Dupixent in Australia

Dupixent has finally arrived in Australia!  I have been waiting a long time for this to happen!

The Australian government FINALLY put Dupixent on the Medicare system, so I only have to pay $42 instead of $1,700 for two injections.  I was waiting for this moment to happen, and it did about 10 weeks ago.  I was able to get into the dermatology team at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and get the prescription.  I was on the waiting list to be one of the first ones to get it as soon as it was available under the Medicare system.

Eczema Support Australia lead the charge

I am thankful to the Eczema Support Australia Team for petitioning to get Dupixent put on the Medicare system.

Eczema Support Australia led a twenty-strong delegation of individuals affected by eczema to the Federal Parliament to share their stories of living with the condition, which garnered significant support from Federal MPs and Senators.

My long challenging treatment journey

I suffer from red skin syndrome, and my body had become addicted to steroid cream.  I was always hot, itchy and, red all over. Looking back 18 months ago, I did not have a plan. I was unsure of what was causing my red skin and body heat.  I would get temporary relief from Prednisone that my doctor prescribed.  Prednisone is very dangerous and is only a short-term solution to get my body under control again.

I have tried Mycophenolate, which did not work for me.  I ended up with Shingles not long after I started it.  I have tried Cyclosporine, which worked, but my dermatologist told me this would not be a long-term solution.  I was also taking Zyrtec allergy pills twice daily, doing wet wraps routinely, and using more than enough steroid cream.

What is Dupixent?

Dupixent is the first biologic therapy for severe eczema and is injected once a fortnight for the rest of a person’s life.

The side effects I experienced

Now I have been on Dupixent for 8 weeks, and I am just amazed at how good I have been feeling lately.  In the first 4 weeks, there were some side effects, watery eyes, and some issues with my feet.  The skin on my feet went completely hard, turned paper-like, and peeled off very slowly.  It took about 3 weeks for my feet to heal.  My feet were like a label on a glass bottle that you try to peel off.  Some bits of the label come off easy, and some bits stick on.  It was the stuck-on bits that really hurt my feet and made it really uncomfortable.  I am not sure if this is a common side effect.

Is it working for me now?

Eight weeks into using Dupixent and I have stopped using steroid cream.  I no longer need to do routine wet wraps.  And I have cut back on my use of allergy pills.  I do not feel as hot anymore.  I am getting a better night's sleep which has been fantastic.  My face and my skin look much more healthy!

Dupixent has so far worked for me.

Has it worked for you, or are you considering going on it?