Psoriatic Arthritis

[MrsHolmes]

Hello,

I'm 26, and was diagnosed with Inflammatory arthritis in the summer of last year but they changed the diagnosis to Psoriatic in around November. I am on Sulfasalazine which seems to be working but do still get the odd flare up. Does anyone have any tips or advice or things that have worked for them that I can do alongside the medication? I get very swollen and sore fingers.

[Barney41]

Hi MrsHolmes,

I'm not going to be much help, I'm afraid, as I'm only just starting out; I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis just last week. My rheumatology person wants to put me on Methotrexate; this seems to be putting my health on a completely different level, as I've just been treated with NSAIDs and painkillers up to now. Weakening my immune system seems such a big step, it's causing be a bit of unwonted anxiety.

What I really wanted to say is (I hope I'm not just being naïve): have faith that the people who are looking after you know all the ins and outs of these conditions; anything at all you need to know, they are (or should be) ready and available to give advice and support. That's what they're there for, and in the vast majority of cases that's what they really want to do ... it's why they're in the caring profession.

Stay in touch and keep us all up to date.

[WithOrWithoutYou68 in reply to Barney41]

Hi, I am 55 years old Male & I've got psoriasis 30 + years & Haemochromotosis & Fibromyalgia in the last 3 years and I've been on Methotrexate injections for 2 years now and I have found that it works for me on my psoriasis it clears it up lovely BUT for the pain that's a different story all they want to do is give me different painkillers & they give me bad headaches & upset stomach every time , so I take a small amount of cannabis for the pain and it works for ME & brings MY pain from a 10 down to a 4 / 5 with in a few minutes so , IT MIGHT NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE BUT IT WORKS FOR ME, THANK YOU & GOD BLESS ALL WHO ARE SUFFERING WITH PAIN.

[Seenie]

Come visit us at livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org

[kevodesmo]

Hi i have had psoriatirc arthritis for 5 years (now 35), The best advice I can give is if your in alot of pain to tell your rhumatologist as there are many treatments available.I started with sulfasalazine then methotrexate,ended up on the maximum dosage and still wasn't helping.Im now on benepali which is a biologic treatment and is finally easing the pain,fingers crossed it stays that way.Its taken me 5 years but hopefully you can find the right treatment much sooner just keep at it.

[garden22]

Hi I have the same psoriatirc arthritis And eczema which I’ve live with eczema since I was child them I got this other psoriasis arthritis also a another form on

My feet with eczema I’ve tried everything and then the tablets methotrexate but no good and now on Humira injection injection twice a twice with is live like your been on nearly a year but has made worse had more patch test still no luck just hope they find something as hand tops insides on hands feet top souls and patches all over I just keep praying

[BeeBee50]

Hi there I've got psoriatic arthritis too, had small patches of psoriasis first which i could cope with, then overnight i thought I'd got chicken pox!! It was everywhere 😕 my dermatologist said that stress is a big factor in flare ups and over 3 years of having a nightmare neighbour I can believe its stress related in my case. I've had the light treatment which worked for a short while, ask to have that. I also developed CFS and fibromyalgia and started to think why Me?? Its dragged me down now my fingers are swollen and bent with nerve endings gone aswell....Bless you we are all hear to listen to each other and any advice big or small is useful. A miracle pill is needed asap

[Barney41 in reply to BeeBee50]

Hi, I've been off the radar for a while now. I've now been on Methotrexate for about a year, and both my arthritis and my psoriasis appear to have improved. I'm much more flexible in my movements (little or no pain) and the patches of psoriasis seem to have receded a bit.

I had to jiggle my folic acid intake as I was getting painful mouth ulcers but, touch wood, that's sorted now. If I get scratches or other wounds they do seem to take a long time to heal … just don't fiddle with the scabs!

Many of the contributors here have much worse conditions than I do, but I have faith that we're never given more to bear than we have strength for; never give up hope, and keep as positive as you can. My appearance on this site is likely to be intermittent, but I'm happy to talk whenever I get on line.

Barney41