About to start Fumaderm

[arsenalfan13]

Hey guys.

After 30+ sessions of light therapy not making a bit of difference to my skin and after not being eligible for methotrexate (didn't really fancy taking it anyway) and really not being keen on acitretin (due to reading about the side effects and how much it actually iimprovemprovrs psoriasis) my dermatologist has offered my Fumaderm. Currently waiting for it to arrive at the hospital.

Just got a couple questions for those that have been on it.

I've researched the side effects and I reckon I'll be able to stick them but I just have a question about the flushing...  does the flushing occur at about the same time after taking your dosage and if so how long after is this? I work a 9 to 5 job and would rather avoid the flushing at work if possible. I imagine that's possible on the early doses but may be impossible to avoid once you're taking a few tablets a day?

[Caroline]

Hi Arsenalfan,

Why not Skilarence instead of Fumaderm? That is my first question.

About the flushes, to my experience they come (if they come), after several hours. So certainly not immediately after taking the pills.
The strange thing is that it is more likely that you have them in the starting phase and that even with more pills they slowly will get more occasional.

Further more I think the flushes are the least you have to deal with. I understand you would try to avoid them at work, but I had them at work and either nobody says something about it or I just warned them when I felt a flush coming. I said to them when I felt it coming, hey guys, my head now is going to turn red for a short while, that is not because I am shy or mad at you, but because of medication and it will vanish in about 20 minutes. It has to do with extra blood flow in my veins.
Only the boldest then sometimes later on said, yes indeed your are red.

Being open about it is the best way to deal with it.
Anyway it might be better to take your pill(s) during the evening meal, that is better for the spreading and the side effects,in that case the flush will be there when your are sleeping.

[jiml]

Great to read you are starting on the drug I am on, it's  a great drug if you can hack the side effects at the start ....but you sound pretty determined, so I'm sure they won't be a problem ..if you need any advice do shout out and someone will get back to you

The flushing for me occurred around 5 to 6 hours after taking the tablets but now I hardly notice but get the occasional fierce flush where I do go red, it's not unpleasant but can be embarrassing ..at the start they do come most days but will die down quickly
Some who take it don't get the flushing ...so I would wait and see. It might not affect you

I like Caroline am surprised they have prescribed Fumaderm as Skilarence is available and licences now

But good to see you are starting on it and look forward to hearing your experience
Jim

[arsenalfan13]

Not heard of Skilarence at all.. I'll give it a Google. Is it better then or just less hassle cause of license issues?The only other thing I was offered was Cyclosporin which I turned down because virtually all experiences I've read about it are the same - clears the skin fantastically but has to be ceased after a short time due to liver problems.

[jiml]

Not heard of Skilarence at all.. I'll give it a Google. Is it better then or just less hassle cause of license issues?The only other thing I was offered was Cyclosporin which I turned down because virtually all experiences I've read about it are the same - clears the skin fantastically but has to be ceased after a short time due to liver problems.

No need to google it it's here on the forum and is licenced and is better that Fumaderm as it is just pure DMF without added salts that are not required ....it is approved by EMA  so unlike fumaderm which is unlicensed
See this thread ......Skilarence However I'm not sure if NICE have approved it for use in the U.K.

See also Skilarence (DMF) gets European Commission approval

[Fred]

See this thread ......Skilarence However I'm not sure if NICE have approved it for use in the U.K.

Yes it is approved for use on the NHS, but some are still using Fumaderm.

[Maryam]

If you are really worried about flushings, you can use aspirin, real aspirin. But I would not use it everyday. So I’d inform your colleagues and take aspirin when you have an important meeting etc. 

That said, my flushes took 10-12 hours after the meds, so only had them in the evening and during the night, so most of the time I slept through them

[Bill]

Hi arsenalfan,

I agree that the flushing just comes with the treatment and is of no harm to you. I can think of plenty of descriptors for people who would judge you on the basis of medication side effects, but if that is the mentality then I cannot see it being improved with reason. That being said I never had any flushing at the maximum recommended dosage. What is an issue is the short term side effects, so make sure you do all you can to make them as mild as possible.

Cheers,

Bill

[arsenalfan13]

Tips for reducing side effects?

I've read to take the tablets with a decent meal and also taking with yoghurt? I eat a lot of greek yoghurt so that might be ideal for me.

[Bill]

Yes, dairy is good. Keep well hydrated and don't take your tablets on an empty stomach. And you might do everything right and still have trouble, especially in the initial stages. I am a big fan of DMF. It has worked really well for me for over five years and shows no sign of failing.

Cheers