Question:
I was taking PUVA treatments but finally talked doctor into prescribing a home UVB unit, not because the PUVA was not doing the job but comuting three times a week for the PUVA was costing plenty in time and money. The head of clinic recommended National Biological Corporation equipment, which was in use at the clinic. I got the Panasol 2-foot unit (four two-foot tubes) for $1359.58, and it works great. It incorporates a count-down circuit which must be reset to allow additional treatments; reset is accomplished by entering a code which must be obtained from the doctor, so that continued medical supervision is a necessity. > I am considering purchasing a home UVB light unit. Price is no Object. Any > recommendations or comments on most effective units? I’ve tried all the > treatments and UVB light is the only one that helps me to clear. > Thanks. > Debbie Giffin
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Response:
> I got the Panasol 2-foot unit (four two-foot tubes) for >$1359.58, and it works great. It incorporates a count-down >circuit which must
Hmmm. this must be an updated model? I have the Panasol II, but mine is 4 tubes and they are (never measured them) about 5 or 6 feet. Mine has a timer with a Set of keys. I like the feature that yours has. If I understand you correctly, it will not work after so long without a new code from your doctor? Mine does not run out, I can set the timer myself and it only turns off when it reaches the set time. I do not feel bad though, as Aase made me feel like I was ripped off for the price of mine, stating they are so much cheaper in Norway (maybe a better medical system). Two feet. How do you treat all your areas? Thanks! Scott M. Gray
Response:
> >A 4 tube unit can be bought here for about $550, I think… > So, what are you saying, I am an idiot, fool and some 4 letter > metaphors <chuckling>….. Who knows, I have not looked, > maybe it was $1250 and the rest shipping to Hawaii AIR > FEDERAL EXPRESS. I certainly know it was not $550 > unless that is the pricing today.
Nope, Scott, you’re not an idiot!!! <g> I talked with a representative from the company who sells Waldmann units here, and he told me that the prices are pretty low here in Norway (unlike anything else, I might add)… That might be part of the explanation… He thought you could get them in the US, but he didn’t know which company sells it. If anybody is interested, I can post the name, address etc. of the German producer of the Waldmann units. They should know where you can get them in the US… It might be a good idea to check around for different brands… — Best regards, Visit my homepage: Med vennlig hilsen, <URL:http://home.newmedia.no/flaker/> _Aase Marit_ 
))))))
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ongoing from my earlier post I can tell you what happens when you have > excess PUVA treatment….. > Simply the assistant initially chats at length to you ref skin types etc > etc. Slowly with each visit the intensity and length of exposure > increases. Now the problem is as in the earlier post – the art is not to > burn the skin nor have too little exposure which requires in itself a > special understanding. > With myself I was ‘over’ exposed and the next day felt itching. Nope, no > red marks just itching, nowhere in particular, just continuous and it > caused many very restless nights. This lasted almost 3 weeks (!!) and I > can assure you I’d rather have experienced a sunburn on the beach than > that. No amount of ‘anti’ itching tablets including the ones prescribed > worked and that in a way that put me ‘off’ having further treatment. > The simple fact is you have to be really careful. You only get one body > and attempting to do things in the belief you are correct but without > medical consultation IMHO is a very unwise thing to do. > Michael
Hi, Michael! I wondered… Have you heard about people doing PUVA at home? That would never be allowed here. I could certainly never try myself, IMO that is something you need close monitoring to do… But, home UVB units are used here. It is however common to use them with a dermatologists advice. Up here where many people live e.g. 600 km from a light unit, having one at home is great. Unfortunately there’s no way to get it covered 
That way many people simply can’t afford it… But, the system will pay for the same people going to the nearest town, and staying in a hotel to get their treatments… How is that for stupid? Oh, well… Oh, boy… Right now there’s a doc on TV mentioning aroma therapy with camomille oils etc. for P (and other ailments)… He is one of the few here with education in both traditional and alternative medicine… Shoot, he didn’t say anything more, just mentioned it briefly… Guess he meant for people with P who are stressed out/reacts badly to stress… — Best regards, Visit my homepage: Med vennlig hilsen, <URL:http://home.newmedia.no/flaker/> _Aase Marit_ ))))))
Response:
>I am considering purchasing a home UVB light unit. Price is no Object. Any > recommendations or comments on most effective units? I’ve tried all the > treatments and UVB light is the only one that helps me to clear. >Thanks. >Debbie Giffin
I didn’t know they even sold these?? Paul
Response:
> I purchased a light unit about 3 years ago. It cost me then > about $1550 delivered into Hawaii if I remember correctly. > I got the 4 Tube standup model (One sided, not a circular > booth) It is the Panasol II, from National Biological > Corporation. 1-800-338-5045.
