Psoriasis support - Methotrexate

Author

Methotrexate

LauraM

2006-02-25, 8:15 pm

Hi all - My derm just gave me a shot of Methotrexate to treat my
dyshidrotic eczema.

A week ago his Nurse Practitioner started me on Soriatane but my inner
gut was telling me that something wasn't right about it. I went back
and requested an appointment with the derm and one look at my hands and

foot led him to tell me that Soriatane wasn't really the best drug for
me. <sigh>

He gave me the methotrexate shot (not sure of the dosage) and I'm to
have blood work done on Thursday. Then once a week I'll get a shot
(not sure how long this will continue) and once a week I'll have a
blood test. He also gave me an antibiotic because I've scratched so
badly he's worrying about secondary infections. He also gave me some
topical anti-itch cream and advised me to continue with Domeboro
compresses.

Has anyone experienced Methotrexate for dyshidrosis?? He said it
should be faster-acting than Soriatane aside from the fact that
Soriatane really wasn't the appropriate thing for me.

Thanks for listening.

Laura

Grandpa Chuck

2006-02-25, 8:15 pm

On 7 Feb 2006 21:04:14 -0800, "LauraM" <ldbkatwoman@aol.com> wrote:

>Hi all - My derm just gave me a shot of Methotrexate to treat my
>dyshidrotic eczema.
>
>A week ago his Nurse Practitioner started me on Soriatane but my inner
>gut was telling me that something wasn't right about it. I went back
>and requested an appointment with the derm and one look at my hands and
>
>foot led him to tell me that Soriatane wasn't really the best drug for
>me. <sigh>
>
>He gave me the methotrexate shot (not sure of the dosage) and I'm to
>have blood work done on Thursday. Then once a week I'll get a shot
>(not sure how long this will continue) and once a week I'll have a
>blood test. He also gave me an antibiotic because I've scratched so
>badly he's worrying about secondary infections. He also gave me some
>topical anti-itch cream and advised me to continue with Domeboro
>compresses.
>
>Has anyone experienced Methotrexate for dyshidrosis?? He said it
>should be faster-acting than Soriatane aside from the fact that
>Soriatane really wasn't the appropriate thing for me.
>
>
>Thanks for listening.
>
>
>Laura

Hi Laura,

Any idea why he is giving you the Methotrexate in shots rather than
pill form? I take two 5mg tablets every Monday morning, Monday
evening, Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening. At first I had blood
tests every week, then every two weeks and now every month. It has
done wonders for my psoriasis. Of all the plaques that I had, and they
were all over my body, I only have three very stubborn ones left. My
derm says the thinks there may be something more than my psoriasis
involved in those areas.

By the way, I am 65 years old and have had psoriasis all of my life. I
also have had psoriatic arthritis for about four or five years.
Topically no prescription medication ever gave me long term
improvement. The only thing that ever helped for many months has been
Derma Wheat wheatgrass recovery spray. It thinned my plaque areas by
90%. However, there were some very stubborn areas that improved very
little. Many of the smaller ones healed and disappeared completely
while using that.

Not even my UVB cabinet ever completely cleared the lesions.

It was only after being properly diagnosed with PA that I asked my
derm if I could try Methotrexate. He told me so long as I knew and
would remember that he could only treat the psoriasis on my skin, not
the PA he would be willing to try me on it.

I wish you the best of luck using the Methotrexate. For me it has been
a miracle drug. (Too bad it doesn't do anything for my
osteoarthritis.)

--
Grandpa Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

The following information is given with the utmost respect
for the armed forces and civilians who have died in the
current war in Iraq. According to http://icasualties.org/oif/
The number of Americans killed in Iraq as of Feb. 03, 2006 is 2,252.
United Kingdom = 101
Other = 103
Iraqi deaths in excess of 30,000
according to President Bush - probably many more.

LauraM

2006-02-25, 8:15 pm

Grandpa Chuck wrote:
> Hi Laura,
>
> Any idea why he is giving you the Methotrexate in shots rather than
> pill form? I take two 5mg tablets every Monday morning, Monday
> evening, Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening. At first I had blood
> tests every week, then every two weeks and now every month. It has
> done wonders for my psoriasis. Of all the plaques that I had, and they
> were all over my body, I only have three very stubborn ones left. My
> derm says the thinks there may be something more than my psoriasis
> involved in those areas.
>
> By the way, I am 65 years old and have had psoriasis all of my life. I
> also have had psoriatic arthritis for about four or five years.
> Topically no prescription medication ever gave me long term
> improvement. The only thing that ever helped for many months has been
> Derma Wheat wheatgrass recovery spray. It thinned my plaque areas by
> 90%. However, there were some very stubborn areas that improved very
> little. Many of the smaller ones healed and disappeared completely
> while using that.
>
> Not even my UVB cabinet ever completely cleared the lesions.
>
> It was only after being properly diagnosed with PA that I asked my
> derm if I could try Methotrexate. He told me so long as I knew and
> would remember that he could only treat the psoriasis on my skin, not
> the PA he would be willing to try me on it.
>
> I wish you the best of luck using the Methotrexate. For me it has been
> a miracle drug. (Too bad it doesn't do anything for my
> osteoarthritis.)
>
> --
> Grandpa Chuck
> -=F4=BF=F4-
> ~

Hi Grandpa Chuck -

Thanks for responding. I'm glad to hear Methotrexate worked for you.
I'm not really sure why he gave me a shot rather than pills. I've
noticed, after reading a lot of posts here, that mostly it's in pill
form. The only thing I can assume is that he wanted to control my
dosage or that he wanted a higher dosage initially? It's something
I'll ask when I see him next Wednesday.

