How Long Does Fumaderm Take?

[el_nino]

Hi Guys,

Been on Fumaderm for 3 weeks now. Only on 3 30mg tablets a day. I was previously on Cyclo for 6 months and it was amazin, i was totally clear, but it started to come back so the derm took me off that and onto this, in the past 2 weeks ive went from clear plus a few bits to my arms, head, body and legs pretty much covered and more than ive had before, Its getting a bit severe now and my appointment with the derm isnt for another week and a half.

Was hoping someone could tell me if it took a while for them to see results, not sure how long i can take this as theres more appearing everyday.

Thanks

[dermakid]

I've never had first hand experience. I was told that fumaderm can only control the P. I don't think it can completely cure. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Luvvi]

Fumaderm has been a complete life saver for me!  I am currently 99% clear (and please God I stay that way)  However, Fumaderm can take quite a while to kick in.  You start on a low dose and build your self up to 6 (blue) tablets a day.  At the moment I only take 4 per day as I can't tolerate the side effects on 6.  Stomach cramps, hot flushes, sickness, headaches....however, the side effects do lessen with time but they come and go with no warning which is a bit of a problem sometimes but for clear skin its worth the pain and discomfort on occasion.  I was on a combination of Ciclo/MTX then MTX/Fumaderm my side effects were dangerous on Ciclo and MTX so I was weaned off the MTX fairly quickly and remained on Fumaderm.  It probably took approx 4-6 months for me to clear completely.  I was going to throw in the towel on more than one occasion but Frost another member on here who has also had excellent results on Fumaderm advised me to stay with it. I did and my skin improved fantastically.  Can I say when I started on Ciclo I was around 90% covered, by the time MTX and Fumaderm were introduced I was still around 65% covered so, like I said, Fumaderm has been a miracle for me!

If you search on Fumaderm or Fumeric Acid you will find quite a few threads on it.  I did blog my treatment however, one fine day I hit the wrong button lol and deleted a year's worth of ramblings!

Stick with your Fumaderm and let me know how you get on.  What is your dosage at the moment?

[dermakid]

This is interesting. What does your doc say? You have to be on Fumaderm lifelong? or can you stop using it after somepoint?

[el_nino]

Luvvi im just on three 30mg tablets (the white ones).

Havent had any side effects yet, prob due to the low dosage. The thought of 4-6 months like this is quite daunting. I understand lots of people on here are probably at this stage or worse for years, but for me going from clear to wosre than ever has really put me down, i think if i could at least get the Psoriasis on my head to calm down that that would be a bit better cant stop scratching at it.

Not sure wether to just try the MTX, only reason i went for the Fumaderm was it was less toxic. Just need to see what the docs says.

[MarieK]

Heh - have been on Fumaderm now for bout 9 months and it has as others will reiterate been a miracle!!! For me anyway so far so good....  Currently on 4 blue tabs a day and very rarely have cramps or any side-effects.  As far as I can remember it took a while to get 99% clear but when it started to clear it cleared quickly...I know I was at least on four blue before it started to clear well and by the time I started on the 6 blue a few weeks and it was pratically fully cleared. Have been on 4 blue now for 4 months and have only one small spot of P on back and small spot on leg. Amazin. The worst place that I had it though was my scalp and that is sooooo much better now also. I get the odd patch but but some betacap on it and it sorts it out...I would have to agree with Luvvi that Fumaderm is fantasitic. I have gone from getting monthly blood tests for liver function and all the rest of it to just getting them now once every 3 months and all is well so far. My dermo said as long as the tests remain fine that it is ok to take fumaderm indefinately... Good luck with it hope you have the success I am having......Marie

[el_nino]

Thanks for the replies, after 3 white tablets what is it then, 1 blue, then 2 blue etc?

I think i will just have to put up with it, might as well give it a full run before start looking elsewhere. I havent tried the betacap but ill try get my hands on some, can you buy it in the shop or will i need a prescirption?

[Luvvi]

I know it sounds like you have to be on it for such a long time to get results but honestly if it works for you then you can stay on it long term with less damage to organs etc than MTX and Ciclo. 

As for your scalp, yes I used to suffer terribly from scalp psoriasis but I got relief by massaging olive oil every night into my scalp, behine my ears etc and leaving it on as long as possible, even if its under a shower cap before my bath or shower for half an hour.  Then gently comb out the flakes which are loosened with the oil.  Without wetting your hair, rub some Capasal shampoo in to your hair/scalp then wet it a little to get a lather, leave on for 10/15 minutes and shampoo and rinse!  This really did reduce the tightness on the scalp and keep flaking to a minimum!

Having psoriasis means you do have to dedicate time and effort into managing it!

I'm happy to say now I can shower/bathe, dry, have a quick rub of moisturiser and go!  For the first time in 6 years I feel "normal"  I can go out for a night without worrying about people seeing or commenting on my skin. I can book into a hotel without cringing when they change the bedding for the amount of blood and flakes on it, and hoovering is done every other day and not every time I stand up and walk across the floor!

Yup...Fumaderm has been life changing and I try not to think that it might stop working for me!

[el_nino]

thanks for the tips, i have capasal and olive oil so i give that a go tonight,

[MarieK]

Heh - the olive oil is great if the patches are quiet thick - I used to warm it for about 40 seconds in the mircowave and put in scalp luke warm and massage into scalp. I covered my pillow with a towel and left it in overnight which really loosened up the patches and like luvvi the capasol shampoo it quite a thick consistency and this could get the olive oil out nicely might have to put in twice to get the oil out fully.  The Betacap - I don't think you need a presciption it is in a white bottle with blue label and is great to use when the patches have flattened to clear it completely. I always have a bottle of it in the hse for when little patches appear!!!

Fumaderm really has changed my life - can do things now that could only have dreamed of before and wear short sleeves  - never thought I would see the day!!!!  Good Luck.......