GM group. I hope everyone is well. We all know vitiligo is linked to autoimmune disease/disorder. We have an overactive immune system and it is attacking our own body. Those of you that are receiving various treatments to regain your pigment, have you ever ask your dermatologist
about slowing your immune system down while you are receiving your treatment? Doctors gives immunosuppressant drugs to patients when they are receiving an organ transplant to help their body not reject the new organ. If our overactive immune system is killing our melanocytes which produces melanin, the pigment that gives our skin color, if we slow it down (immune system) do you think that will stop the destructuction of our pigment cells and help us regain our color? Suppress enough to where repigmentation can occur and still be safe from other germs and bacteria.
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This is so interesting Lucy because in the past 6 months I have completely changed my diet and started taking a TON of vitamins and my Vitiligo is going crazy!! It is worse than it has ever been. So I think I have jacked up my immune system so much with my healthy diet and vitamins that maybe it is causing the Vitiligo to go nuts? I am not going to change my diet though, I feel so good, dropped 40 lbs. so going away from this lifestyle is not an option. It sucks that being super healthy could cause this...ARRGH!!!!!!!!!!!! :(
I thought you had to be healthy to get rid of it and not the other way around?
I've noticed that I haven't been getting sick at all this year. Usually once winter comes around I get a runny nose and cough but this year I haven't gotten a single cold! I guess it is because of the overactive immune system? I've had vitiligo for 4years and it's only this year that I haven't gotten sick..
I am new in acquiring vitligo but I believe that it is an organic disease.I have read research about auto immune diseases as well and share a couple with family members.However,I am curious whether diabetes,hemochromotosis, and anemia are common among individuals with vitiligo.Any observations?
i think my immune sustem is very active cux whenever some wasp sting me the spot doesn't pops n i nether had any other diseases obove dat ya mentioned
I have also been thinking about immunosuppressants, and I will be asking my dermatologist about this - I think they can be referred to as 'calcineurin inhibitors' as well.
It's scary when you hear about the added risks of side effects, but when we are seeking so desperately for something to work, it somehow seems worth a try! As what works for one person, wont necessarily work for another (as noticed from everyone one on here sharing stories of treatments). Its all trial and error, but dont give up on trying!
I have had an idea to actually get tested for other autoimmune disorders, as they can be associated - so maybe we are all seeing the wrong specialists! rather than seeing a derm, perhaps we should seek advice from a autoimmune specialist like a Rheumatologist?
Hi,
Just want to add some input to you comments. First it's great to see somebody brainstorming possible solutions to Vitiligo. Please don't ever stop. I do believe that the cure will come from the people that have vitiligo. I've been using protopic for a year now, with some spots completely gone.
For some reason it doesn't seem that the melanocytes are being killed or destroyed, but rather turned off, like a light switch.
Why do I say this? Well for the life of me I can't seem to wrap my mind around the fact that protopic has returned some pigmentation in some spots. Most importantly is that fact that the skin remember to return to the exact color it used to be.
I didn't start my life with this dark skin, it was lighter, only by spending many hour outside in the sun did I manage to get darker.
So how the hell does that skin return back to it's oringinal color before the Vitiligo started? Like a light switch!
Although I understand your concept, I don't see how it would work.
Aside from being used to prevent organ rejection...I don't see any autoimmune disease related to the skin that these drugs are used for. Here is a list of alternative uses (besides organ rejection) I pulled of the web:
The treating physician should be notified immediately if any of the following side effect
Lucy...figuring out the trigger and suppressing it is the cure we are looking for....it's just not going to come from those drugs used for organ rejection...although it might be a close cousin to it.
Keep the ideas coming...if I'm wrong, I do apologize in advance.
Jeff, thanks for your comment and I found your information very helpful. According to Everyday Health. com, all autoimmune disorders affects the skin.(http://www.everydayhealth.com/autoimmune-disorders/autoimmune-skin-...)
I still believe some if these medications used for various auto immune system disorders could double if not triple it's use to help with vitiligo. The strength of the drug might have to be weaken in order for it to work. Who knows?
For example, ( this dosen't have anything to do with vitiligo, well, at least not today, but just follow this history of medicine) compare how long aspirin has been in existence vs when researchers found out it can help with heart attacks and decreasing your chances of having a second stroke. The Ancient Greeks used willow bark as a fever fighter. The leaves and bark of the willow tree contain a substance called salicin, a naturally occurring compound similar to acetylsalicylic acid, the chemical name for aspirin.
Based on the list you provided above, I wonder how many people are using immunsuppressant drugs for the autoimmune disorders have vitiligo and receiving tretament? Of course you wouldn't want to use any type of light treatment. The next best option would be creams or other topical ointments. Your right Jeff side effects is something to think about. Everyone don't have the same side effects with the same treatment. It's almost you have to choose the lesser of the two evils. Once again Jeff thanks for the info.