How long did it take for the Methotrexate to show some improvement? My
derm said it would be fairly quick but with all the questions I had
written down on my list during my visit, I didn't ask him how long.
I guess it is what it is, though. It won't hurry just because I want
it to, that's for sure!

I had dyshydrosis once really bad as a teenager on my feet. At that
time, I was treated with ultraviolet light of some sort. Not really
sure since I think I was 14 or so. But I remember the light was like a
blacklight. After that episode, I've had very minor ones that were
immediately cleared up via a steroid shot. Now I'm 47 and I've had
this crazy outbreak and after three steroid shots and many topical
creams over the last two months, the derm said we had to try something
else.

I'm looking at my scabby hands here and it appears they're slightly
better from yesterday. I'm taking an antibiotic because I have a
secondary infection both on my hands and my foot. Oy! My foot hurts.

I've read that metal implants COULD be a catalyst for an outbreak.
Recently I had neck surgery where they installed some titanium. I'm
wondering if that's it. Also, it could be stress due to all my neck
issues and being home from work on disability.

God only knows. I sympathize with anyone who has skin issues like
this. They can be maddening!

By the way, grandpa chuck, I loved your little "face" at the end of
your post!

Grandpa Chuck

2006-02-25, 8:15 pm

On 8 Feb 2006 07:29:06 -0800, "LauraM" <ldbkatwoman@aol.com> wrote:

>
>Hi Grandpa Chuck -
>
>Thanks for responding. I'm glad to hear Methotrexate worked for you.
>I'm not really sure why he gave me a shot rather than pills. I've
>noticed, after reading a lot of posts here, that mostly it's in pill
>form. The only thing I can assume is that he wanted to control my
>dosage or that he wanted a higher dosage initially? It's something
>I'll ask when I see him next Wednesday.
>
>How long did it take for the Methotrexate to show some improvement?

My wife said she could see improvement in the first month. It was
really apparent within a short time. I would say I was over 90% clear
within less than three months.

> My
>derm said it would be fairly quick but with all the questions I had
>written down on my list during my visit, I didn't ask him how long.

Everyone is different. I hope you get quick improvement.

>I guess it is what it is, though. It won't hurry just because I want
>it to, that's for sure!
>
>I had dyshydrosis once really bad as a teenager on my feet. At that
>time, I was treated with ultraviolet light of some sort. Not really
>sure since I think I was 14 or so. But I remember the light was like a
>blacklight. After that episode, I've had very minor ones that were
>immediately cleared up via a steroid shot. Now I'm 47 and I've had
>this crazy outbreak and after three steroid shots and many topical
>creams over the last two months, the derm said we had to try something
>else.
>
>I'm looking at my scabby hands here and it appears they're slightly
>better from yesterday. I'm taking an antibiotic because I have a
>secondary infection both on my hands and my foot. Oy! My foot hurts.

I have had a number of secondary infections in the groin area.
Psoriasis plaques produce areas where bacteria and/or fungi can get a
start and sometimes that is all it takes.

>
>
>I've read that metal implants COULD be a catalyst for an outbreak.
>Recently I had neck surgery where they installed some titanium. I'm
>wondering if that's it.

I really don't know anything about that.

> Also, it could be stress due to all my neck
>issues and being home from work on disability.

Stress definitely aggravates psoriasis for most of us that have it.

>
>God only knows. I sympathize with anyone who has skin issues like
>this. They can be maddening!
>
>By the way, grandpa chuck, I loved your little "face" at the end of
>your post!

Thank you. I actually got that from a friend, as we do many things in
email and on the internet.

I hope what I have written here makes sense since I have been doing it
while on the phone with a dear friend. She only calls about once every
couple of months and I wanted to talk to her and finish this.

All my best and good luck to you,

--
Grandpa Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

NINE MORE AMERICAN DEATHS WERE ADDED TODAY
HOW CAN THIS POSSIBLY BE JUSTIFIED? IT CAN'T.

The following information is given with the utmost respect
for the armed forces and civilians who have died in the
current war in Iraq. According to http://icasualties.org/oif/
The number of Americans killed in Iraq as of Feb. 07, 2006 is 2,261.
United Kingdom = 101
Other = 103
Iraqi deaths in excess of 30,000
according to President Bush - probably many more.

Brad_Chad

2006-02-25, 8:15 pm

I had eczema for many years, and then, one day I found out about Hidden
Food Allergies. Hidden Food Allergies can trigger eczema, psoriasis,
acne, ashma, hayfever, migraines, runny nose, fatigue, and many other
health problems. You may not realize this because the symptoms can
start 72 hours after you eat a food. You might be able to find some
books about this at the library. Try, "Dr. Braly's Food Allergy and
Nutrition Revolution" or "Food Allergies and Food Intolerance" by Dr.
Jonathan Brostoff. If you need further assistance, try either a
naturopathic doctor (Yellow Pages) or an alternative doctor
(www.acam.org). Conventional doctors don't usually tell people about
this because the pharmaceutical industry has too much control over
them.

Brad_Chad