Psoriatic Arthritis

[Jessiedog67]

How many of you have this, I havn't met any body with it except me. Surely I'm not the only one.

[bispers]

Hi Jessiedog67

I have it - I was diagnosed nearly 3 months ago after about 3 years of trouble. I've heard of one other person with it.

I'm in early stages of treatment, 2nd attempt at medicines (bad side effects from first), taken for 8 weeks, and keeping fingers crossed that the improvement will come soon.

Bispers

[Jessiedog67 in reply to bispers]

Nice to know that there's someone else, Hi bispers, I had it now for about 5 years, it's stopped me from working, and I have to use a walking stick and hospital made insoles in my shoes, I am taking Methatrexate via injection, and 8 Tramadole a day, I also had and still get bad side effects, but the worst thing is the fatigue that comes with it. Hope you get better results with your treatment, than I had had so far, keep me updated, it will be great to have someone to talk to in the same situation.

[Artroc56]

Yes i have it- had it for about 3 years - moved on to biologicals which seem to have a much better success rate than DMARDS like Methotrexate. If it's working for you then fantastic- If it's not the let them know.

As this group is good BUT mostly aimed at RA can I recommend the facebook page "Psoriatic Arthritis Sufferers UK" - there are a lot of good folk on there.

[Jessiedog67 in reply to Artroc56]

Hi Artroc56 nice to hear from you, when you say biologicals what do you mean that, and I will try the facebook page, Thanks for the pointer, keep in touch.

[Artroc56 in reply to Jessiedog67]

the initial treatment route is a set of drugs referred to as DMARDS. this includes methotrexate. in the UK if you fail with two (or sometimes three) different DMARDS then you get to try biologicals (again just a name for a whole bunch of different drugs. DMARDS are cheap with a relatively low success rate. Biologicals are EXPENSIVE but with a much better success rate.

[cherryfied]

Hi. I too have PsA. Diagnosed at the beginning of the year and still finding my way really. Have reduced my hours at work to part time, and try and keep moving with exercise and physio.

It does seem a less common form of inflammatory arthritis and I do feel sometimes that on the arthritis side people focus more on RA and on the psoriatic side the focus is on skin/psoriasis, so it feels like we fall through the cracks sometimes! I've found the the same or similar pain management strategies still help though. It's about finding what works for you - although easier said than done I know.....

[Jessiedog67]

Hi Cherryfied, I have had to give up work as unable to do the hours required as fatigue as well as the pain wipes me out. PsA is not as common as other forms of Arthritis, and I agree with you, you never see much information anywhere about it, but another person on this site as told me about the Facebook page "Psoriatic Arthritis Sufferers UK", I'm goung to have alook at that. Keep in touch and nice to hear from you.

[cherryfied]

The fatigue thing is a killer isn't it, and not something I find people often understand. Really wipes you out! Thanks for the heads up re the Facebook group. I'll check it out.

[Ladyinredxx]

Lady 76 just been diagnosed after 10 months of hospital tests I also have osteopenia

and scoliosis didn't think it could get any worse, but it just did. Tried many pain medication but they don't work for me, now have to have chest X Ray so I can start

Taking Methotrexate very unsure about this as I pick up infections easily .

[Hidden]

hello no you are not the only one, I have it. I have had psoriasis on and off for years and since being diagnosed with arthritis in my knee it has taken up residence on the back of my leg. I have never had it linger for so long, or come up in unusual places before the arthritis . Doctors not too fussed, seems you have to get on with it, just use the creams etc. I have had acupuncture which has helped enormously, however, its expensive ! but worth it.

I am on a NHS 'Wellness ' programme referral for my arthritis at my local gym now, best thing I ever did ! The benefits are enormous. You apply through your doctor. You get a physio/trainer for 10 weeks and you then carry on independently at the gym. Again, there is a 'however' ! Get in quickly because the NHS/Government are withdrawring some of the funding for this service in the near future making it difficult for the local councils to subsidise this service... no comment ....

Hope this is a help.

[Ladyinredxx]

I have just been diagnosed never herd of it before , it' in my shoulders and both hips,

have pain 24/7 can't sleep hurts even to lie in bed. Do we have this for life.

[Hidden]

I was told I have psoriatic arthritis a few months ago as well as ostioarthritis I have it in most of my joints my hand are the worst I was put on sulfasalazine I only have a bit of psoriasis on my elbows and my finger nails have ridges and white patches I will try the Fb page you mentioned thanks.

[emsbank in reply to Hidden]

Please may I ask how you are doing on the Sulfasalazine ? I'm due to start taking this and concerned about the side affects. I only have pitting in one nail, a few nails have like brown splinter lines in, dry eyes, and itching inside my ears other than that I didn't think I had psoriasis, but have being diagnosed with this form of arthritis, I have pain in both writs elbows, knees ankles feet also my Achilles tendon in both ankles is very painful.

[AishaSalie33]

Hi there, hope u guys are all well. I am out in sunny South Africa and I don't know of any forums for this. I have had issues for the last 4 years and just never got out to the right drs until last Wednesday when I was diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis of the hip and sacroiliac joints. I also have some osteopenia, sclerosis of the sacroiliac joints and scoliosis of the base of the spine. I had my first treatment of 6 pills I. E. 15mg on Wednesday and I feel awful! I had nausea for the first 2 days, my hair is brittle, breaking and falling out and my mouth inside is completely raw and full of ulcers and don't even get me started on fatigue! So here's my question. ..I am only 33 years old with 3 small kids....does this get better? Will I be on it for the rest of my life and what else can I expect please.

[Seenie in reply to AishaSalie33]

Hello, try livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org

[GingerNinja72]

Hello everyone, I have just been to the rheumatologist for the first time today, and have been told I have psoriatic arthritis....I've had psoriasis since I was about 18 but generally quite mild with the odd patch here and there...so the diagnosis today was a bit of a surprise, to put it mildly. Any and all hints and tips will be most welcome and appreciated! I have been told to see my GP to start on sulfasalizide (not sure I've spelt that correctly?) and referred to a physio, oh yes and apparently I have flat feet and have to have insoles made?! It's been quite an interesting day....

[michael888]

I suffer from PA and have regular infusions of infliximab.

[Tanky]

Hi soz to hear UV been diagnosed with this. In 2015 I got diagnosed with arthritis mutalins second to psoriatic arophopy, I have had 2 toes amputated due to getting miss diagnosed and the GPs and surgeons and radiologist hadn't noticed that my bones have no cartilage between any of them from my neck to my toes, it started in my toes in roughly 2007-2008 and has progressed really fast. My rheumatologist made me feel like I was kidding her on abt my pain ( AV got mental health problems ) which didn't help me atol, she begged me not to go bk 2 orphapedics so a gave her the benefit of doubt n started on methotrexate injections but 5 top surgeons told me to go bk 2 them as soon as they start 2 amputate the tops of them 2 stop the inflammation spreading and getting more of the toe or even bits of foot cut off, I ended up just giving up on methotrexate 3wks ago as it's not working n rheumy has left all my toes n fingers go the same way as the ones amputated. AV got a lot of other health problems as well. Can I ask u if u have any problems with Ur stomach with having PA, if u don't want to say it's fine x