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!
Showing posts with label dermatologist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dermatologist. Show all posts
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?
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