Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Trying CellCept

Yesterday I began taking CellCept for severe plaque psoriasis. It is an off-label use for this immuno-suppressor normally used for transplant patients. In the past couple of years I have tried Soriatane, Amevive, Enbrel, Methotrexate, narrow-band UVB, Cyclosporine, Hydroxyurea, etc. The list goes on.

Cyclosporine worked great, but my blood pressure and uric acid spiked so I had to stop after 13 months. Soriatane+NUVB has worked moderately well but my hands, nails, feet, and scalp are raging.

The journey of 25+ years continues (since childhood) with severe recalcitrant psoriasis.

So far I am taking 1500mg split into three doses daily. I can't eat 2 hours before or 1 hour after. I've experienced mild stomach upset and fatigue, but otherwise tolerating it pretty well. Will overlap NUVB for a week or so--Soriatane has stopped.