PLEASE READ. PROTOPIC/ TACROLIMUS/ FK506/COLLAGEN/ BETTER THAN STEROIDS.

[Guest guest]

Hello list, hope everyones having a good pain free day.

I wanted to pass on something that I've been holding back on, to see how it's worked for some women who have Lichen Sclerosus... a very similiar 'skin' condition as the Vulvodynia where the skin rips, or tears, with severe pain especially with sex, and I just wanted to pass this on thinking it might help a core group of you as well.

It's a product Brand Spanking new on the market for Eczema or Psoriasis called "PROTOPIC' also known as Tacrolimus and FK506. Most doctors or derms may not even be aware of it yet. It's to replace steroid creams such as Clobetasol which can have bad side effects and 'this' IS NOT a steroid.

I've been following it since it's developement and thought that it may be an answer for many of 'us' as well.

In the past few weeks or so, there's been a handful of gals who've given it a try and they are having tremendous results with it, so maybe it just 'might' be beneficial to others as well. It's NOT been recommended for the vaginal mucosa per se', but these gals were the 'guinea pigs. Some have had excellent results in as little as two weeks after years of other treatments.

Anyway, I'm going to pass on some information here, so for what it's worth, it just may help you as well, Keep in mind this is to replace any steroid creams such as Clobetasol for pain and inflammation and itch. sorry for the length but hope it helps.

Warmest, Dee~

----- Original Message ----- From: Dee Troll

HI ALL

I've got a ton of info on Protopic, (probably 40 articles as I've been following it in it's development) so I'm passing some on for those who might not be aware of it. It was just recently approved, (I think Jan) so it's no wonder most docs aren't aware of it.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW THRILLED I AM TO BE HEARING THESE WONDERFUL RESULTS..... I HAVE GOOSE BUMPS LITERALLY, haha.. so far you few gals have sure been our guinea pigs, 'thank you"......... YIPPPEEEE.

Warmest regards

, Dee ~ (so so happy.

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(TACROLIMUS IS ALSO CALLED PROTOPIC AND KNOWN AS FK 506 too)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=11145792 & dopt=Abstract

J Am Acad Dermatol 2001 Jan;44(1 Pt 2):S17-S27

Related Articles, Books, LinkOut

Nonclinical and early clinical development of tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.Bekersky I, Fitzsimmons W, Tanase A, Maher RM, Hodosh E, Lawrence IFujisawa Healthcare Inc, Deerfield, and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical, Ltd, Osaka.[Record supplied by publisher]Tacrolimus ointment, formulated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, is the first in a class of topical immunomodulators. Its mechanism of action is based on calcineurin inhibition, which results in suppression of antigen-specific T-cell activation and inhibition of inflammatory cytokine release. Animal and human studies have shown that topically applied tacrolimus is minimally absorbed into the systemic circulation, the fraction that is absorbed is extensively distributed, and tacrolimus does not accumulate in tissues following repeated topical application.

In addition, tacrolimus ointment is not inherently irritating, sensitizing, phototoxic, or photoallergenic when applied to 'intact' skin. Unlike some topical corticosteroids, tacrolimus ointment does not cause a decrease in collagen synthesis or skin thickness, nor does it produce skin abnormalities or depigmentation.

In animal studies, repeated daily application of tacrolimus ointment up to 1 year is associated with dermal findings similar to those following vehicle application (mild to moderate dermal irritation and microscopic findings of acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and superficial inflammation). In a 52-week study with Yucatan micropigs, no noteworthy macroscopic or microscopic changes (either dermal or systemic) related to the application of tacrolimus ointment (0.03% to 0.3% concentrations) were observed.

Tacrolimus ointment was shown to be safe and effective in phase 2 and early phase 3 studies. Significant improvements in atopic dermatitis were observed in the majority of patients treated with tacrolimus ointment. The most common adverse events associated with its use were a transient burning sensation and pruritus at the site of application. Blood tacrolimus concentrations were below the limit of quantitation in most patients.PMID: 11145792 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2, (letter I'd sent before) dee

Just a few more notes on Protopic, another name is Tacrolimus and also known as FK506... and the company is Fujisawa in Japan, (if someone wants to check those out on searches etc). They show the complete studies, etc.

Something I found interesting is that Tacrolimus suppresses the antigen-specific T-cell activation and inhibits the inflammatory cytokine release.

What I found interesting about that when researching the genes, receptors, T cells, etc in Lichen Sclerosus ..is this:

"Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and associated skin lesions show T cell enriched infiltrates, sometimes resembling the histologic picture of early mycosis fungoides. It is supposed that the infiltrating T cells participate in the pathogenesis of atrophy and sclerosis.

So if this product inhibits the T cells it just may be what we're looking for eh?

AND THEN THIS: (talking about interleukins with LS and Tacrolimus"protopic")

The pathogenesis of "lichen sclerosus" is unknown but probably involves cytokine mediators such as interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)."Thus, IL-1RN may be a candidate gene or severity factor for lichen sclerosus.

AND THIS:

"The unique distribution of interleukin 1 receptor (IL1ra) antagonist alleles among women with vulvar "vestibulitis" suggests that polymorphism in this gene may be a factor influencing susceptibility to this syndrome, severity of symptoms, or both."

And I found out that the Protopic or Tacrolimus blocks one of the Interleukins :

"Tacrolimus, is a potent immunosuppressive agent with the ability to block the production of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and inhibit T-cell proliferation. "

The above two clips mentioning LS and Vulvodynia both talk about us having the the factor of INTERLEUKIN 1, and Tacrolimus(Protopic) blocks INTERLEUKIN-2, so there is a difference in the numbers but it still may work for us as well. (obviously so far has)

and by inhibiting the T cell proliferation, inhibits the inflammation.

Studies have shown that topically applied Tacrolimus is minimally absorbed into the systemic circulation, the fraction that is absorbed is extensively distributed, and tacrolimus does not accumulate in tissues following repeated topical application.

In addition, Tacrolimus ointment is not inherently irritating, sensitizing, phototoxic, or photoallergenic when applied to 'intact' skin. Unlike some topical corticosteroids, tacrolimus ointment does not cause a decrease in collagen synthesis or skin thickness, nor does it produce skin abnormalities or depigmentation.

Dee~

Cont.

Press release on Protopic. (url below)

Also I think someone asked about Protopic and pregnancy. According to studies they DO NOT suggest it if you are pregnant. Showed it can cross the placental barrier as well as in mothers who are nursing..... but........ those were studies with Mice and also used in extremely high doses for 'transplants'... but If I were pregnant, I'd stay away from it personally, you certainly don't want to take a chance. Dee

http://kanpai.fujisawa.com/corporate/press/protopicapprove.htm

<a href="http://kanpai.fujisawa.com/corporate/press/protopicapprove.htm">Click here</a>

I have more official info, but think that's enough.. haha.. sorry for the length. hope it helps and good luck to those of you who give it a try, seems to be working for others, WOW.. NOW......... if only you can get your physicians (most likely a dermatologist) to give it to you. Please?? eyes looking heavenward, Also it comes in two strengths, and I'd suggest the lower since the vaginal mucosa is involved and would absorb much more. My two cents there.

warmest, Dee~