UVB and face

[sergecosta]

Has anyone had success with UVB and the treatment of facial lesions? It is my next step to help create better remission than using Cutivate sparingly alone.

Serge

[chaimFL]

I had spots on my hair line and on the sides of my nose that cleared very fast with UVB. I think my face was the fastest to clear.

[sergecosta]

You just gave me a rush of hope and joy - thank you Hollis. But still....keep your fingers crossed for me. There is nothing about this disease that fails to confound me.

How about remission? Did it clear and remain clear for you? Do you maintain with topicals?

On another note, I just saw my rheumie this afternoon and she considered my case "utterly bizarre" - that having been on NSAIDs, and some other OTC NSAIDs, for about 4 or 5 years, and then all of sudden just quitting them cold one day in April 2005 on my own initiative, I no longer have any symptoms like I had been having before then. Today I feel better than ever - pain free. First time I actually reported a "0" on the pain scale. I asked her if she thought the medication actually perpetuated the problem and she said she really does not think so - and considers it coincidental. She said that I had all the symptoms (in particular one complaint of intense pain in by big toe early last year) that was in line with PA. I am grateful for this remission, absolutely overjoyed. I wish I could say the same for my skin. That has been a source of much anxiety for me. I am also working on my PhD dissertation and juggling a few complicated projects at work; I hope to take up meditation soon to help bring some relief, especially to the mental aspects of this disease.

Serge

[chaimFL]

Serge,

It's great to hear that you PA seems to be in remission!!! Let's hope that it stays that way for a long long time.

When I cleared with UVB the results stayed for a solid 6 months or so and now I have a few small spots creeping back up. I have not used any treatment since I stopped the UVB nor have I used a maintenance plan to keep things at bay. If I would have continued with a maintenance plan I perhaps would still be free and clear, but I wanted a complete break from treatments for as long as it would last. I will probably start using my UVB panel again soon.

[sergecosta]

I, like you, aim for the least amount of treatment possible. So I can understand if you need to go back to it now. 6 months would be terrific for me, given the strain that I have experienced these past few years. I hope you enjoy another 6 months ;-)

Just another quick question: you used UVB for how long to achieve results on your face? Did you use any auxiliary, like psoralen?

Cheers,
Serge

[chaimFL]

I have a National Biological 4 bulb 6 foot flat panel broadband unit and my face cleared real fast, maybe 3 weeks?

I was pretty much totally clear after 2 months, but I used to unit 6 days a week!

[LadyHawke9973]

I NEED one of those....;-)

Here's hoping tomorrow is a good day with derm and him following what I'm wanting to accomplish!

[sergecosta]

Mel - I hope it is a good day at the derm - just make sure he or she understands what you hope to achieve, what you can live with, what you can't etc, are you down, how much does it consume you, what in particular bothers you, etc. And make sure that your derm knows that you will contact them when progress is not being made and success is not in sight. Have them indicate all this information on your record. My mantra: to be assertive, yet gentle and polite.

Serge
:-)

[LadyHawke9973]

My mantra: to be assertive, yet gentle and polite.


Exactly my goal in attitude/emotions. I'll update afterwards and if I'm able to achieve UVB, I'll definitely keep you posted on progress/results.