Recently I have been suffering with joint pain mainly in my right hand, it seems to be worse in the morning and there is some swelling so on a trip to my dermatologist I mentioned it. He explained that 1 in 5 people with Psoriasis also suffer with Psoriatic Arthritis, my dermatologist has referred me to a Rheumatologist.
Obviously being me I have researched it heavily, I am now pretty confident I have it and have already being looking at treatments. Methotrexate seems to come up in discussion a lot as an effective treatment so I presume I will just continue to use it to treat both my Psoriasis and arthritis, pain killers are often prescribed but to be honest I don't particularly struggle with the pain, it is more frustrating than anything.
The main problem I have is waiting 8 weeks to see a specialist through the NHS as my private health insurance will not cover so called 'chronic' conditions. I hate being in the dark about things and not knowing is stressing me out.
Suppose we will have to wait and see how it goes!
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Sunday, 3 August 2014
12 weeks on Methorexate! Part One
After continued use of topical steroids, Dovebet in particular my dermatologist recommended starting a new treatment, Methotrexate. Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant, originally used for the treatment of cancer to reduce the growth of tumours. It has an incredibly long list of nasty side effects but the dose is only to be taken once a week and anyone with psoriasis knows exactly how frustrating it is having to apply greasy creams and ointments numerous times a day, as well as having to throw out clothing and bedding because you just cant wash the products out. As explained in previous posts I was in a terrible way, so the potential to clear my psoriasis with no greasy creams and only having to take a few tablets one day a week I decided to go ahead.
I started on a dose of 5mg, which is two tablets it was then increased every 4 weeks by 5mg, as it is such a strong drug, blood tests are needed before and during the course to make sure my liver is functioning as it should and my blood cell counts are all normal. I don't mind getting blood taken but the first few weeks were a bit intensive, I didn't faint as I have done in the past so I was quite happy with myself. The last time I went to my dermatologist he upped my dose from 15mg to 25mg which is the maximum dose they can prescribe.
Unfortunately Methotrexate takes time to build up in your system and have a positive effect, unfortunately that isn't the case with the side effects. It was very frustrating seeing no change in my skin but suffering terribly vomiting, nausea and being so lethargic that it is a battle every morning getting out of bed! They were the only two side effects a really suffered from, apart from sores in my mouth but they typically went after a couple of days so didn't bother me to much. I have been prescribed Anti-sickness medication now and touch would that seems to have put the whole nausea and vomiting to bed for good!
I started on a dose of 5mg, which is two tablets it was then increased every 4 weeks by 5mg, as it is such a strong drug, blood tests are needed before and during the course to make sure my liver is functioning as it should and my blood cell counts are all normal. I don't mind getting blood taken but the first few weeks were a bit intensive, I didn't faint as I have done in the past so I was quite happy with myself. The last time I went to my dermatologist he upped my dose from 15mg to 25mg which is the maximum dose they can prescribe.
Unfortunately Methotrexate takes time to build up in your system and have a positive effect, unfortunately that isn't the case with the side effects. It was very frustrating seeing no change in my skin but suffering terribly vomiting, nausea and being so lethargic that it is a battle every morning getting out of bed! They were the only two side effects a really suffered from, apart from sores in my mouth but they typically went after a couple of days so didn't bother me to much. I have been prescribed Anti-sickness medication now and touch would that seems to have put the whole nausea and vomiting to bed for good!
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
its been a while!
6 weeks ago I started taking methotrexate, im currently taking 6 tablets a week which is 15mg! I went away to Greece for a holiday so I think I need to catch up on some blogging. I will be starting with all about methotrexate and what side effects I have had and how my skin is reacting!
Speak soon!
Speak soon!
Friday, 25 April 2014
So I bit the bullet!
Ok I decided to bite the bullet and go to see a specialist privately, the £150 was a bit excessive but being able to see a dermatologist within days was well worth it!
We discussed my current condition including my current medications, moisturizers and my diet. After this the doctor confirmed my thoughts that my psoriasis had become resistant to the topical steroids I am currently using and seen as Dovobet is regarded as the one of the best steroidal medications available he thought that a different approach may be appropriate.
We discussed using Methotrexate, an immune suppressant. Methotrexate works by attacking the rapidly-dividing cells that are involved in causing psoriasis, it can be very effective however it has a long list of side effects and can be very liver toxic.
Even though I have gone private for my consultation, I will be treated as an NHS patient and not have to pay for further consultations however I will have to be referred again by my GP but it has cut about 8 weeks waiting time!
I will soon be starting a Methotrexate diary! So will be soon getting some before photos to see how I get on and can track my progress.
We discussed my current condition including my current medications, moisturizers and my diet. After this the doctor confirmed my thoughts that my psoriasis had become resistant to the topical steroids I am currently using and seen as Dovobet is regarded as the one of the best steroidal medications available he thought that a different approach may be appropriate.
We discussed using Methotrexate, an immune suppressant. Methotrexate works by attacking the rapidly-dividing cells that are involved in causing psoriasis, it can be very effective however it has a long list of side effects and can be very liver toxic.
Even though I have gone private for my consultation, I will be treated as an NHS patient and not have to pay for further consultations however I will have to be referred again by my GP but it has cut about 8 weeks waiting time!
I will soon be starting a Methotrexate diary! So will be soon getting some before photos to see how I get on and can track my progress.
Sunday, 13 April 2014
10 weeks to see a dermatologist?!?!
