UVB it's working wonders

[craigador]

So i bought a 4 bulb Daavlin UVB unit on the 29th of June and began treatments right away, 15 seconds to begin with small 2-3 second increases. It has been working Wonderfully. I have (had) P pretty bad except for hands, head, and feet, pretty much all else was covered. now I'm wearing short sleeves for the first time in 3.5 years! no more flaking, and a reduction in plaques that is quite noticeable. I am now 5 weeks in and up to 55 seconds per day (5 days per week). I feel really good.
I hit my low point about 1.5 years ago, swollen, flaking like a blizzard, in the shower 3-4 times a day and moisturized to the hilt. it was tough, but like they say, if you're going through hell, keep going.
Doctor suggested effexor, which I took for 1 year, but thankfully I was able to stop. now just taking fish-oil, cod liver oil, vitamin A+D, 2x daily,and drinking massive amounts of water.
I am now on a real upswing, my social life was really impacted by this illness, and recused myself from a lot of things that I always readily did. a common symptom i know.
the long and short of it, if you respond well to sunshine on your P, please consider a UVB unit, if you have it over your 'whole' body like I did, it can still work wonders. I was blessed to pick mine up second hand, as i could never afford a new one. I wish you all well on your own journeys, and thank you for all your support to me over the years.
CDT

[mamaooch]

Congratulations on your clearing. I am very glad the UVB worked for you.
Take care and continue to clear.


Have a great day.
Cindy

[belldane]

It's great that you are having such great results! Do you have a bb or nb unit?

Patty

[craigador]

It is the broad band unit. I have been using sunscreen on my face to protect me, but have had no burning whatsoever. it is an older unit, but seems to be working fine. I am doing this without the supervision of a physician, but am being as cautious as possible, to be honest the derms never really helped (heavy methotrexate, scarring topical steroids) hopefully this alone will help me. I have noted that people often use soriatane in conjunction with the UVB, i think to increase its efficacy. Thanks for your support

[belldane]

I have a brand new 10 bulb nb that is doing nothing for me. :( At the derms I used a bb with wonderful results so I got one for home but got a nb. I'm going to replace the bulbs with bb on my own and hope that ins will cover some of it.

Patty

[abbyroad]

Great news about your clearing craigador.
I do narrowband UVB treatments (light box) and have had great results with it as well.

:)

[Geffy]

That's Fantastic! I'm happy it is working for you. :)

[Mel21]

I have been going to the Dr. roughly 3x per week doing NB UVB treatments. I am up to 31/2 minutes in the phototherapy, but havent seen too many results yet. The flakiness is being helped with the talconex, but I really am getting impatient for results.

Does anyone know what the major diff. between BB and NB is? And why some of them work better for others?
Also, how much does a unit actually run, if you want to purchase one?

[LottieBay]

I have a National Biologics Corp. narrowband six bulb panel ( Panasol II) I have been using it since I got it in February I started with one minute and I'm up to 10 minutes per treatment. I rotate standing in front of it a quarter turn at a time. I was clear in about five weeks and I do a couple of treatments a week now, increasing if I flare a little. (wich happens occationally). I paid $2700. for the unit. Medicare reimbursed me $2300.

[abbyroad]

Does anyone know what the major diff. between BB and NB is? And why some of them work better for others?
Also, how much does a unit actually run, if you want to purchase one?

I am currently undergoing narrowband UVB at my derm's office but am purchasing a home light box tomorrow that currently has BB bulbs in it...I think I may try these bulbs while I am waiting to purchase my NB bulbs..will see how it goes?? I am buying it from another NPF member that never used it and the model is actually one that I was researching to buy.
this was in the website here as far as info about UVB...NB and BB:

There are two types of UVB treatment, broad band and narrow band. Broad-band UVB is primarily featured in this section because it is more commonly used in the United States; however, narrow-band UVB is similar in many ways and is becoming more widely used. The major difference between broad-band and narrow-band UVB is that narrow-band UVB units emit a more specific range of UV wavelengths.

Several studies indicate that narrow-band UVB clears psoriasis faster and produces longer remissions than broad-band UVB. Narrow-band UVB may be effec-tive with fewer treatments per week than broad-band UVB. Narrow-band UVB is also emerging as an alternative to PUVA, the light-sensitizing medication psoralen plus exposure to ultraviolet light A. Although not as effective as PUVA, narrow-band UVB is easier for people to undergo and may be safer over the long term.

[lilychiang]

Does anyone know what the major diff. between BB and NB is? And why some of them work better for others?


Hi,
This is my understanding by reading tons of papers.


UVB Broad-band vs UVB Narrow-band
UVB broad-band, radiation measured at 290 to 350 nm, is primarily featured in this section; however, UVB narrow-band, radiation in a specific range between 310 and 312 nm, is similar in many ways and is becoming more widely used. The major difference between broad-band and narrow-band is that UVB narrow-band units emit a more specific range of UV wavelengths for treating psoriasis which influences much less healthy part of skin.

From many professors' studies indicated that a spectrum for psoriasis in most patients is around 311nm. However, every person has different psoriasis spectrum. I think that's why UVB NB or BB works different to different person.

[Resist]

I'm having great results with UVB NB. Just remember not to get to much exposure and burn, because burning is a bad thing.

UVB NB result last longer with less burning than using UVB BB. I started out with the Broad Band and ended up with a home unit in Narrow Band. I've seen faster results with the Narrow Band.

[Mel21]

Thanks for all of your responses to my question. I really appreciate it.
I did some research myself and found out some similar information. I am currently up to 4 mintues in a NB unit 3 x per week, and I am still waiting for results.

I find the natural sunlight, when I have the time to actually get out in it, works faster to clear the stubborn spots. We will see.

Has anyone ever heard of skin cancer developing from these uvb units?

[khela718]

s0 its day 4 .. and i got 4 bulbs UVB BB 4 feet ... home phototherapy .. and ive got guttate p.. s0 far its my 4th day and im up2 4 min front and back.. and 30 seconds sides... havent seen any reddning ... no tanning and leisions look the same .. am I unpatient or is phototherapy not 4 me .. ?!?!? When shud i expect 2 c results?? ... still anxious

[SCCatman]

You are too inpatent.
NB can take 30 or more treatments.
I have had 33 NBUVB treatments, clearing, bu tnot yet clear.
Dennis

[Resist]

I find the natural sunlight, when I have the time to actually get out in it, works faster to clear the stubborn spots. We will see.

Has anyone ever heard of skin cancer developing from these uvb units?Actually natural sunlight has more of the UV wavelength that does nothing for clearing Psoriasis effected skin. And thus can increase a person's risk for burning and thus skin cancer. Remember it is burning that causes skin cancer, so even using UVB units can cause skin cancer if you keep burning.

[belldane]

I started out with bb at derms clearing at 7min. 3x a week. I got a nb unit for home doing it every day. After two months I was over 10min each side-4200jls doing the nb everyday. I saw no results, nothing. :( Service tech came out to check my unit and lamp output. Everything was fine. Tech figured out my jls. I switched out the nb lamps to bb. I am now at 2 min and I am starting to see results. I don't know why..I have talked to many people and different compainies about this and no one can tell for sure why I get results with the bb and not the nb other than there may be something in the bb that I respond to and need that isn't in the nb. What ever the reason, I'm stickig with my bb! :)

Patty

[Resist]

While it has been proven that the NarrowBand wavelenght of UVB is more effective in treating Psoriasis, it clearly isn't effective for everyone. That is the nature of this disease.