Olux - clobetasol propionate

[JClayton]

This is my first post here and I will say that I'm glad to be able to come to a place and talk to other people who suffer from psoriasis. Fortunately, I have a mild case of psoriasis and hope that it stays that way. I was first diagnosed about 5 years ago (I was 27). Basically, it probably covers less than 3% of my body. Generally it's on my calves, elbows, scalp and very slightly on my ears and torso (a spot here or there). I do consider myself very fortunate and after reading some of the posts on the forum realize this definitively.
With that said, my dermatologist has prescribed Olux and it has worked tremendously well. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever tried this foam and if so, what you thought of it. Nothing else that has been prescribed really did much of anything save making my clothes and bedsheets stained with grease.
I look forward to any and all responses and to future posts.

Thanks!!

[debber_1]

I consider myself clear altho I still have about 6 spots about the size of a pencil eraser...I went from 150 spots all up and down my legs,so close enough...I have used Clobetasol ointment and it cleared me...I am now using the foam which I find very handy.....There are some here who will point out the dangers to you about streriod meds...I have had none of the side effects, and all the benefits!


Good luck and welcome!

[RichJ]

hi jclayton
welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful poeple on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to me you. sorry i can't help much but more will come though.

have a good night all

richard

[JClayton]

debber 1,
Thanks for the reply. It's nice to know that someone else has used the foam. When I pciked it up from the pharmacy the other day, the pharmacist had no clue as to what it was. I don't mind if anyone points out the dangers of any medication. In fact, I look forward to this information as well as alternative methods of treating psoriasis, or as it's called here, p.

Thanks to you RichJ. See you around in the forum!!

[MikeK]

Hi Jclayton,

Welcome to the Board. Nice to meet you. I'm glad to hear that Olux (www.olux.com) is working for you. I've used it and highly recommend it. Olux has Clobetasol Propionate in it. Clobetasol is a Class 1 or Super Potent Steroid. (More about that later.) It doesn't get much stronger then that. Most derms limit the use of the stronger steroids to two weeks maximium (or to the weekends only) in order to avoid problems such as skin thinning. Here's a link to some additional information about it: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/r.../cx1431b.shtml and http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/olux_wcp.htm.

As I mentioned, Clobetasol Propionate is listed as a Class 1 or Super Potent steroid. Steroids are classified -- by strength into 7 -- different classes. Each class is assigned a number. The lower the number the stronger the steroid. Here's a link to a previous discussion about steroids; it includes a post that has a copy of the NPF's steroid classification chart in it: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6255.

I hope this helps.

Good luck. Keep us posted and please don't be a stranger.

Mike

[debber_1]

You are more than welcome! Thats what I am here for! If you need anything, please feel free to pm me!
XOXO

[PJ Leary]

Hi JClayton,

Welcome to the Board! This is a wonderful place to meet others with p & pa and get information and support. I see from your original post that though you have mild disease nothing seemed to help much before you tried the Olux. I am happy that you have found something that works for you.

I am a long time veteran of this disease, most of my life with very severe skin disease as well as pa. As a result, I have had lots of experience with different treatments; topical, systemic, phototheraputic, and now even biologic.

I would like to lend a note of caution that clobetasol should be used sparingly and carefully. It is a very potent steroid, as Mikek said. You should try to take the time to read the links in his post to you, they are very informative and accurate. In short, you want to use the very least amount possible as infrequently as possible, and make sure to take a break every 14 days if use is consistant.

Please let us know how we may be of further assistance.

[debber_1]

I pomise I will never recommend clobetasol to another person.....I expect to drop dead any day from its use....But guess what, I will go to my grave with clear skin, from using the DEMON , CLOBETASOL!

[ARL]

Debber,,,,this is why I don't like to say anything reg.any ointments or treatments,,,,if you do,,,,your told,,your giving bad info.,,,,if you don't,,
your told you are worthless to NPF,,,so I try and stay with the conversations,and just tell what worked for me.

