Reducing Acitretin Medication - Thoughts?

[Wooley]

First of all Wooly, when I first saw your hand & foot, my heart sank & I could have cried for you flower  

However, when I saw the cleared hand, I thought, thank christ our Wooly looks better.

Agree with Freddy, have a chat with your derm doc Wooly's, I'd hate for you to reduce your meds and it all flare up again.

BIG    for you Wooly's  



andy

Ah thanks Andy - yes they were in quite a state when I was first diagnosed but fingers (and toes) crossed they will stay clear....!!

Yep I see the derm in March so will seek his advice then and take it from there..... 

[Grizzly Bear]

I wonder if this thread might be better off in Wooly’s photo journal ?

Bless your heart Wooly’s

[Kat]

I received good results while on Acitretin (however, I did not totally clear, I had and still have some stubborn areas) but I was happy with the results. I actually asked my dermatologist if I could come off the Acitretin and see how it went and things were well for quite awhile. (I did flare and I'm now on biologics)

I would check with your dermatologist, perhaps a lower dose would help you still maintain being clear and if you notice things heading in the wrong direction you could increase again if the dermatologist says it's ok. I stayed fairly "almost" clear for awhile on no meds, but I don't recommend doing that as when it flared up it wasn't pretty.

Good luck!!!

[Wooley]

I received good results while on Acitretin (however, I did not totally clear,  I had and still have some stubborn areas)  but I was happy with the results.  I actually asked my dermatologist if I could come off the Acitretin and see how it went and things were well for quite awhile.  (I did flare and I'm now on biologics)

I would check with your dermatologist, perhaps a lower dose would help you still maintain being clear and if you notice things heading in the wrong direction you could increase again if the dermatologist says it's ok.  I stayed fairly "almost" clear for awhile on no meds, but I don't recommend doing that as when it flared up it wasn't pretty.  

Good luck!!!

Aw thanks Kat, some good advice there...... Maybe I am getting a bit complacent and believing that it's gone for good just because I haven't had anymore pustules to my hands and feet - I certainly don't want to jinx that and have it coming back!!

Thank you.....

[Grizzly Bear]

Wooley, do you have any idea when your next dermatology appointment is ?

[Kat]

I received good results while on Acitretin (however, I did not totally clear,  I had and still have some stubborn areas)  but I was happy with the results.  I actually asked my dermatologist if I could come off the Acitretin and see how it went and things were well for quite awhile.  (I did flare and I'm now on biologics)

I would check with your dermatologist, perhaps a lower dose would help you still maintain being clear and if you notice things heading in the wrong direction you could increase again if the dermatologist says it's ok.  I stayed fairly "almost" clear for awhile on no meds, but I don't recommend doing that as when it flared up it wasn't pretty.  

Good luck!!!

Aw thanks Kat, some good advice there...... Maybe I am getting a bit complacent and believing that it's gone for good just because I haven't had anymore pustules to my hands and feet - I certainly don't want to jinx that and have it coming back!!

Thank you.....

We're all different and I would guess it's possible for someone to clear up and stay that way without meds.... but sadly I think the odds aren't in favor of that. Wonder if there is a study on that somewhere I'm guessing it would be only on how long a certain medication worked for x amount of people if there is one. It would be interesting to see how people who had cleared up and stopped medicines fared over time though.

The good news is that you are clear and if Acitretin stops working or you get where you don't tolerate it well, there are still options available if you need them.

[Fred]

 It would be interesting to see how people who had cleared up and stopped medicines fared over time though.

You are welcome to start a thread or even a poll if you wish.

[Wooley]

Wooley, do you have any idea when your next dermatology appointment is ?

18th March Andy....

[Wooley]

I received good results while on Acitretin (however, I did not totally clear,  I had and still have some stubborn areas)  but I was happy with the results.  I actually asked my dermatologist if I could come off the Acitretin and see how it went and things were well for quite awhile.  (I did flare and I'm now on biologics)

I would check with your dermatologist, perhaps a lower dose would help you still maintain being clear and if you notice things heading in the wrong direction you could increase again if the dermatologist says it's ok.  I stayed fairly "almost" clear for awhile on no meds, but I don't recommend doing that as when it flared up it wasn't pretty.  

Good luck!!!

Aw thanks Kat, some good advice there...... Maybe I am getting a bit complacent and believing that it's gone for good just because I haven't had anymore pustules to my hands and feet - I certainly don't want to jinx that and have it coming back!!

Thank you.....

We're all different and I would guess it's possible for someone to clear up and stay that way without meds.... but sadly I think the odds aren't in favor of that.  Wonder if there is a study on that somewhere     I'm guessing it would be only on how long a certain medication worked for x amount of people if there is one.  It would be interesting to see how people who had cleared up and stopped medicines fared over time though.

The good news is that you are clear and if Acitretin stops working or you get where you don't tolerate it well, there are still options available if you need them.

Very true Kat and I might just research to see if there are any study's on that too - a while back the Derm did say (very unreassuringly) - that 'it will be back', which didn't fill me with much hope if I am honest   but I guess time will tell!!  He also seemed a bit too keen to tell me / tested me in readiness to go on methotrexate which is something that I absolutely do not want to go on.....

But yes good news that I am clear for now and I really do appreciate that....let's hope that this continues!! 

[Fred]

He also seemed a bit too keen to tell me / tested me in readiness to go on methotrexate which is something that I absolutely do not want to go on.....

Tell him you like a drink and you wouldn't want to take it.

At the end of the day it's your body and your decision. Yes jump through a few hoops to get what you want but you can always say no as there are other things to try.