Ciclosporin? Any Good?

[kierans]

Morning

I've just seen a dermatologist, finally after months of waiting. And they have put me on 12 weeks treatment with Ciclosporin.

As someone who has only used creams like Dovobet, Alphasyl etc. I don't know if this will help or what, so has anyone else been on this treatment, has it worked, have you had any complications with it and so on

Any info would be appreciated

Cheers

[Bimp]

I have been on Cyclo for about 9 months now. I am sure your derm explained why you need weekly blood tests, blood pressure tests etc.
As far as side effects I've experienced go... I had bad stomach cramps and really hot finger tips (to the point where I had to put ice on them). They went away after about 2 weeks though. Long term, I've grown my self a wee lip brow (Not a problem for the gentlemen on cyclo).

Where my P is concerned though it's worked brilliantly! My derm put me on MTX first which worked well but my blood test results were never good. I took a break for a couple of months, in which time my P returned badly. After 2 or 3 weeks on Cyclo I had noticed a huge difference in my P, I almost clear, just a patch on my arm. 4 or 5 months in it did flare up again, my derm upped my dose a little and I am almost clear again.

[kierans]

Yeah they did explain, which i'm not looking forward to, hate needles. As for the hair growth thing, I can rarely be arsed to have a shave anyway so nto too fussed

I'd of thought this would be the last type of treatment they would put me on, I thought they would put me on UV or something first. But what do I know, im not a derm

[Bimp]

I can only speak from my own experience but the treatment path went like this for me...

Topical (Too many to list! And none were any better than plain old aqueous cream!)
UV (Lovely tan! Psoriasis didn't budge much)
MTX (Fantabulous, shame my liver didn't agree!)
Cyclo (Godsend)

Last time I was at the derm he did mention some kind of injectable drug, I forget the name. But I'm assuming that'll be the next thing for me.

I've never had a problem with needles so I guessI'm lucky that way. Had my 4 weekly blood test this morning and for the first time ever I have a tiny wee bruise.

[arizona]

Ciclo kept me clear for nearly 3 years, some derms prefer to use it only short term but if your bloods are ok.... and i've heard of people on it longer than that. As to the side effects very tired for the first couple of months , then felt fantastic and clear skin 
It can put your blood pressure up a bit and that in turn can cause headaches but that didnt happen to me until about 2 1/2 years in

[kierans]

Thanks for that both of you, hopefully im on to a winner

[stewart_h]

Im on day 2. No major side effects.
I read that taking a magnesium supplement
can aid in not getting serious side effects.
Also Cyclosporine does deplete blood magnesium so thats another reason to take it. I decided on Magnesium Glycinate as it doesnt cause stomach upset. But talk to your derm.

Im also going to use Lush Dream Cream and am eating a no meat. no dairy diet. lots of fish.

[lilactime]

ive been on it 4 months and its a godsend ! almost clear just a few stubborn bits that seem to come and go . but best thing is i have piece of mind ! and havnt used any creams except moisturiser since day 1 . i know everyones different but ive had no side effects at all and all my blood tests have been good . at next appointment my dose is being lowered ( on 250 a day at moment ) just to try and get me down to minimum dose i need . ive heard derms are giving the meds out more readily due to cost of a uvb course ? what dose are you starting on ?

[stewart_h]

Its entirely possilbe that cyclosporine isnt given out as regularly as methotrxate for no other reason than its a lot more expensive. The side effects seem LESS to me than methotrexate from what people re3port here, and methrotrxate impacts peoples liuves more (no alchohol). So it is just a cost saving exercise or is methotrexate the first line because its safer i wonder?