Jim's Fumaderm and hormone treatment

[jiml]

19 October 2114

Its just over a month since I updated here so I thought I

should just put a bit of an update..., the month has been uneventful no great stress to speak of. Had bloods taken three weeks ago and haven't heard results so will phone to find readings in the next few days
My psoriasis score is not changed but the biggest spot on my leg is flat and clearing so I'm happy

The other health issues I've had with the Prostate cancer bloods for that are still clear.
Had ultrasound and ct scan about 4 weeks ago, on my kidneys to see if there was any spread or problem with them. The fact I have heard nothing makes me assume I'm in the clear

Had a bowel Cancer test all clear ...... Oh it's great getting old everyone is looking out for your health

[jiml]

7 November 2014

just had a blood test today as I still had not been told by the hospital my October results I enquired of the nurse doing the blood test and she checked for me and it was not as good as I had hoped but not bad enough to concern me. (normal is between 1-3) the last reading was 0.93 so I now must wait until I get the latest results and hope the trend does not continue downwards as I may have to rethink as I can't afford to drop the dose any further

[jiml]

27 November 2014

following on from my Prostate cancer and the ongoing tests I have today received the results of the ct scan I had a month ago, I was not concerned as I was sure if there was a problem they would have been in touch earlier.... The letter says I have normal looking kidneys bilaterally ( the previous seen leision in the kidneys is no longer visible on the ct scan.
So the investigation for haematuria show nothing untoward
The final sentence says
" this is indeed good news as the PSA ( Prostate specific antigen)is satisfactory at <0.1mcg/L"
So I have been discharged
So the drinks are on me ..... Line up at the bar to place your orders ... Wheeeeeew

[jiml]

6 December 2014

good news again from visit today to see my dermatologist ... I really expected to be taken off Fumaderm because my last two blood tests had shown my lymphocyte levels below normal .. The result of the test I had earlier this week were in ....and that showed that my lymphocytes have increased to 1.11 well within the normal range of between 1-3
So I can keep taking the Fumaderm at the same dose of 240 mg with breakfast and 120mg with my evening meal

[jiml]

23 January 2015

It's been nearly 2 months since I last posted a bit has changed although its nothing serious . I have been noticing changes and hoping it would go away
The plaque on my leg has got larger .. got 2 in my hair and one on my elbow im treating my scalp with Dovobet gel to try to stop it getting any worse  

[jiml]

3 March 2014

its been a while since I updated my journal for several reasons mainly domestic health pressures, with Mrs Jim having several medical problems causing me a bit of stress also I am giving up my business at the end of the month and there is a lot of work involved in selling the business on..... again more stress.
I'm not complaining I'm just recording facts for future reference when I look back and see my psoriasis score has jumped up I will know why
Today I have just done my psoriasis score and got a bit of a shock as it has jumped from 5 to 13

So I have made a decision based on a chat I had with Ruth91 who was asking if she should increase her dose of Fumaderm RE: Should I come off Fumaderm?
I said if it was me I would increase the dose..... Then I thought why haven't I done that already myself so from today I am increasing my Fumaderm from 3 tablets a day to 4 a day I started last night and I can feel the flushes getting warmer ... So hopefully it's getting to work ... I've requested my blood results from the hospital and now I will wait and see what happens

Edit 4 March 2015  

Hospital have just given me the blood results I asked for, and all are within normal levels and the lymphocyte count is 1.16  ( normal is between 1- 3)

[jiml]

20 April 2015

its been a while since I updated as I haven't really had anything to say about my psoriasis, since I reduced my dose to two a day back in April last year , due to low lymphocyte count .
I have struggled to keep my psoriasis acceptable to me
I have been Increasing and decreasing on and off for the year with very little effect on my psoriasis
Just got my latest bloods and I'm very pleased with them see post RE: Fumaderm and hormone injections
I took the bull by the horns and increased to 4 a day last month and I am beginning to notice less flaking , but not fading yet

I still have joane's words ringing in my ears where she said she reduced for 2 weeks and was 3 months trying to get back to clear again

Quote:

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re post 44739

Lymphocytes up to 1.25 ( normal between 1-3)
Neutrophils 4.52 ( normal between 2-7)
Liver and kidney function good
Wbc 6.7 (  normal between 4 and 10 )
Rbc 5.18 ( normal between 4.5and 5.5 )  

So now we will see as the summer is almost upon us whether I can get clearance again
I am not to unduly perturbed as the score I have now at 13 I couldn't have dreamed of before Fumaderm

A lot has happened in that year apart from getting a year older  
I have just sold my business and am enjoying not having to answer the phone to customers in distress. That is a big worry less.
But now I have to learn how to manage on my pensions, which seems very strange after always having work to do and a way to generate money ... So this is a new exciting time in my life which should see a reduction in stress and with it a reduction of psoriasis..
I am due to see my dermatologist in May and I will tell her then that I have tweaked my dose and hope she understands my reasoning

[jiml]

29 April 2015

Just a brief update as I have written before of the treatment I had a year ago for my prostate cancer, the treatment was very successful but I was told at the time that there was a possibility that the radiation may have caused collateral damage to nearby organs. The last few weeks I have noticed a bit of blood where I shouldn't be seeing it so made all the appointments and today was the day to go to the hospital for an exploratory exam. .... Laid on the bed in a compromising position and  as far as he the doctor and Nurse could see   things  were quite normal
So he now wants me to have a colonoscopy in the next few days to rule anything else out      



The good news is my blood test about my prostate cancer came back with. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) as unmeasurable so it looks good ... At least that's what I tell myself



Lymphocyte level is the same as my last post 1.25 so nice and steady, my plaques in my scalp are clearing  
The stubborn one on my left elbow is beginning to fade so the summer is looking bright

I have been in the sun at every opportunity which anyone in the UK knows can never be much and I'm sure that is giving me the feel good factor and helping with the psoriasis... Just a short way to go to get clear again I don't want to drop the dose so far in future as 2 tablets a day is not enough for me    

[jiml]

25 May 2015
Short update

I've had a busy time since my last update and had my colonoscopy I won't volunteer for one of those again.... The good news was and I have pictures to prove it they found nothing amiss inside and they gave me the all clear... It was just collateral damage from my radiotherapy earlier, that had caused the concern

Went to see the dermatologist on 22 May for clinic appointment  I told him of my concern regarding dropping my dose too low and explained that I have kept a close watch on my blood results and had put my dose back up to 4 x 120 mg tablets of Fumaderm....he was fine with that, as my bloods were good , kidney and liver function normal, full white blood count was in the normal range and my lymphocyte count was 1.1 which is still within normal range (1-3)

My psoriasis score is back down to 5  and it wouldn't surprise me if it went lower as the areas that still have plaques are flat and barely flaking and barely visible, I'm not sure if it's just the Fumaderm or if the sun has helped, I have got into the garden at every opportunity if the sun is shining      

edit
all ok here

[jiml]

21July2015

It's nearly 2 months since I have written on here and my bloods are still holding up and the fumaderm is still working its magic on me.
My psoriasis score is down to 3 I have a reminder that I have psoriasis on my left elbow but it is a small stubborn patch , my scalp has cleared again and I am not seeing a white flakes everywhere
I'm still on 4 fumaderm a day that's 2 morning with my breakfast and 2 with my evening meal
I am not getting any side effects apart from hot flushes most days, which I have grown used to and they are not unpleasant.

I have been enjoying the sun when it shines and baring as much skin as I dare in my garden ( without scaring the neighbours)
Since retiring at the end of April I am pleasantly surprised at how much stress that has relieved me of and I'm sure it all helps keep the psoriasis at bay