PA & AS

[claretandblue1]

Hi, I am about to start Methotrexate in 2 weeks time for my PA, which I am informed may help my AS. Anyone on it? and could you say if you have benefitted from it? Thanks

Mike

[Nottobad]

Hi I have Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. I was offered this drug but refused it. Due to me having COPD. And one of the side effect could be damage to the lung. With me already having damaged lungs I didn't want to chance it.

[claretandblue1 in reply to Nottobad]

Thanks for replying. Many years ago I had a Pneumothorax due to a diving accident. I have a bit of thickening on one lung, but they say that is ok to go ahead with the drug!!

[Nottobad in reply to claretandblue1]

H I am on Leflunomide and sulfasalazine. These type of drugs are leathel. Do you have to go for regular blood tests. I also have to come off the drugs. If I have to on any antibiotics.

[claretandblue1 in reply to Nottobad]

I went for blood tests yesterday, to see if my Liver, Kidneys etc are ok for me to commence. If I take the drug I will have to have a blood test every week to start with, then see how we go from there!!

Just to keep you informed. My blood tests came back, and I have a problem with my Liver (reading high!!). So cannot commence with the Methotrexate....so now I am being advised to take Etanercept in a few weeks time.

[Nottobad in reply to claretandblue1]

Mine was every 2 weeks for the first 6 months. And now I go every month. For witch I am glad about. They alway had problem getting blood from me. Veins would collapse and just trickle out.

[Hidden]

Been on it and Leflunomide for years, even though I have Bronchiectasis with pseudomonas colonies, and it's helped me enormously. Blood tests every 4 weeks is a small price to pay.

[Crafty-Al]

Hi

I have PA as well as all the usual things associated with it.

I have been on Methotrexate and Enbrel for about 10 years now. It definitely helps me, I know the MEthotrexate healed up the Psoriasis patches I had.

I had to come off it for about 18 months when I developed Pneumonia and boy did I miss it, I really went downhill and I had to fight to go back on it. Now I am I am feeling a bit better. Now if only I could handle or get a grip on this horrid Chronic Fatigue. it's running me into the ground, any hints or tips would be great please.

[claretandblue1 in reply to Crafty-Al]

Many Thanks for your reply. I am hoping that it clears my patches, my back is nearly covered with the stuff!! and in my groin which drives me mad with the itching!! really hoping that it handles my AS, because I miss my long walks!! I get Fatigue, but I do find that keeping busy, as much as you can, helps. I had a quadruple by-pass a few years ago, and that helped my breathing!!!

[Hunibean]

Hi mike I have palindromic arthritis, so rare my gp was puzzled as to what i had. Eventually put me on methotrexate. Been on highest doze of 8 tablets every week for last couple of years and iv recently decided to come off them. I felt my condition is due to putting strain on my joints, lifting items, sitting the wrong way, kneeling down and as little as lifting up my grandson can trigger my joints to get red,swollen and inflammed. My condition has calmed down tremendously since i changed jobs and kno how far i can push myself and what triggers it off but felt the methotrexate made no difference as i still get the odd flare. Everyone is different and my friend gets the methotrexate injections and it seems to work for him so give a try. Hope it works for you.

[CindyCT]

Hello I'm on methotrexate, eight per week . And no pain relief. I have been taking them since September. Sorry I could not give you more help.

[claretandblue1]

Hi CindyCT, Thanks for your reply. I am now on Ciclosporin, which has worked wonders for my PA. The itching has gone, and also the plaques!! My next goal is the AS, which I will be taking Etanercept, next month, and I am informed that this drug will deal with the PA and AS!! So watch this space!!!