Fumaderm a couple of questions

[bazza1965]

Hello i started on fumaderm a few weeks ago and after some advice please.

The stage I am at just started the second week of the blue 120mg tabs I am taking first tab at 7 am with other meds.

The second I decided to take with dinner at 7 pm . from 4 pm on Monday started suffering from the run's but no pain.

Suffered all throughout the night and stomach pains from 4-5 am . 

Up til now I haven't seemed to have suffered from side effects.

Questions.

1. How can I tell it's the fumaferm or a bug ? As someone had bug last week at work.

2. What's the best times to take fumaderm to avoid side effects.

Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks

Baz

[jiml]

Hi Baz I did an answer to this earlier this morning, but must have failed to press the post button...

It's difficult to say for certain what is causing the upset tummy, it may well be a bug, but it does fit in rather well,with known side effects and the timing of the upsets. It's known that Fumaderm side effects hit around 6 to 8 hours after taking it, that's roughly the time it takes to get into your system. Are your pains lasting long or do they go off after a while?

The fact you are getting side effects if they are bearable is good news it means the active ingredient is working. So if you can stick it out I'm sure that you will get clearance...

Some people really suffer, myself I was fairly lucky and only got the terrible cramps which sometimes doubled me up with pain, I also got flushes which you may get as well. But I never got toilet dashes

The best time to take your tablets is when you are having food, probably during a meal would be a good time, but do flush it down with lots of fluid, (often the pains are worse if the tablets are taken with a small snack and little fluid)
It has been suggested to have a yogurt with the tablet, some say avoid bananas. But to be honest I have never watched what I eat or drink with the tablets.

If you can stick it out and the side effects are bearable ( they won't be nice) stay with it as you have a very good chance of getting clearance and I can assure you the side effects will get easier .
Myself I have been on it over 4 years and don't get cramps , or the runs, the only thing I get and its a few times a week is a hot flush.
I have been clear and healthy all that time with just the odd cold in the winter

In my opinion Fumaderm is a terrific drug with very good results it has transformed my life. I would recommend anyone to try it, it's not for everyone but it has a 70% success rate which is very high

A lot of members here are on it some post others have told me they are still on and clear we have an American member on a maintenance dose of 1 tablet a day and has been on that for about 10 years

Sorry I didn't answer earlier and I hope you can manage the side effects. I look forward to hearing how it works for you .
And we are always here if you have any questions just shout, we don't know it all but we have a collective experience you can draw on for answers

[Caroline]

Hello Bazza,

Jim has done the main work in answering you , luckily, but I perhaps can add something to that.

At first DMF, but also MEF, which are the ingredients of your pills, are irritating for the mucous membranes in your intestines. So irritation of stomach and intestines is possible. Therefore the advice to take the pills with food and/or yoghurt, as this slows down the speed of assimilation in your intestines. The slower this happens the less problems.
In the Netherlands we have a version that is slow release.

Furthermore there is the possibility to use the "Bill"-method, that is, take the medication intermittently. Search on the forum in Bill's posts, but also Jim has written something in his Journal about this method.
The advantage is that you can give some rest to your intestines, the drug stays more effective and the effects on your blood (lymphocyte) count is less.

In the Netherlands the prescription is often combined with a food advice, well that is if you visit a doctor that is specialized in natural treatments. They know more about the functioning of the patients body as a whole and know the effects of food on the human body. And as you might know, we all are able to live because we are eating, so our food is an important ingredient for our well being. If you are with a dermatologist for your Fumaderm, then you will experience that he does not know of any food advices.

I must admit that some have an positive reaction on a change or adaptation of their food pattern and some don't feel any change at all. For instance I tried it myself, but for me there was no effect measurable.

Caroline

[bazza1965]

Ok yes it does feel like a stomach bug but I will stick with it as fed up with P. 

I have just again got the cramps at 13.30hr which is 6 1/2 hours since I took the morning dose. 

So I am going to try the yogurt and may be a glass of milk with my dinner. When I take the evening dose.

[jiml]

Ok yes it does feel like a stomach bug but I will stick with it as fed up with P. 

I have just again got the cramps at 13.30hr which is 6 1/2 hours since I took the morning dose. 

So I am going to try the yogurt and may be a glass of milk with my dinner. When I take the evening dose.

Good idea Baz .... Is your psoriasis very bad at the moment, and are you seeing any changes yet.. It is a bit early for changes but thought I would ask
And are you having your blood regularly monitored

[bazza1965]

Yes second bloods due to be done this week. Seeing nurse 1st Feb for check up. Then skin Doc mid march.

Do change to skin yet

[bazza1965]

Ps Also I am celiac which may not help. LOL

[Caroline]

Ps Also I am celiac which may not help. LOL

My dictionary says: "a person with a celiac disease", now I still know nothing

Ask for the results of your bloods and put them in an excel sheet.
That will make it possible for you to see possible changes that are happening.
Normally your lympho's will go down, but come up again once you are stabilised.

[bazza1965]

Ok I will do that thanks for the help and advice

[jiml]

Ps Also I am celiac which may not help. LOL

Oh dear it never rains but it pours. But both diseases are auto immune  and possibly it may be benefitted by Fumaderm as DMF the active ingredient is used for other auto immune diseases
Good luck