1st derm appt- diprosalic ointment anyone?

[Char]

Well, I had my first consultation with the derm on Friday and she diagnosed guttate and plaue P. (Surprise, surprise.) I told her that I'd done quite a lot of research on P i.e this forum   and so was armed with many questions and info. Thanks everyone!

She prescribed Diprosalic ointment and a big dispenser of soap substitute which I'm to use whenever I bathe, shower or wash my hands throughout the day. How I'm gonna get the little bleeder in my handbag is anyone's guess. She was actually quite sympathetic and honest enough to say that as P wasn't "life-threatening" but more a pain in the bottom (or elsewhere), there wasn't much research going on to find a "cure". Hmmmm.  

I told her that I didn't want to be on topical steroids but she assured me that the diprosalic should clear up the mess on my hands and feet quite quickly. The rest of the patches on my body should follow on their own.

Does anyone have any experience of this being the case?

I'm really loathe to start out on steroids particularly as I recently came off all the other lotions and potions (dovonex, dermovate) being prescribed and noticed some improvement in the patches on my hands by doing nothing except chilling out with fags, booze and a good book.

Any advice you could give me would be appreciated!

Take care,
Char

[Alison]

hi char,
 i was given diprosalic ointment also for the 1st time a couple of weeks ago, it defiantly is makeing it more comfortable.
sounds like u got your self a good derm there, which makes the visits easier ,
p works in weird ways , and picks up on your stress levels real quick , so your doing the right thing in chillin ,
good luck with it

[Shirley]

Just wodering if the soap subdtitute is aqueus cream ? If so then you can buy small tubes from any chemist I keep one with me .Good luck with the treatment

[peterb]

Char

I have had P now for 40 years, I use Dipro, but only if I get a couple of spots on face, then a couple of days of Dipro and its gone.  I have now myself come to the conclusion that steriods are not worth it, has it as thinned my skin.  I mainly stick with Moisturises, I know this doesn't clear up the P.  But, mine  comes and goes of its own accord.  You may have success with it, but dont use for too long.

[funkyjay]

Peter, just out of interest, how long have you been using steroids for, and how long have you used them for in each go?

Ollie

[peterb]

Ollie

Well you have to remember I developed P in 1961, in them days, I was put straight on Betnovate, and used it off and on for years.  It has thinned the skin on face and certain parts of body.  I am a sufferer who has tried every ointment going, uvb, tigason and nothing has worked for me.  The only thing that has helped, was in 1979 I was in St Marys Paddington, and the specialist gave me Mtx for a couple of weeks, which did improve my skin greatly.  But I will not stay on Mtx, the only time i have had it.

My P may flare up, and be bad for months or a year or two, but it goes as fast as it comes.  I only use moisturisers now, I respect other people, handle their P in different ways.  I have a friend with P, who can get a massive flare up, go on Dovonex for a fortnight and be clear.  P effects people differently, I also think it depends if you can handle the P on your body, which some people cant.

[janey]

Hi there

I find diprosalic the only thing that really works on my feet.  I tend to use it when I have a really bad pustular flare up approx ever 5-6 weeks.  I use the dipro for about 4 days or so to get under control and then do nothing but use moisturisers.

Janey

[Char]

Thanks for the info guys

I've been using this stuff since last Friday and it does appear to be reducing the redness although the patches on my hands and feet are still quite itchy and flaky. I'll give it another week and see if things improve or go back to just moisturising and chilling-out- here's hoping

Shirley, the soap substitute is Dermol 500 lotion which also acts as a moisturiser...I'm going to have a look in Boots next time I'm in to see if they have it in smaller tubes - the big dispenser I've been given apparently costs 12 quid   !

Cheers,
Char

[leahjane]

Hi,

I had my first derm appointment at St Marys last week and I too was given diprosalic for my guttate, which is pretty widespread. He said to use it at night and then Dovonex (which works pretty well but never clears it up) in the morning. One week later and there is a great improvement, we have yet to see if it actually clears. I really have hopes but am kind of apphrensive too, I DO NOT want a rebound. The guttate seems to be slowly spreading up my legs and arms. Does anyone else have a case of slowly spreading guttate? And if so did it ever stop spreading? Please say it did.......

((?o

Leah