Mandy's introduction.

[Mandy mason]

Hello there fellow sufferers,
Thankyou very much for accepting me to this forum and I hope you can help me with some questions that I have regarding my current medication. 
I've suffered with guttate psoriasis for almost 20 years now but until the last couple of years it's been kept fairly under control with various emollients and topical steroid cream/ointments. It became much more severe and more widespread following my hysterectomy 2 years ago, though this could just be a coincidence, my consultant thinks it could be but is a bit noncommittal. In the past 9 months, I've had two courses of light therapy, the last one ending at the beginning of July, within a week, my psoriasis started appearing again so I immediately contacted dermatology, saw the consultant and was put on Acetretin 25mg daily. 
I've been taking it for almost 4 weeks now and disappointingly my condition seems so much worse, with terrible itching, burning and flaking skin, EVERYWHERE!! 
I hoped I might see an improvement by now, my consultant said I should. I was just wondering if anyone else could provide me with any advice or their experiences with this  drug.
I wait with eager anticipation.

Many thanks
Mandy x

[jiml]

Hi Mandy and a big welcome to the club I hope you get some answers from the Acetretin users here, and there are plenty of them who can advise what their experience has been

I hope you enjoy the club as we are all very friendly and happy to answer your questions

I myself have not used acetretin so can't help much except to say that it can take a while to kick in, and I hope it works for you
Good luck
Jim

[JohnB]

Hi Mandy and a warm   to the club.
I've been on Acitretin since April and I am just starting to see some real improvements. But I do have some side effects, dry lips shiny and peeling palms and peeling feet. It is worth it though for the sessation of itching, lost nights sleep and the rest.

It is well known for Acitretin to give flare ups before it shows any benefit and the flaking is just par for the course. I hope you have a decent vacuum   . Give it a good run if you can tolerate the flare-up, it should subside, but I'm afraid I couldn't tell you how long it will last. As with the disease the treatments effect everybody differently.

To help with the flaking try virgin coconut oil, just apply like you would any emollient. Don't get the refined stuff as it can have chemicals in and doesn't work as well.

Please don't be afraid to ask any questions and have a good rummage through the site, there is tons of information to be had.

Oh and don't forget the off topic for some light hearted banter   .

JohnB

[Caroline]

Hi Mandy,

Just a short welcome from my side.
Enjoy yourself on the forum, its a nice couple of people.


Caroline

[numpty23]

hi Mandy I'm Linda nice to meet u. I'm a long term sufferer. ive been on the same dose as u since april of this yr. I'm clear except for some markings which r fading. people react in different ways. as for me don't have ur symptoms but got the dry lips n my hair is falling out. The positives for now so out-way  the negatives. x

[Grizzly Bear]

Mandy to the mad house

Ey up lass, I'm the village idiot on here.

I've never used Acetretin so I can't comment about it but I hope your P clears soon.

There are fellow loonies members on here that are getting treated with Acetretin, so finger's crossed they will help and advise you on your Acetretin journey. I see our John B has commented

Enjoy yourself on here Mandy

GB

[mataribot]

Hello It's not uncommon for the medication to take up to 8 weeks. It typically causes a flare first. I was miserable on it - it eventually helped legs but nothing else. Maybe it's time to try something else.

[Fred]

Hello Mandy to Psoriasis Club.

I can't help either with Acitretin, but as you posted an intro I wanted to say hello.

Regards.

Fred.

[Mandy mason]

Many thanks to everyone who got in touch with me, whether welcoming  me to the club or providing me with much needed advice and personal experiences. 
After reading some of your replies I'm definitely going to persevere with the treatment, I was given three months worth, so I'll see how it goes. I'm going abroad next week and due to the state of my skin, especially my legs, I'm rather dreading it! I'm paranoid people will be staring x

[Fred]

I'm going abroad next week and due to the state of my skin, especially my legs, I'm rather dreading it! I'm paranoid people will be staring x

That is a common thing with everyone with psoriasis, but you have to try and remember that others too will be on their holiday so they probably wont have time to notice. If they do notice they may feel sorry for you, but should anyone feel disgusted by the sight of your skin then they should be very careful as Psoriasis can strike anyone at any time and they could be next.

As a person with psoriasis we tend to think others are looking at it and that is a natural thing, but you would be surprised on how many don't actually notice. I found out by being brave and showing others that they didn't know I even had it, whereas we know it's there so obviously we notice it more.  

Enjoy your holiday and don't worry about what others think. If they have time on holiday to worry about how you look then I would say poor them as they are obviously having a rubbish holiday.