I am right in the middle of a flare up, a large portion of my back is covered as well as my arms, the 'itch' is unbearable at the moment and its driving me insane, it is starting to become a real issue and my quality of life is going down the drain again. I have been on Dovobet now for 6 years and unfortunately it is now getting to the point where it is starting to have little effect so I decided a trip to my GP was the best course of action.
I have never had much faith in my GP, I often think that I know an awful lot more about my condition than him. After about ten minutes of him searching through text books and looking on google he confirmed this telling me that basically Dovobet is the best thing for it, with no solution to my flare up insight i ask for a referral to a dermatologist. To be honest I knew going to the GP wouldn't help but for some reason unbeknownst to me you have to get a referral from a GP to see a specialist.
Ten weeks?! You have to be joking right? Unfortunately he was serious, ten weeks is an awful long time especially when it is making everyday life so difficult. I left the GP with my referral letter and headed home wondering what to do. I decided to call a local private hospital, Spire Liverpool have three dermatologists and I could get an appointment in three days not bad at all but there is a but! A consultation is £150! So here is my dilemma do I wait ten weeks, potentially take time off work and allow my skin to get even worse or do i fork out £150 and potentially struggle financially this month?
I have never had much faith in my GP, I often think that I know an awful lot more about my condition than him. After about ten minutes of him searching through text books and looking on google he confirmed this telling me that basically Dovobet is the best thing for it, with no solution to my flare up insight i ask for a referral to a dermatologist. To be honest I knew going to the GP wouldn't help but for some reason unbeknownst to me you have to get a referral from a GP to see a specialist.
Ten weeks?! You have to be joking right? Unfortunately he was serious, ten weeks is an awful long time especially when it is making everyday life so difficult. I left the GP with my referral letter and headed home wondering what to do. I decided to call a local private hospital, Spire Liverpool have three dermatologists and I could get an appointment in three days not bad at all but there is a but! A consultation is £150! So here is my dilemma do I wait ten weeks, potentially take time off work and allow my skin to get even worse or do i fork out £150 and potentially struggle financially this month?
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
So why have I not tried this before?!
Everyday I battle with my psoriasis, most days I manage to make it through and not go ballistic scratching at my skin but today it started to get the better of me. Normally around 3pm it starts to bother me but today it was on my case from the word go! By midday I couldnt concentrate on anything but the urge to itch, I spent my lunch searching for remedies but unfortunately the majority involved covering myself in lotions which just isnt possible in work. One I did come across was using a cold compress, with about 30seconds of my lunch left I dashed to boots and purchased one.
On my return I threw it in the freezer and waited for 30minutes, it said to leave it for 2 hours but no way in hell was I waiting that long!!!(longest 30minutes ever) I applied it to the back of my head and almost instantly the desire to itch had gone!! I couldn't believe it, I kept it on for 15 minutes and that provided a good hour or so of relief! Apart from being constantly asked 'Have you banged your head?' it was well worth it and I certainly will be getting another to keep at home.
£6.99 from Boots, you can get them much cheaper online but being able to get it there and then was ideal!
http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Hot-Cold-Compress_1154838/
On my return I threw it in the freezer and waited for 30minutes, it said to leave it for 2 hours but no way in hell was I waiting that long!!!(longest 30minutes ever) I applied it to the back of my head and almost instantly the desire to itch had gone!! I couldn't believe it, I kept it on for 15 minutes and that provided a good hour or so of relief! Apart from being constantly asked 'Have you banged your head?' it was well worth it and I certainly will be getting another to keep at home.
£6.99 from Boots, you can get them much cheaper online but being able to get it there and then was ideal!
http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Hot-Cold-Compress_1154838/
A tattoo with Psoraisis?
I had always wanted a tattoo, something on my skin that had been chosen by me not something I had inherited. Obviously tattoos and psoriasis can cause issues, I always find that when there is damage to the skin I can get an out break and since a tattoo is basically being stabbed with a needle a million times I was a bit concerned.
In the build up to getting the tattoo I made sure I kept the area moisturized, using Double base gel 3 times daily. Stupidly I decided to jump in at the deep end and instead of trying to get a small tattoo to test I went full out and got a large piece on the side of my ribs, to be honest it was the only place it would fit. to be honest the biggest mistake was getting it on my ribs, it was the most painful thing I have ever had done. Afterwards I applied a thin layer of Bepanthen twice a day, in the following weeks I didn't have any issue with my psoriasis and my tattoo healed normally.
I have since had flare ups where i have had psoriasis on my tattoo, I have just treated it as normal using Dovobet twice daily, the ink is still as strong as it was when I got it done. I try my best not to itch but if you have psoriasis you will know that is nearly impossible.
I will get some photos tonight as I currently have patches of psoriasis on the tattoo now, so you can see that the psoriasis does not take any colour out of the tattoo.
Hopefully when this flare up dies down I will be able to get a photo to show that it doesn't effect the ink.
In the build up to getting the tattoo I made sure I kept the area moisturized, using Double base gel 3 times daily. Stupidly I decided to jump in at the deep end and instead of trying to get a small tattoo to test I went full out and got a large piece on the side of my ribs, to be honest it was the only place it would fit. to be honest the biggest mistake was getting it on my ribs, it was the most painful thing I have ever had done. Afterwards I applied a thin layer of Bepanthen twice a day, in the following weeks I didn't have any issue with my psoriasis and my tattoo healed normally.
I have since had flare ups where i have had psoriasis on my tattoo, I have just treated it as normal using Dovobet twice daily, the ink is still as strong as it was when I got it done. I try my best not to itch but if you have psoriasis you will know that is nearly impossible.
Hopefully when this flare up dies down I will be able to get a photo to show that it doesn't effect the ink.
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