Comments on Rx BALANCE: The Ties That Bind − Topical Psoriasis Marketplace...

I'd be interested to learn a bit more about na...

2010-10-25T23:49:54.501-06:00

I'd be interested to learn a bit more about natural remedies. I have been reading about seaweed powder baths but am a little dubious without any 3rd party research.

Lydia, Indeed you deserve kudos for your knowledg...

2010-07-08T09:34:51.941-06:00

Lydia,

Indeed you deserve kudos for your knowledge, research, and recognition of the theatrics staged in the realm of pharmaceuticals. It is a pleasure to read your piece and the way you have presented it without spin or slant.

I personally suffer from mild to mediocre plaque Psoriasis and was searching for references on the web recommending a superior replacement for the greasy Triamcinalone Acetonide ointment currently scripted. But I found your blog irresistible, revealing the root driving forces at work, behind their masks of benevolence.

The information you bring to the surface is enlightening to say the least. Certainly the patient is unaware of the big picture schemes that someone at your layer can detect, if equipped with the intellect and skill set to do so. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in sharing it.

It seems another example of how our capitalist society consistently evolves to saturate itself with greed on every facet.

Best regards.

Mark
South MD USA

Lydia Green: I would like to add a bit more (corr...

2010-05-01T15:44:17.825-06:00

Lydia Green:

I would like to add a bit more (corrected) information to my above post. I followed your blog with interest but had neglected to observe that your are a trained pharmacist thus my additional post.

First of all I misspelled the doctors name once and spelled it correctly once. It is Dr. Jenny Murase . She did her trials at UCLA IRVINE but has moved on to other settings in the years since.

My first 5-6 years I used Premarin Vaginal cream as a topical skin application and then switched to Estrogel because it is less greasy and does not rub off on my clothing etc. I did appreciate how the Premarin cream kept my skin soft but There is no benefit (to the skin) by topical application. The benefit is derived from dermal absorption of the hormone into my system.

My doctors observe my sucess but generally I self regulate my dosage. I have always been able "to tell" when my psoriasis wants to become active (usually in the fall) and I increase the amount and then taper off at other times. It has worked well. (Except for the PMS type mood swings caused when levels change). I now have a better understanding of what women go through. (smile).

I vary dose between 2 to 4 grams daily (pump dispenser) (0.06% 17b estradiol).

Further study indicates that I will probably have a much higher rate of psoriasis if I should ever discontinue the hormonal treatment. I do not plan to stop. The side effects are minor compared to the severe raging psoriatic arthritis I would otherwise have. (I probably would not be alive today)

I am a healthy active miracle survivor by fluke coincidence of discovering Dr. Murase's information via the internet.

I will be forever greatful to professionals who make such information available to the general public.

I refer to you as well Lydia Green.

Profound thanks.

Arnie M.
Canada
Best regards and feel free to ask me more

Estrogen helps some people to keep psoriasis in re...

2010-05-01T14:53:50.802-06:00

Estrogen helps some people to keep psoriasis in remission. It certainly works for me. (I am a male 50-60 years of age)

I have had life long psoriasis which I learned to live with just fine until around 2000 I got (the rare) psoriatic arthritis. It raged through my joints and disabled me. Dovonex healed the psoriasis (took 3 months) and the arthritis retreated with it and I am active again.

My daughter inherited my psoriasis and the only 2 times in her life she was free of symptoms was when she was pregnant (hormones). I did research and discovered that Dr. Jenny Morase found similar results in clinical trials.

Based on that I persuaded my doctor to prescribe topical estrogel that I have used now with good results for almost 10 years.

Things were going so well that I became complacent in 2005 and did not renew the estrogel prescription . Two months later my psoriasis was back with a vengance. Lesson learned.

I continue to use estrogel and am psoriasis free for 10 years (except for 2005) and plan to continue for life. There have been some side effects (slight breast growth) (PMS type symptoms (no-kidding) but at nearly 60 years of age I accept them happily compared to being in a wheelchair or dead. (The arthritis was severe in my case).

As far as I know, this is the ONLY known medication that keeps psoriasis IN REMISSION . Sun tan , sea salts etc never worked for me.

Search Dr. Jenny Murase for more accurate information. Mine was not a clinical trial but I forwarded my experience (as a male) to her and she was thrilled.

Ironically my daughter is unable to benefit from HRT because her mother died young from breast cancer and she is succeptable.

Thanks Lydia for this article. It is the most comp...

2010-02-23T20:44:50.947-07:00

Thanks Lydia for this article. It is the most comprehensive piece I have found anywhere. I was caught by surprise this week when I found out that the dovonex ointment was discontinued. While researching, I read that Sandoz started the production of a generic Calcipotriene solution for treatment of the scalp a while ago, and I was hoping that they would also decide to produce the ointment soon. After reading your article however, I think that Sandoz probably received incentives from Warner Chilcott and Galderma to stay out of the profitable oitment market.

Very interesting blog. I would add that psoriasis...

2010-02-23T07:50:10.500-07:00

Very interesting blog. I would add that psoriasis management involves the alternate use of steroids and non-steroidal treatments. It is important to stop using steroids for a period of time because a) skin gets used to steroids and they will no longer work; and b) it is not good to use steroids on a regular basis. To my knowledge, Dovonex and Vectical are the only non-steroidal topical medications on the market. Additionally, in my experience (I have moderate/severe psoriasis), ointments work better than creams. Taking Dovonex ointment off the market has forced me to pay higher prices for the Vectical. What a game these pharmaceutical companies play with our healthcare! It is infuriating.

If anyone wants to contact me, I have added a way ...

2010-01-01T12:47:13.561-07:00

If anyone wants to contact me, I have added a way to contact me via email. Go to "About Me"
and Click on "View my complete profile" and you will see an email icon.

Lydia, How may i get in contact with you? i don...

2009-11-06T11:59:58.432-07:00

Lydia,
How may i get in contact with you? i don't want to leave my email address for the world to see. do you have one buried somewhere that i may access? thanks.

Lydia - I would also be interested in additional i...

2009-10-31T16:29:16.298-06:00

Lydia - I would also be interested in additional information on the topic. Is there somethwere I can email you on this for more info? Is it possible to import the dovonex ointment from outside the US?

Having just paid $400 for a tube of Vectical, I...

2009-09-10T23:21:24.260-06:00

Having just paid $400 for a tube of Vectical, I'm wondering, what is stopping the generic companies from producing generic calcipotriene?

Anonymous, I didn't know how to contact you, ...

2009-07-02T14:54:11.062-06:00

Anonymous,

I didn't know how to contact you, but if you send me your email, I will respond.

Lydia, this is very interesting. Do you have furth...

2009-06-26T13:04:32.637-06:00

Lydia, this is very interesting. Do you have further information on this topic I may read? Thank you.