High dose of Fumaderm

[jiml]

Nothing in today's post. Have emailed so shall get weekend over and then see what else I can do. With Xmas coming we really do need to discuss iron and also the high dose of Fumaderm - ideally I think he should now go down from 6 to 4 a day because psoriasis is under control but need to see Dermo and still waiting for that appointment - one yesterday was with geriatric consultant who is overseeing the anaemia/weight loss. Sorry for the moan - I do feel the staff in the NHS do their best but the system is a nightmare. A few weeks ago we were told we would have a phone consultation then I got an appointment for same day at the infirmary for Eric - I phoned to check to be told ' computer cannot deal with phone consultations so it sends out appointments'. This is a Geriatric Department - not everyone will phone to check so Eric could easily have turned up a the  hospital when it was actually a phone consultation!.

Yes you need to discuss with the dermatologist the way forward ,  you say his psoriasis is under control now, so it is a good time to reduce his dose but I would be inclined to drop one tablet at a time. To see how it goes rather than dropping 2 straight away...... Is he having any intestinal cramps, flushes or sickness ?  Do you know if his blood results are ok, what is his white blood count and his lymphocyte levels. Just ask the specialist if they are within the normal range .i record mine so I can see if things are working ok and if they are trending up or down.

Quish it sounds as if you are having a struggle getting any joined up thinking from the NHS it's very worrying for you and Eric. Do keep coming back we really don't mind you moaning we all do our share of moaning on here, it sometimes helps to get it down in writing

[Closed account 1259]

Thanks I will ask for this information but it was ok on the last blood test but I would like to see the figures because can then at least know if it is stable or going down. I also have only one more piece of paperwork to have the blood test carried out so need to sort something out - hope the next appointment comes through and then maybe we can go back to monthly tests.
Re the tummy problems, he is having some very bad tummy pains and constipation and diahorria. But his diet is appalling frankly - getting him to eat is a nightmare and it could well be this and the iron that is the cause. He has so many co morbidities that I frankly do not think it is the Fumaderm but of course, cannot be sure, which is why I would like him on the lowest dose possible to control things....
Yes I do struggle with the NHS although the Geriatric consultant is trying to get the GP, Urologist and the Dermo to talk to one another and he is at least overseeing the tablets - he has taken Eric off the blood pressure ones. He did try with the irritable bladder ones but he had to go back on those!
Thanks for listening - I know you may well have gone through or be going through similar frustrations. Eric is not an easy patient and I often find pills left in his pill box, although I do try to remind him to take them!
Helena

[Caroline]

Hi Helena,

Yes, makes sense to go slowly down from 6 to 4 tablets.
This may also help in the cramps he has. Normally DMF leads to diarrhoea sometimes, but I think the other way around, the constipation is more due to the iron.
It's difficult for you both to have to be dealing with all this complex situations. But you can always come over here and express your thoughts to us, also moaning is ok . We will always listen to you and think with you on how to proceed.



Caroline