appreciated.

[D Foster]

Stelara Pingu , its fantastic and a life saver . 9 years on mtx after which the P came back with a vengeance after the second injection at 12 weeks all gone and 5 years later still clear. I am just starting to get a few small patches but I have been under a great amount of stress in the last couple of months.

[Fred]

Any advice on what treatment next greatly appreciated.

They may still want you to try another oral first, but I would push for Stelara. It's only one shot every three months (handy for working away) and gives excellent results.