[split] Psoriasis, arthritis, and tendon issues

[Bill]

DMF acts slowly, but I have had continuous improvement in my arthritis (less pain and greater flexibility), so the overall effect has been very substantial. A bit of tummy upset a few times a week is no big deal, but to each his own.

Cheers,

Bill

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EDIT By Fred: This is a split from this thread: Psoriasis, arthritis, and tendon issues

[mataribot]

There isn't any evidence to support it works axial disease. There isn't a pill on the market that researched based that has shown any efficiency stopping or slowing down joint damage in the back. Now the definition of PsA is vargue; most Rheumatologists don't even consider back problems to be PsA, but the diagnosis allows them to be aggressive with treatment.

I will reserve my choice in matter until I see some research suggesting it works for the back. And if do decide to try it, it will be done through an FDA approval.

[Bill]

There may not be evidence for DMF treating the spinal arthropathy of psoriasis, but that hasn't stopped it working for me. A few years ago I would lie on a flat surface and my head would not get much closer to it than twenty centimetres. Getting up afterwards was slow and painful. Now I can get my head to less than seven centimetres from the surface and get up quickly and with little pain. My aim at present is to be able to lie flat within a year. I also use an inversion table to help me stretch - no evidence that they do anything either -, although these days stretching my back without aids is a much easier task. My consumption of analgesics has fallen by nearly 95%.

I am glad I did not start taking DMF with the learned opinion that it would do nothing for my spine. My ignorance appears to have helped me greatly.

Cheers,

Bill

[Caroline]

I agree with Bill, Mati, at least it can be tried with DMF. Just because it is quite harmless (do keep an eye on the lympho's though), would be great if it came available in the states also, but I fear for the price for you.

My experience with DMF for my PSA is also very good.

Tried to follow your strategy Bill, because I read elsewhere that someone using Psorinovo did that also and had good results.
So lowered for a few day and then took a higher dose after a few day. Unfortunately it was no success, already after a few days my feet started to hurt, so I got back to my normal dose and now free from pain again.

[Bill]

Good for you, Caroline. Usage guidelines will hopefully do the job, but if they do not then there is a point at which you and your specialist have to work out what is best for you. I am curious to know how much faster the raw form that I take is absorbed. The flushing is quite intense so it must absorb within a few hours, but as I associate it with efficacy I am little troubled with it. The tummy upset is the major hassle, but I think that my fault of late as I have been taking the drug with curries. Sometimes I get very little upset. Without treatment my arthritis starts to rev up after about four days.

Cheers,

Bill

[mataribot]

At the moment I am not interested in DMF. It's my body and just saying no. If Consentxy fails, I'll move on to stuff in Rheumotolgoy.

I only care about the copay cost to me. As long as I can afford that, it's not my problem what it cost the insurance company.

[Bill]

Safe and effective treatment is what we all want. I dont relate my experiences with the desire that all should do as I do: Treatment is clearly a personal choice. I was more concerned that you were claiming that DMF did nothing for axial arthritis. For me it has helped greatly.

I hope you get good results.

Cheers,

Bill

[mataribot]

Nope, I do claim anything. We all know it works well for plaque. I just have not read anything DMF and SpA. Doesn't mean that doesn't exist, just not seen any. I am sure there are trials here in the USA for psoriasis, PsA, and AS.

I never meant for this thread to get so far off topic. I am frustrated little camper. I'm just tired of the idea that their exist one treatment that is cure everything. Cimzia worked well for the back. Stelara worked well for skin (until it stopped working).

[Caroline]

Nope, I do claim anything. We all know it works well for plaque. I just have not read anything DMF and SpA. Doesn't mean that doesn't exist, just not seen any. I am sure there are trials here in the USA for psoriasis, PsA, and AS.

I never meant for this thread to get so far off topic. I am frustrated little camper. I'm just tired of the idea that their exist one treatment that is cure everything. Cimzia worked well for the back. Stelara worked well for skin (until it stopped working).

Sorry to keep it off topic still.
Over here in the Netherlands we already know for long time that DMF works for psoriasis, arthritic psoriasis (PSA), MS, Chrohns disease, lichen sclerosis, and ... But not for sure yet, for other auto immune diseases, so perhaps it would also work for rheumatic arthritis... Though this knowledge is limited to doctors that have an extreme open mind, and a limited community of psoriasis sufferers, the regular derms and doctors don't have a clue yet. And are mostly not interested as they are following there standardised protocol.