Hi, Scott! $1550??? That was a quite stiff price for a 4 tube unit, I think… For about that price I could get a Waldmann 100 here, stand-up with 8 or 10 tubes. It folds together, so that when you’re using it, you’ll have two "wings" on the sides (45 degree angle) which will light your sides… Can you get Waldmann units "over there"? Most people are very happy with them. The Waldmann 100 is the little brother of the one most derms here have in their offices, the W1000. A 4 tube unit can be bought here for about $550, I think… — Best regards, Visit my homepage: Med vennlig hilsen, <URL:http://home.newmedia.no/flaker/> _Aase Marit_ ))))))
Response:
>if you do get a prescription for such equipment as a medical product, you can
then deduct it from your taxes as a medical expense. This however MUST be prescribed >BEFORE you place the order
It is, but I was not able to claim it against ours, as the medical expenses for that year did not exceed I think it was, 2% of our Gross or something. Not that we made that much then, just did not have a large medical bill due to the Military benefits. Scott M. Gray
Response:
>A 4 tube unit can be bought here for about $550, I think…
So, what are you saying, I am an idiot, fool and some 4 letter metaphors <chuckling>….. Who knows, I have not looked, maybe it was $1250 and the rest shipping to Hawaii AIR FEDERAL EXPRESS. I certainly know it was not $550 unless that is the pricing today. Okay, I am an idiot, fool and many other things….maybe my DOC got a kick back, who knows….I called about 20 billion places and could not find it anywhere else at that time. Now I feel really bad and this was the last post I was to read for this 92 minute session……thanks alot. Now the picture I received Email today, I will have to go back and look at it to get "Refreshed" again. Have a safe trip to Oslo…… Scott M. Gray
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I purchased a light unit about 3 years ago. It cost me then > about $1550 delivered into Hawaii if I remember correctly. > I got the 4 Tube standup model (One sided, not a circular > booth) It is the Panasol II, from National Biological > Corporation. 1-800-338-5045. >Hi, Scott! >$1550??? That was a quite stiff price for a 4 tube unit, I think… For >about that price I could get a Waldmann 100 here, stand-up with 8 or 10 >tubes. It folds together, so that when you’re using it, you’ll have two >"wings" on the sides (45 degree angle) which will light your sides… >Can you get Waldmann units "over there"? Most people are very happy with >them. The Waldmann 100 is the little brother of the one most derms here >have in their offices, the W1000. >A 4 tube unit can be bought here for about $550, I think…
Well I’ve read this thread regarding purchasing UVB home lights with a bit of intrigue. No one has mentioned using such items without medical advice and direction. I live in the UK and have *always* been advised by my d that using light equipment has to be considered very carefully. Medically carried out PUVA treatment for example is exceptionally well controlled. It’s a balance of not burning the skin but challenging p and in many instances if done exactly works out well many times. To start purchasing lights to use at home without medical attention to me sounds just a bit scary. Just thought to point out some comments on that subject. Michael —
Response:
>attention to me sounds just a bit scary. >Just thought to point out some comments on that subject.
And good points they are. Since in the US one needs a prescription by ones doc, I would hope that they are seen regularly. Of course I was not, but I hope others do. I have summized after my appt with the derm that I know more than they do (all but one Colonel I had in Fort Gordon GA) and they really just want you out of the office. I have only seen Military or Civilians working for the military, so I can only speak of that. While UVB can be dangerous, you only make a mistake once every so often and you learn a real lesson, as I did twice. Burns from UVB for me were worse for the two days or so than any sunburn I had in 20 years of living near the beach in Florida. If statistics are correct, and just one sunburn increases your chance of skin cancer by 40-60%, then I now should be dead. I have been burned so many times in my life that I should be covered with noma’s. I am just lucky I guess! Scott M. Gray
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->attention to me sounds just a bit scary. >Just thought to point out some comments on that subject. [sorry snipped] >While UVB can be dangerous, you only make a mistake >once every so often and you learn a real lesson, as I did >twice. Burns from UVB for me were worse for the two >days or so than any sunburn I had in 20 years of living >near the beach in Florida. If statistics are correct, and >just one sunburn increases your chance of skin cancer >by 40-60%, then I now should be dead. I have been >burned so many times in my life that I should be >covered with noma’s. I am just lucky I guess! >Scott M. Gray
Ongoing from my earlier post I can tell you what happens when you have excess PUVA treatment….. Simply the assistant initially chats at length to you ref skin types etc etc. Slowly with each visit the intensity and length of exposure increases. Now the problem is as in the earlier post – the art is not to burn the skin nor have too little exposure which requires in itself a special understanding. With myself I was ‘over’ exposed and the next day felt itching. Nope, no red marks just itching, nowhere in particular, just continuous and it caused many very restless nights. This lasted almost 3 weeks (!!) and I can assure you I’d rather have experienced a sunburn on the beach than that. No amount of ‘anti’ itching tablets including the ones prescribed worked and that in a way that put me ‘off’ having further treatment. The simple fact is you have to be really careful. You only get one body and attempting to do things in the belief you are correct but without medical consultation IMHO is a very unwise thing to do. Michael —
Response:
I am considering purchasing a home UVB light unit. Price is no Object. Any recommendations or comments on most effective units? I’ve tried all the treatments and UVB light is the only one that helps me to clear. Thanks. Debbie Giffin
Response:
>I am considering purchasing a home UVB light unit.
Price is no Object. Any recommendations or comments >on most effective units?
Hello Debbie, I purchased a light unit about 3 years ago. It cost me then about $1550 delivered into Hawaii if I remember correctly. Maybe $1550 was the unit (without going through the file cabinet and looking). I do remember that it was like $150 for the shipping. I got the 4 Tube standup model (One sided, not a circular booth) It is the Panasol II, from National Biological Corporation. 1-800-338-5045. I am sure they must be cheaper now. What I had to do, I am sure you are aware was, to have my doctor call in and that was the Prescription if you will, then they contacted me or me them (do not remember) and I selected the Unit I wanted. Money was not the big problem for me, but moving in the military and space was/is. I would have loved to buy the complete circular booth, but it was about $4500 at the time I think???? but I had no place to put it. SINCE YOU STATED "Price is no object", ensure you get one thing and that is the TIMER (built in clock). I all most did not get it, to save the money, but I am so glad that I Did. I have burnt myself on a couple of occassions in the past and that is not a fun burn. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. I hope this helps!!! Scott M. Gray
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