Welcome Jclayton,,,,I myself have tryed everything,,,nothing ever worked for me,,,,when Debber told me about the Clobetasol,,,I asked my derm.,being I have a liver disease,,,all the injection meds. and pill form meds. were to dangerous for me,,,this derm. said the clobestasol is far less dangerous than the other meds available,,,well this is the only thing that ever cleared me,,,my feet and hands,,,and stubborn spots on my both legs,,,are gone,,,I have never had a clear moment of P,,,i'm thrilled,,,I just thought I was going to have to live with this P and never be clear,,,now I use a dab here or there,,,I don't spread it all over,,,I do use a small amount, good luck,,,and just be careful how much you use,

[JKNY]

Hi J Clayton, I am a veteran of olux foam. I think the problem with steroid use is not so much the medical danger but the fact that your skin adapts to it and it doesn't work over time and very often the p comes back worse sometimes much worse than before, so my opinion would be to think about avoiding it in a mild case like yours. STart with weaker drugs and light treatments. Use the Olux only when you really feel you have to ( that's a personal decision).

I never had any skin thinning but what happens now is the Olux works for about a month then it doesn'rt work any more. Dovonex ( not a steroid) can be used indefinately ( i think) might be a smarter way to start. I say save the big guns until you need them . So I am off it for two years using UVBNB for the meantime.

I believe the severe case I now own was excaserbated by the steroid shots my original derm gave me back in the early eighties.


The beauty of OLux is how easy it is to apply. It dries in ten seconds so no mess. You can get dressed right after applying, not to mention you can hit home runs like Hank Aron.

[debber_1]

Thank you, Arlie!

[debber_1]

What slays me is the fact that we have many people jumping on the biologic bandwagon and yet, people think it is awful to say hey I love clobetasol! And every time I say that I have people following me around and pointing out the dangers...I'm going to say this once again...My derm and my doc both told me that careless use over a long period of time can lead to problems...ie skin thinning, stretch marks, rebound flare, ect. These people are looking for some help, some relief, not to have the life scared out of them like the *RARE* Cushings syndrome...I lived my life in hell for over 2 years before clobetasol...In fact I was scared of it for years!

That is all I am going to say!
THE END!

[MikeK]

In fact, I look forward to this information as well as alternative methods of treating psoriasis, or as it's called here, p.

Since you're also interested in alternative methods of treating psoriasis, you might want to check out the alternative treatment thread. The bad news is that's it's a very long thread. The good news is that it's chock-full of all sorts of alternative methods that people use to treat their psoriasis. Here's a link to it: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3404.

Mike

[JClayton]

Thank you all for your replies. As I've stated earlier, I want to hear any and all feedback. I feel the more information you have, the better your chances of treating p effectively (regardless of meds, natural, etc).
I'll take the opinions of all that post to the message board and determine what might be right for me. Although some of you disagree, clobetasol propionate foam is the only med that has worked on my p. I've been prescribed Dovonex, Derma-Smoothe and I think Protopic (I think that's what it is called) and they just seemed to have zero effect. I feel that I have such a mild case of p that I'm really not putting all that much clobetasol onto my skin, but again, I thank all for the information...it's much appreciated.

I'll let you all know the status of my p and hope to find you in other posts.

Thanks!!

[debber_1]

Like my pharmasist told me, if it works, USE IT! Very simple!

I think Deb uses her C wisely. She hasn't had the prolonged extensive coverage that would make its use a potential problem. She uses it and her P goes away. She has had no skin thinning or stretch marks from her use of C. If her P didn't go away and she continued to use it there could be a potential problem. Now she uses it as a maintenance. We all need to remember that the complications of treatments are potential for all individuals, not a guarenteed side effect.

I am guilty in blowing my Enbrel horn, yet I have no first hand knowledge of it's potential ramifications with my exteneded usage of it. But I am willing to assume the risk. I have the gut feeling that my extended usage of Enbrel just might have worse side effects than the thinning of my skin or stretch marks which can be caused by C (can be, being the operative word here).

I am willing to take these chances to enhance the quality of my life TODAY!!!!!! Today! Now, when I want to be able to work, to play, to make love to my husband. Each of us has our own agenda and our own set of priorities. We each know what we can accept as potential side effects. I think we need to gently suggest to others what works for us, discuss what we are afraid of and not dis other treatments.

