Acitretin journey!

[Kat]

Glad you put up a picture, it will help you to know how well the Acitretin works for you as you will have a comparison.  I know that for me, the first few weeks I didn't notice any change, it wasn't until around 6 weeks that I started to notice a difference and then (in my case) it improved quickly.  So if you don't notice a lot of improvement at first, don't despair!

And you don't have to be self conscious here with pictures, that's what is great about being here, people understand. (plus Fred will hunt down anyone that tries to use a picture from here and I wouldn't want to be them!)

Thanks for the reply Kat!  I have been on Acitretin for just over 2 weeks now! I haven't noticed much change except maybe the patches are a little flatter!!....but like you say its early days yet and at least I have no side affects at all...yet!!!! :-)  I have a dermatologist appointment in 4 weeks so I will take another picture to compare as it will be 6 weeks by then!!!!
I am not too self conscious at the moment because I guess I am lucky nothing shows when I am fully clothed!!!!! :-)

I hope you get good results from the Acitretin.  I may have had some mild side effects like dryer lips and a bit more hair showing up on the brush than normal, but it's hard to say as I was looking for them.  I was also on UV treatments during the time I took Acitretin.   My dermatologist gave me the okay to come off of it and see how it goes.  So far, so good.  I do have some small patches but currently am using topicals to help.  Nice to know I can go back on it if needed though.

I do worry about my hair!!!....I keep looking in the shower!!!.... Vanity eh!!!.....I still use dovobet on any small patches!.... and  the lotion on my scalp!! and my face

I think we all have our vanity moments. Scalp and ears have been the most difficult for me, and I had a patch on my face but it wasn't so bad and make up pretty much covered it. I was lucky to only have a few small outbreaks on my arms and legs, the worst of it I was able to cover, except the scalp scaling which was awful. I'm still a bit self conscious when I wear black but at least I am back to being able to wear dark colors again.

Look forward to hearing updates in the near future and wishing you much success with your treatments.

[fingers]

Ok everyone! It's been exactly 4 weeks since I started my Acitretin journey!  they said I should see results after 12 weeks and it could get worse before it gets better!  well I think it has spread but it seems a lot flatter! your thoughts and comments are welcome! :-) 

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EDIT By Fred: Removed extra IMG codes to make photo look better.

[Fred]

Ok everyone! It's been exactly 4 weeks since I started my Acitretin journey!  they said I should see results after 12 weeks and it could get worse before it gets better!  well I think it has spread but it seems a lot flatter! your thoughts and comments are welcome! :-) 

I would say it's looking a little less raised, and although it could be the lighting in the image it does look less red too. But yes it does also look like it has started to join up, this can happen when starting some treatments but best to keep a close eye on it as although it may be flatter there is no point in having more even if it is flatter.

Personally I would take another look in a couple of weeks and if it is joining up more I would give them a call and see what they say, I've never used Acitretin myself so this could be something normal but I wouldn't be happy seeing it joining up.

Just my thoughts.

[jiml]

Well fingers it certainly looks smoother, but is certainly spreading more. But it is still early yet
Having not used Acetretin I'm not sure how it should look after 4 weeks but taking photographs is a sure way to be sure of any changes
I wouldn't worry to much yet, but as Fred says if it keeps spreading I would have a chat with your dermatologist, but as I say I would leave it another couple of weeks that will prove if the flattening is the psoriasis clearing or actually getting worse ..... I suspect it's quite normal
I'm sure an Acetretin user may know better

[Kat]

I was also told it might get a bit worse before it gets better, but I don't recall if it became worse or not. I know I was getting impatient waiting for an improvement and was afraid that it wasn't going to work for me, but it did. It was around the 6 week mark and another forum member here that was on Acitretin was around six weeks as well. I would definitely keep an eye on it and it's great that you have pictures that show what is happening during treatment. Hopefully you'll see some improvement in the next couple of weeks.

[D Foster]

Do you use anything else fingers such as an emollient cream or even something like a mild Betnovate.
It looks much flatter and sometimes I found that even though it looked bigger when it started to get flatter it really was not that much.
Best of luck with it , it is difficult to compare as we all react differently .

[fingers]

Thank you all for your replies and comments!!!  I have a dermatologist appointment in 2 weeks so I shall see what they say!!!......I do have a good feeling about Acitretin!!!... as I have had no side effects at all!!!!!!! :-)  hopefully theycan tell if its working by then!..if not I think they will give it 12 weeks then try something else!
I do use an emoliant cream twice daily also!.

[PurpleMusic]

Afternoon Fingers, afternoon all....

Today I start my acitretin journey too.....never used it before, in fact I've never taken anything orally before......but my back/front pretty much covered now... And well done on the pic front too Fingers, got me thinking I might start taking some too over the course of the treatment...

Now, alcohol I'm advised should be limited to one pint a day... (I don't drink everyday anyway) but does that mean i could have 2 or 3 at the weekend if I've not drank in the week? Does it work like that? Anyone know?

[jiml]

Hi purplemusic good news you are getting acetretin. I've not been on it myself but many in here have and may be able to answer your alcohol question. I'm sure you will find people happy to tell of their experience
I wish you good luck, it is a very effective treatment and I hope it's good for you

May I suggest to enable you to follow your progress easily that you start a new thread in prescribed treatments board. It will be easier for you to follow click here to start if you wish Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis

[PurpleMusic]

Thanks Jim and have done!