elidel help or hinder?

[idil]

Hi


I was wondering has any seborrheic dermatitis sufferer tried elidel? How many times during a 24hr period did you use it? How many days did you use all together? Did it help or hinder your skin?



thank you in advance

[peterb]

Yes it is used, here is a case study -------------

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/93/case_reports/seborrhea/brownell.html

 

[idil]

hi


thanks peterb for posting that case study.

Im just wondering has anybody on this site had good results with elidel?

[lurker]

Hi Koshin,

  I have eczema and I have used Elidel with wonderful results.   However, I find it is not the strongest thing around so I do go for the Protopic when my E is bad...

 - lurker

[idil]

hey

Lurker, how aften did you use it? Did you use it on your face? I know elidel is steroid free is proptic as well?

Has anyone with seborrheic dermatitis used proptic?

thanks for replying lurker

[Monika]

Koshin, like Lurker, I have eczema - I'm currently using Elidel, but am having to combine it with a topical steroid as well.

Protopic is steroid free as well.  (I believe both Protopic and Elidel are immunomodulators)

[idil]

hi monika


what does immunomodulator mean?

As a seborrheic dermatitis sufferer, would you guys reccommenc that I try elidel/proptic?

[Monika]

Topical immunomodulators like Elidel and Protopic are "substances that affects the functioning of the immune system" (from the Eczema Dictionary)

We can't recommend that you try it, that's something you'd have to decide with your derm.  We can only tell you our own, personal experiences with it.  

I don't have seb derm though, so I'm not sure how it works for that.

[lurker]

While the pharmacology of Elidel and Protopic are slightly different, the gist of it is that they "modulate" or alter/change the local immune response/activity.

Anyway, Monika is absolutely right in that we cannot prescribe medication over the Forum

If you were using a steroid cream already, I would recommend that you ask your doctor/dermatologist about switching to Elidel as it appears you can use it for Seb. Derm (I do not have any recollection of Protopic being used for Seb. Derm).

However, I do reiterate my earlier comment in another thread that there is as moderate possibility that what you have is not seb derm at all but either the effects of uncontrolled hypothyroidism or the side effects of the drug Synthroid.   Please discuss this possibility with a health care professional.

 - lurker

[Nick]

Hi Koshin,

It's always best to be safe when looking to introduce new treatments to your routine. You never know if a new treatment will interact with something you are already using or have taken in the past, some drugs stay in the system for a very long time.
Even taking supplement vitamins and minerals can effect treatments.

We wouldn't want anything nasty to happen to you

[idil]

hi


Lurker----I started having problems with my skin on nov, 1997. I started experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism and was diagnosed on 1999. I dont think im experiencing side effects from synthroid because my skin condition was there way before i started taking this pill. Although i do think i need to increase my intake of synthroid. Im going to have blood drawn a couple of days from now and when the results are back im going to discuss my options with my doctor.

Thanks for replying back nick and monika and lurker

[lurker]

I dont think im experiencing side effects from synthroid because my skin condition was there way before i started taking this pill.

Hi Koshin,

  Yes, that is true, but untreated hypothyroidism can cause the same even more pronounced symptoms as I described in the other thread.

  If your skin condition started in 97 and you were diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 99 it is a possibility that you had hypo in 97 and the skin problems were just a symptom of that.

  I am just laying out possibilities here as the seb derm theory seems to be a bit weak at the moment in my mind, as you say you are not and have not experienced much in the way of dandruff problems or itchy scalp...

  - lurker

[idil]

Hi


Since my skin problems started on my face, i mainly focus on it. But I do have have dandruff problems and a itchy scalp.


"If your skin condition started in 97 and you were diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 99 it is a possibility that you had hypo in 97 and the skin problems were just a symptom of that".

A light bulb has turned on in my mind, thanks. My skin condition and hypothyroid could be related to each other.

[lurker]

Koshin,

  Please go to the thread that you started in the "Introduce" board and read my post on the third page:

  http://www.skincell.org/yabbse/index.php?thread=5623/40

  I think I did try to list the symptoms of hypo there and they do line up with what you are experiencing on your skin/scalp so I am curious to find out from the doc/derm if what you have is seb derm or symptoms of hypo...

 - lurker

[idil]

howdy

1 or 2 dermatoligist have already diagnosed me with seb derm and my doctor diagnosed me with hypothyroid. I've been taking .025mg of synthroid since 1999.

Wouldnt it be wonderful if all my symptoms were caused my hypothyroid? All i would need would be to take pills to get my skin healthier.

[lurker]

Yeah, that's what I am hoping for, koshin, that you could just get the right balance of hormone replacement therapy for the hypothyroidism and solve all your skin problems along with it.   That is where I am going with my thought process right now...

 - lurker

[idil]

hey

lurker, i can only wish. I have to take a blood test in a couple of days. When i get the results, ill let you know.

Thanks

[idil]

hey


Im off to la la land.

Check out my reply in your " my trip to the derm" post.

Also go to the social section and read my post on honesty is the best policy .....i think it will make you smile.

[lurker]

hey

lurker, i can only wish. I have to take a blood test in a couple of days. When i get the results, ill let you know.

Thanks

Koshin, if my hunch is correct than I think your skin is the result of the hypo and therefore if you can get this treated successfully then you should have no more of the "seb derm".

These derms that gave you the seb derm diagnosis, did they know you had hypothyroidism?  

Also, were you on the synthroid when they made the diagnosis?

A diagnosis is done based on all evidence that is known.  If they did not know you had hypo, they could not possibly say that it is a symptom of hypo but they would have to go with what they know, and the closest thing is seb derm... y'know?

 - lurker

[Nick]

I'm watching this thread with bated breath.

Our Lurker = One smart Cookie !