[PJ Leary]

Each of us has our own agenda and our own set of priorities. We each know what we can accept as potential side effects. I think we need to gently suggest to others what works for us, discuss what we are afraid of and not dis other treatments.[/QUOTE]

I believe that Annie is correct about this disease and that its best treatment being unique for each of us. I for one was not trying to say that clobetasol is bad in any way. I wanted to point out the potential risks and benefits since JClayton said she was looking for information about this medication.

Obviously, I have used it as well, so I must have deemed it safe enough for my own body. I have been careful with it due to the fact that while I get some good relief from it, that alone will never clear me, and I have rather extensive disease. Both of these issues were taken into consideration each time I have chosen this medication.

My own contributions here were for informational purposes only, not to say that any course of treatment is good or bad. As I have said many times in the past, what works for one person may or may not work for another. If we do not feel free to exchange ideas and information freely here, we lose a valuable asset provided by this forum.

Once again, I hope to simply welcome JC, and encourage you to continue your participation on the board.

[beachbound]

I am willing to take these chances to enhance the quality of my life TODAY!!!!!! Today! Now, when I want to be able to work, to play, to make love to my husband.

You go girl! I'm right behind you!
Sue (6 weeks enbrel)

[JKNY]

I am not afraid to say that in many ways Olux foam ( and other steroids) is a miracle drug. Used sparingly and properly it really clears p fast.

Is that the answer JClayton wants.

A testimonial advertisement about how fantastically clear I am now that I have used it. How I no longer suffer the embarassment of P and can go to the beach and have a wonderful love life.

How could I tell him the pros without the cons. THat's what he asked for.

My opinion is that someone asks for advice a conservative answer helps them most. I neither want to overly encourage nor discourage the person who asked. My feeling is that since we are answering medical type questions and that since we are patients not doctors, that our anwsers are best used as info or tips as to what questions the person may want to bring up with his or her medical provider.

I don't see any response in this thread that should scare anyone. We all have diferent personal styles and approaches in the way we answer personal questions asked of us. None of us is a professional psoriasis advice provider.
We are also not professional writers so sometime email by their nature are a difficult way to make an accurate point because the person is not infront of you.

[mdgirl]

Hi everyone,

I am going to ask my derm about Olux today. I just recently came off of Enbrel and am now having a full pledge flare. I am covered from head to toe. I just need some relief, even if it is just for a short time. I am using Dovonex, which is not helping. I am also taking Amevive, but it won't kick in for 12 weeks. I need help immediately.

[labratt]

What can I say? Long time reader, first time poster. This site is absolutely amazing! Normally I just go around reading and enjoying the wealth of information available in these posts. So, now I can post my experiences for JClayton as I am a big fan of the Olux foam!

Here's my short story. About 10 years ago I discovered that I suffer from (thankfully) scalp P only. Treatments? I started with the myriad of dandruff OTC shampoos (useless, but some smell decent enough), then I moved into prescription options (Dovonex, temovate, Diprolene, dithranol, you name it).

Some worked very short term, others just burned and irritated the scales and inflammed areas. I did have a 2 year "relationship" with Dermasmooth FS oil (http://www.hillderm.com/scalp_oil/scalp_oil.htm), but let me tell you wearing a shower cap and smelling like peanut oil each night does not do wonders for any relationship (fortunately my girlfriend at the time thought it was "UGH" cute!).

So, I did some reseach on new steroid options and came accross OLUX and LUXIQ foam. My dermatologist recommended OLUX 2 years ago and I have never been happier.

Here's what I do. When a breakout occurs, I use the olux foam only on the P spots (THIS IS IMPORTANT, DO NOT USE THE MEDICATION AS IF IT WERE STYLING MOUSSE!!!!). I place the tip of the can on the spot and leave a pea sized shape (ok, you can go as big as a jellybean) and rub it in. I only need to use it for three days and then it's completely clear! Then I don't use it for about a week (sometimes only 5 days), becasue the P will always come back if you go too long between applications (but not too bad). Then I use the OLUX for 3 days and it's completely gone again. So if I time everything well, I am completely clear for weeks and months. I like to cut my hair extremely short at times (save on shampoo, I suppose) and this OLUX allows me to do so without any embarrassment at all.

I have had all the side effects looked into (I've suffered from none), blood work and what have you. No problems, just use it as needed and you'll be more than pleased with the results.

I hope this information helps!