Jim's Fumaderm and hormone treatment

[jiml]

10 May 2014

Today a letter arrived in the post from the hospital, well it was a mixture of good news and not so good.
The positive side the kidney and liver function tests were normal
Lymphocytes were up from 0.76 to 0.89 ( normal between 1and3)
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The dermatologist suggested I cut my tablets to one 120mg in morning and one in the evening.
.
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I have written to her suggesting we wait for another month as the lymphocytes are getting better, we don't need to rush to change as things are improving, and I am a bit concerned as I keep seeing an odd spot appearing, which I jump on with dovabet or dermovate
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I shall wait for a reply and see where I go from here

[jiml]

27 May 2014

letter arrived today in response to my request to continue on current dose of Fumaderm
My dermatologist understands my reluctance to reduce my dose, and has just reminded me of the risks of a low lymphocyte count, but has said as long as I am aware of the risk I could carry on until my next blood test and review the situation
So I'm a happy bunny at the moment

[jiml]

3 June 2014

Well tomorrow I have my next blood test to check on my lymphocytes it will be a few days before I get the results.
I am also due to have my Prostap hormone injection in my stomach the forth in a series of twelve this has nothing to do with my psoriasis but helps keep the prostate cancer away ((hopefully)

I must admit my journey through prostate cancer was easier than I expected apart from the early mornings to go to the hospital for radiotherapy. Gladly that's in the past now and I am moving on. The reason I put this in is in case anyone is going through it or knows someone with it....
They can always ask me about it I am always pleased to go into the gory details

[jiml]

14 June 2014

just received my latest blood test results and not as good as I hoped but still not down to dangerous levels , they are down from 0.89 to 0.67 with both liver and kidney function normal the hospital are happy for me to carry on with my current three tablets a day.
I will do a voluntary reduction experiment for a month and see if my blood count recovers and hope not to see the dreaded Psoriasis return

See post
RE: Fumaderm and hormone injections

[jiml]

1 July 2014
Update

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just an update as I have been on a reduced dose if Fumaderm for 2 weeks no change in my skin I still haven't noticed any eruptions so fingers crossed 2x120mg tablets a day are doing it for me, another couple of weeks for my next blood test hopefully my lymphocytes will have recovered

[jiml]

1 August 2014
Update

I have been on 2 120mg tablets of Fumaderm for the last 6 weeks to see if I can persuade my lymphocytes to get back into normal range ( between 1-3) not going badly it's actually increased from the June low of 0.67 to the last test on 15 July to 0.88 a move in the right direction. But I have noticed a couple of spots appearing where previously I was clear, I have dabbed some Dovabet on them and it seems to be making them behave........ I just feel I'm on the edge of a flare I feel an odd tingling sensation on my skin which makes me think.... Don't reduce any further in fact if the next results are over 1.0 I will be pushing for an increase .
More later

[jiml]

8 August 2014

Two things today after going to the doctors earlier this week with other problems which I thought were related to my prostate cancer, so we did blood tests for my Fumaderm tablets and also for prostate. So these readings come close on the heels of my last results

Firstly my PSA ( prostate specific antigen) readings were still not measurable so that's the cancer out of the way for the time being

Secondly my kidney and liver function were good and my lymphocytes were up to 1.07 from the previous 0.88 the normal range is

between 1-3 so it's a good day

[jiml]

25 August 2014

Been noticing for a few days telltale signs of psoriasis reappearing little raised patches on my back where I can't see, a little snow inside my glasses, just found a couple of plaques in my hair ..... Oh no it's all gone wrong...... I think I am going to have to raise my dose slightly, but I'll wait until after my dermatologists appointment on the 29th will have to redo my psoriasis score

[jiml]

25 August 2014

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Been noticing for a few days telltale signs of psoriasis reappearing little raised patches on my back where I can't see, a little snow inside my glasses, just found a couple of plaques in my hair ..... Oh no it's all gone wrong...... I think I am going to have to raise my dose slightly, but I'll wait until after my dermatologists appointment on the 29th will have to redo my psoriasis score

10 September 2014

Reset psoriasis score to 11 a few days ago and started putting some dermovate on my affected bits and have upped my tablets to three a day one morning and two in the evening been on this regime for the last four days and the plaques are receding and not producing so much skin.
So I'm hopeful I've caught it in time to prevent a big flare up

[jiml]

15 September 2014

well the increased dose of Fumaderm seems to be doing the trick the plaques in my scalp are virtually gone ( so I can get a haircut without worrying)
I have a stubborn patch on my left elbow about 1x2cm and fairly flat....
I can live with that

My new score is 6 pretty good hope it will get lower but it's a balancing act psoriasis over white blood cells.... Got to keep them both acceptable