Good news - Psoriatic Arthritis progress!

[Soreknees2016]

I have previously posted about issues relating to treatment (or lack of) for my PsA, but am pleased to report that I finally got an appointment with the rheumatologist last week, and he agreed to put me on methotrexate. I also had both knees and ankles x-rayed there and then, which is something I had wanted for a while, although I don't yet know what the results were.

Just by chance, with just a few days notice, I also got a long awaited appointment with my dermatologist that same day, and although this was for another condition (genital lichen sclerosus) I got her to have a look at the psoriasis on my hands and feet, and she gave me treatment for that away with me - no messing about waiting for GP prescriptions.

I left hospital after quite a long day, but for once feeling really positive that some progress was finally being made.

Since then, I have been using the psoriasis treatment and it is clearing up really well. I have taken my first dose (10mg) of methotrexate today, and although I felt decidedly weird an hour or so after taking it, that now seems to have passed after a lie down in a cool room and I am just hoping that it will work for me in the long term.

So it's onwards and upwards and I'm happy to be posting something positive for a change! 😀😀😀

[LizzieR]

I'm so pleased for you! Keep feeling positive- I'm sure it helps x

[Soreknees2016 in reply to LizzieR]

Thank you! 😀

[James53]

Great news. Hope things continue to improve for you. All the best for your ongoing treatment

[Soreknees2016 in reply to James53]

Thank you! 😀

[popsmith1874]

Good news hope things continue to be good

[Soreknees2016 in reply to popsmith1874]

Thank you! 😀

[Hidden]

Yay!

Methotrexate may well help your psoriasis too. Isn't it great when things fall into place? Hope everything goes well for you.

[Soreknees2016 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you and hope you are keeping well too. If it hadn't been for your advice on an earlier post, I may not have been quite so assertive in asking for treatment, so big thanks!

Now, I know mtx is supposed to take 3-12 weeks to start taking effect, but I'm sure my ankle, which has been swollen and a bit niggly sore for well over a month, is looking and feeling better today, and I feel generally less stiff overall. Maybe that's just coincidence, my imagination or wishful thinking, but I'm not complaining! 😀😀😀😀

[Hidden in reply to Soreknees2016]

LOL! Just lately the more I recommend assertiveness to others, the less it seems to help me. But there again I have finally sorted out a bit of an impasse so that's probably all part of it, if at first you don't succeed etc! But you have got there and that is brilliant.

I have found that when everything starts to fall into place - good doctor, appropriate treatment - then I do feel a little bit better just through sheer relief. Feeling 'stuck' in whatever way does not help my PsA one bit whereas getting somewhere does appear to help.

I found Mtx was like WD40 for my joints. Humira has been better still. So far I have never returned to the mess I was in before treatment commenced, 5 years and counting.

[MaxineButler]

I inject both Methotrexate and Humira for PsA the aches and pains are 100% better and my psoriasis has all gone even my nails on hands and feed are very much improved. I hope everything improves for you too.

[Soreknees2016]

Thank you - that's very encouraging! Hope you continue to enjoy good health! 😀