Do you have Psoriatic Arthritis, could give me pointers for information on living with the condition apart from the medical side? Thanks

[sciqueen]

Hi Elaine

this website is for predominately for RA (rheumatoid arthritis), most of us have that and other inflammatory arthritic conditions. I don't know of anyone with your condition on here, but I know the meds are the same or very similar and this is the same for krohns disease which is inflammation of the digestive tract.

I've included some links to web sites that are more suited to your condition:

psoriasis-help.org.uk/Psori...

A more general website that deals with all arthritic conditions is:

arthritiscare.org.uk/forums...

Lastly don't forget to check out NRAS for info on the drugs used as they are pretty similar (maybe different doseages), but NRAS give you good understanding.

Good luck & keep us informed

Sci

[Hidden in reply to sciqueen]

Sci, I guess I've been on here so long I'm blending into the woodwork..so to speak.

I have had Psoriatic Arthritis for over 30 yrs, and RA for 11, or more. Most of my first symptoms were from PsA, ie, my feet, spine, then hands and wrists.

PsA can be more stubborn to respond to the DMARDs, the Biologics along with MTX work best.

Living with Psoriatic Arthritis is the very same as living with RA, or any other arthritis. The key word is "Living"!

If you can tell me in what ways you are affected, I can give you lots of advice on how to go about doing housework, etc. Tell me what you need to be able to do, I'll be glad to help. It's about time I write another blog, so that will be a good topic. Loret

[sciqueen in reply to Hidden]

Hi Loret

I never knew, I suppose, noone came to mind who had Psa, when I wrote the response.

Thanks for informing me Loret - I shall remember for future reference

Joanne x

[Hidden in reply to sciqueen]

lol, I was kinda teasing you, with all of us on here, it's impossible to remember everyones' diagnosis.

Reminds me, do you remember Rheumatoidymommy? She had similar wrist surgery as I did, a week after mine, and then there was something missed, if I recall, and she had to go back to surgery and I haven't heard from her any more. I'm putting her on my todo list to look her up. She has 2 or 3 little ones at home. Or, has she been here since March and I missed her? Later, Lxxx

[Hidden]

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with sero-negative Inflammatory Athritis in June, most likely Psoriatic Athritis but might be RA (or conceivably some other kind). There are actually a few people with Psoriatic Arthritis here ... I expect they will reply to you.

I have to say my Rheumatologist is in no hurry to move forward with the diagnosis and I think that is partly just because the system does move too damn slowly but also because treatment options seem to be identical. I have tried hard to find a reliable website that distinguishes between RA and PA, especially in terms of symptoms but it seems difficult to tell them apart for sure. (I realise that Psoriasis symptoms definitely do set PA apart, but I have no skin rashes, just a couple of affected toenails that don't bother me).

I have a feeling that alcohol is a real no no with Psoriatic Arthritis and I did come across some dietary advice that seemed quite established - cannot remember what it was called but should be easy enough to find online! Otherwise something that this site can really help you with is the question of how to live with the drugs - Methotrexate is a hot topic, for example.

I think that like RA, PA is an unpredictable so and so. And if you trawl through blogs and discussions here you'll get a feel for how people cope with that. I'm staying on this site even if I get a definite PA diagnosis unless someone turfs me off! It's friendly, fun and people here really care about each other. Good info, too. Why not blog again and tell us more about yourself and what's happening with you? (And I'd be keen to know what specifically PA symptoms you experience).

All the best to you. xxx

[helixhelix]

PA / RA/ JIA or even palindromic arthritis, all so similar that I reckon it's just like different types of roses, maybe slightly different colours, shapes and some climb and other are ground cover.....but they're all still roses!

The best advice I can give you is to try to keep your stress levels down... so rest and eat well, and try to keep moving as much as you can. Hard when things are painful, but even a few stretches can stop you stiffening up. And don't overload on information, take it me step at a time. Take care, Pollyx

[Jo090807]

Hello Elaine100

I use this site and suffer with Psoriatic Arthritis. From what I read RA and PA are about the same. Since being diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago, I have to alter my life alot. I have most of my pain and stiffness in hands and feet, but now progressing to the jaw and elbow too !!

I drive an automatic car with a padded wheel cover to support the hands and also helps the feet too.

I use large handled cutlery when eating.

I have changed all my shoes to E width fitting with supports.

I wear support gloves at night to help with the swelling and stiffness.

All of this has been done gradualy over time. Everytime I have found a problem, we have overcome it. Life goes on,but maybe with a little more pain.

I keep a smile most of the time, but I do use this site regulary as it does give a comfort that your not on your own. We are all here to help.

Jo x

[Hidden in reply to Jo090807]

Hi Jo,

Sorry for not responding sooner I think I missed yours!! When you mentioned the jaw it explains a lot as I have started to feel swelling around the jaw line and thought it was swollen glands, on mentioning it to the GP he made no comment.

I agree on the shoes, I have gradually changed all mine over to a very good shop called Hotter Shoes.. You can purchase over the phone and on line. You can get some really classic and modern styles, and heavenly to walk on. I recommend going to the shop for fitting first, once you have the name of the shoe you like, then use the phone. My nearest is a hour and half away, we tend to make a day of it with lunch thrown in.

When eating out in restaurants, I always ask for a steak knife, that way I can generally cut whatever. We are going to try another cruise this year and see how I get on. The worse bit will be the formal nights, when you really need 'dainty shoes', instead of 'clobb hoppers' as I call them.

Elaine

x

[rattusrattus]

hi Sciqueen,

pa and ra are pretty similar diseases, the difference as far as i know are the joints which are effected are different. ra attacks the fingers and small joints and pa is more likely to attack hips and larger joints. but both diseases can totally contradict what i've just said and attack at random and be hard to differentiate, even for doctors and rheumattoligists.

the skin is also affected too in pa too.

and as far as i know, both conditions can affect the heart and lungs.

ive apparantly got pa and as pa is a rheumatoid arthritis,

i personally think this website is an ideal and very supportive site for you to get information about your joints, the meds, etc whether you have ra or pa, they are both an auto immune, inflamatory disease and pa is classed as a rheumatoid disease so on a way us pa'ers also have ra, just a different version of it..

[rattusrattus]

sorry, that comment was for elaine100 not sciqueen.. danm brain fog

[sciqueen]

Hi All

Right let me clarify, those website are good for research as the first address the different types of PsA (there are 5 categories). I used the website myself when I was looking at the different types of arthritis and how they are treated. The other has more peps within the arthritic spectrum. Thus my intention was to direct Elaine to additional information.

As I was clearly wrong - there are others on here with PsA who can offer advice, its just a shame I was the first responding blogger. For that I stand corrected. Those websites I suggested are also good for additional information. That is it, so stop reading anything more into my responding blog, other than that I made a genuine mistake and could not think of other peps with PsA.

Sci x

[Hidden]

I feel really bad for writing my question as it appears I have upset a few people with the responses I can see, this was not my intention and I apologise to the people concerned. I was directed to this website when I started to receive my medication from Health Care at Home, and the nurse advised me to 'dip in and out'. As I had not seen anything about PSA, I thought I would raise the question I did and see if there was anyone else out there with the same condition.

In relation to the skin condition of Psoriasis, I was born with this and have had each and every type and know the aspects of living with it off to pat. PSA was the last to arrive and I am trying to get to the same speck as I am with the skin.

Lastly I will do as suggested and look at these other sites, plus write a full blog later, introducing myself properly.

Best wishes,

Elaine