Fumaderm side effects - remedies?

[Fleurgiddy]

Good morning everyone 

I'm looking for some recommendations for controlling the side effects I'm getting with Fumaderm. I've just finished the initial course where I suffered cramps and nausea, which passed quickly and I managed with a dose of liver salts when necessary.

Last night I took the first dose of 120 mg, and woke up early this morning with the worst cramps and nausea which led to vomiting for Wales (where I live ).  This has happened before though never as bad as today. They've passed now and I feel great!  My concern is that I start a new job next week and I really need to curb these side effects as much as possible not to allow it to affect it.

Can current Fumaderm users recommend may over the counter remedies that may prevent the severity of these side affects? I've still got a lot of increase in doseing to go and its worrying me a bit...

Thank you 

[jiml]

Good morning everyone 

I'm looking for some recommendations for controlling the side effects I'm getting with Fumaderm. I've just finished the initial course where I suffered cramps and nausea, which passed quickly and I managed with a dose of liver salts when necessary.

Last night I took the first dose of 120 mg, and woke up early this morning with the worst cramps and nausea which led to vomiting for Wales (where I live ).  This has happened before though never as bad as today. They've passed now and I feel great!  My concern is that I start a new job next week and I really need to curb these side effects as much as possible not to allow it to affect it.

Can current Fumaderm users recommend may over the counter remedies that may prevent the severity of these side affects? I've still got a lot of increase in doseing to go and its worrying me a bit...

Thank you 

Hi fleurgiddy, what you are getting is not uncommon I had the severe cramps myself, when I started on the treatment, I can assure you it will get easier if you can stick with it. We are here to advise and help you through the difficulties and make suggestions that should help
First are you taking your tablet food, not just a snack?
Are you takiing it with plenty of fluid I take mine with a couple of cups of coffee
Others have suggested taking it with yogurt ( not something I have done as I hate yogurt)
Hope that may help a bit if not let us know and we will think of other things
Good luck
Jim

[Fleurgiddy]

Hi Jim, how are you? Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm taking them with meals and drinking plenty of fluids. I'm determined to stick with it and I do believe they will pass. This morning was definitely the worst, and its the first time they have actually made me sick, though the cramps subsided afterwards. Did you find anything helped you through this phase?

[jiml]

Hi Jim, how are you? Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm taking them with meals and drinking plenty of fluids. I'm determined to stick with it and I do believe they will pass. This morning was definitely the worst, and its the first time they have actually made me sick, though the cramps subsided afterwards. Did you find anything helped you through this phase?

Hi I'm fine but not liking the cold damp weather at the moment
To be honest I wasn't lucky enough to belong to this forum when I started on Fumaderm. I only found it after I had been on it for a year.
I was warned of the side effects, but after poison methotrexate I felt I would suffer any side effect rather than go back to that.

So I just toughed it out and some of the cramps were severe and doubled me up with pain, but it was never long lasting with me and it never made me sick.
I found that the side effects peaked but didn't get more severe, and after a couple of months they started to reduce as my body stopped fighting it

The cramping and flushes are a sign your body is adapting to fumaderm and it is beginning to work

I'm glad you are going to stick with it, and knowing it will get better should help and we here on psoriasiclub are a good support network for you and will help as much as possible
Jim

[Fleurgiddy]

I agree with the methotrexate! Anything is better and its why I'm determined to keep at it. I think I'll have a chat with my pharmacist, I'm sure they will be able to recommend something  .

I can't wait to start seeing the results, it'll make it all worthwhile  .

The weather is miserable here too! Keep yourself warm and cozy 

Thanks for the support!

[jiml]

I agree with the methotrexate! Anything is better and its why I'm determined to keep at it. I think I'll have a chat with my pharmacist, I'm sure they will be able to recommend something  .

I can't wait to start seeing the results, it'll make it all worthwhile  .

The weather is miserable here too! Keep yourself warm and cozy 

Thanks for the support!

No problem just stick with it, you are among friends who have the disease and are trying to get it under control , fumaderm has done for me what no other drug has and given me long term clearance of my skin, so after nearly 50 years of suffering I have been able for the last four years to live a "normal" life

Summers in shorts and t shirts.  Swimming in public places it's so nice after so many years sitting on the sidelines and constantly clearing a trail of flakes

Enjoy your time here, you have found the best place to be if you have to have psoriasis.
There is also an active off topic section if you want something other than psoriasis to talk about  

[Caroline]

Did you already try the yoghurt trick?

The idea is to encapsulate the Fumaderm, DMF, pills in the yoghurt substance. Therefore the release effect in the intestines is slower. The slower this happens the better.

I still wonder myself I bit that you almost had to vomit. That should mean that there is still stuff in your stomach. As Jim says, float it through as good as possible to your intestines.

It is hard for me to advise as I am on a different pill with a slow release in it, so I don't have those cramps. Maybe there are other thinks to get it at least passing your stomach. When you are going to a higher dose, you might spread it over the day, although that is opposite to the idea that a "pulsed" use, a high dose followed by nothing, works the best.

[Fleurgiddy]

I shall try the yoghurt trick today, cheers. I did have a bad about of indigestion last night which may have led to the vomiting, but I've been feeling nausea all the way through so its not surprising it actually made me sick at some point.

I can't wait to be able to wear whatever clothes I choose, to shop and buy what I like rather than what hides my skin the best! It'll be like the best gift ever - a normal life   .

[Caroline]

I shall try the yoghurt trick today, cheers. I did have a bad about of indigestion last night which may have led to the vomiting, but I've been feeling nausea all the way through so its not surprising it actually made me sick at some point.

I can't wait to be able to wear whatever clothes I choose, to shop and buy what I like rather than what hides my skin the best! It'll be like the best gift ever - a normal life   .

If it works for you and the side effects become manageable, you have a 70% chance, then the effect will be excellent.
The nausea feeling is recognisable by me, it's something I learned to ignore, as I know that I am not sick, but it is just the medicine. So now, if I am really sick, I also ignore that

[Bill]

Hi Fleurgiddy,

I take the active ingredient in Fumaderm, DMF, as a purified powder and in a large dosage (800 mg). I find dairy good and avoid spicy foods, even onion, and bananas (not sure why, but they cause me big trouble with DMF). I also tend to have it with a bulky meal like a salad (coleslaw or ratatouille would also work). My symptoms declined very considerably with persistence. but if it gets really tough there is nothing wrong with taking a break once in a while. I did. It has done wonders for me and works as well as ever after three years.

Cheers,

Bill