Psoriatic arthritis not coping well

Hiya Lou,

Sounds like your having a tough time. Does your Rheumtology Dept. have a nurses helpline they be able to offer you help while your waiting to see if these meds are going to be the right ones for you. I have been in a similar situation to you quite a few times and I've been offered systematic steroid injections or localised injections. Could you ask for stronger pain relief and anti inflammatory tablets, please make sure they give you a stomach protector along with the anti inflammatory tablets as they can damage your stomach with long term use. Make sure you let the GP and hospital know how difficult it for you especially with two young boys.

It's hard to find the time that you need to rest and normal household tasks can feel like a mountain, be sure to ask friends and for help when you need it.

I was diagnosed after my third daughter was born, my husband worked away from home and I lived on the other side of the country to my family. There's been times when I've had to use crutches to help me walk, when I was in so much pain, I wanted an ankle fusion, but with the help of a brilliant physio, I no longer use any walking aids, I can walk much greater distances and hoovering the house is a quick 10 mins rather than spilt up over 2 days. It does get better, it's just the waiting out while you find the right treatment that is the worst part. But when you do it can change everything. Hang in there, I'm sure you doing the best you can for everybody, but try to save some time in the day for you.

G x

Hello . I new to this . I going for test to see if I have psoriatic arthritis. My both wrists are swollen and very painful on flare ups . Plus I have diabetic neropothy in both feet .so you can imagine the pain I'm in 24/7 . Is there any advice plz .

Yes I have had a long period of flaring. I guess we're talking well over a year of severe symptoms including crushing fatigue, very swollen knees and shivering / low grade fevers. For much of that time anything like normal life was impossible.

The traditional DMARDs, Mtx mainly, got me out of the worst of the flare but really it was only when I started on Humira that my health really improved. NICE guidelines allow for biologic therapy if you have 2 or more persistently swollen / tender joints and have not responded sufficiently to 2 or more DMARDs.

In your shoes I would play the 'busy young working mum' card to the max. It may well be that you qualify for biologics but there does seem to be some unofficial rationing going on. That's why we have to be assertive in our quest for the best possible treatment.