PA questions

poppygirl

Hi all,
Just got a couple of questions I wondered if anyone with PA on here could help me with?
I have very sore swollen sausage like fingers this morning, they have been sore for nearly a week now. I'm on mtx and sulfa plus had a Depo- med injection 4 wks ago. Went to see gp last thurs as that's when fingers first got really swollen, how long does a flare last? Gp gave me co-dydramol and said it should pass, how long though? as have to push a double buggy for work this week and dreading the pain.
My other question is could PA be caused by a sudden bereavement/shock that I had last year? My friends seem to think it could be but I'm new to all this and not heard of it before.
Thanks hope everyone has a good week.

woodbon

Hello, I'm glad you've come here as their are lots of people who will be able to help much better than I can. I am so sorry for your breavment and I'm sure that it might have something to do with your physical health. People often become ill after all the strain and upset of losing a loved one, which is understandable as it takes all your energy and time just getting through each day.

You sound a very strong person, going to work with a double buggy to push can't be much of a joke and getting little ones ready to go out first thing in the morning! The best thing to do would be to make an appointment and go along and see your GP as soon as possible, he will be able to help you and give you any medications you may need or send you to a specialist Rhuematology doctor, who can diagnose and treat any problem. I have OA, but from reading what others have said it sounds like PA is an option, but thats an uneducated guess, don't take my word, get proper help. The helpling here, too might be able to help and send you leaflets. They are very good. Good luck, let us know how you get on! Lots of love Sue

salamander

Hi PG, Sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. I can't answer as to how long your flare will last but hope it passes soon.

I was told by two research consultants there is no evidence that stress/shock causes onset of inflammatory arthritis. This after another doctor (a liver specialist, not even a rheumatologist!) told me my mother's death had caused mine. Actually, I got ill before she died so then the doctor said that my worry about her had made me ill! This being part of a strategy to make me feel guilty about being upset about my situation. My mother was guilty of many things herself but bears no responsibility for me contracting this horrible disease!

They do say, though, that stress can bring on flares. Personally, I haven't found any correlation between the two. But seeing as I am always in pain, perhaps I am always stressed lol!

There was a time when I wanted to make sense of why I had got this but it's not useful because you will never really know.

tkachev

Hello again Poppy,

I think when we go through trauma our bodies are less able to cope with illness and the effects can magnify themselves.

Take care
Elizabeth

skezier

Hi Poppygirl,

Nice to meet you flower and good that you have found here.

I have pa and oa but the pa it seems to flare or be active cus I don't really understand flares as such, for a s long as it wants to be.....

My Rumo told me to rest up and stay at a constant temperature and hopefully the flare will recede. I as on sulfa reaction to it now on mtx and really its not working so good. Just one up gain and see the rumo again in December.

I really sympathise with the fingers I have only got 2 doing that but they might also be the cold cus I got duff circulation. I know hey hurt though.

So hope you soon feel better and the shock thing... I seem to remember it can come on cus of that kind of thing. Sending you a welcome draft and a ((( ))) and a hope things get easier for you. Cris x

barbara12

Hi Poppygril
Sorry I cant answer your question, but I just want to say welcome to the forum, you will get lots of support off theses lovely people.
Love
Barbara xx

poppygirl

Hi All,
Thankyou to everyone that replied, it means so much to know that you're not alone with this horrible disease. Just grabbing 5 mins while baby asleep (other 2 at nursery!) struggled today to push the buggy so have arranged with a fellow childminder to collect the children today, please God the swelling will have gone down tomorrow.
Re the shock causing PA, my best friends 6yr old passed away very suddenly last year and to be honest I was in shock and disbelief for long time, we are very close and I childminded little one when very small. I haven't told my friend how bad the PA is as compared to the pain she's going through mine is nothing. But felt dreadful when a few of my other friends mentioned the shock/connection it's as if last year wasn't bad enough. I know I'm probably being silly.
Thanks again and hope everyone has a good day x

tkachev

That is very sad Poppy. It must be difficult to talk to her about your illness I am sure. However don't neglect your problems as you need care too,

Take care
Elizabeth

dreamdaisy

I know that my PA is due to an over-active immune system, something with which I was born. It was manifest in eczema and asthma as a child and has now found this much better way of making my life uncomfortable. I know that in my case there is a very strong genetic link from both parents, which luckily for them they missed. I haven't come across any evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, for such a condition being triggered by an event such as a bereavement. These things do just happen.

Flares are unpredictable in their severity or length. I don't think one can ever say how bad one is going to be, or how long it may last. One has to learn to go with the flow, and hope that the meds slow their occurrence. I wish you well. DD

poppygirl

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies. I take great comfort from your kindness and wise words, I'm not looking to blame this on anything, it's just difficult all round with what's happened. There is absolutely no history of psoriasis or PA in my family, the first I knew about it was when I finally went to the dr last Jan with a terrible rash over the back of my neck, ears and scalp, I thought I would mention about the fingers on my hand swelling too and after several tests I was diagnosed with PA. Its pretty painful at the moment much more than it has been, but going to cook tea have a vath take some co-dydramol and go to bed. I'm sure it will look better in the morning. Thanks again to all that replied I am very grateful Xxx

woodbon

Hello, I'm sorry that you've had so much to cope with and hope that some of the health issues will begin to settle down for you.
Love Sue xxxxx

poppygirl

Hi all,
Went to see GP last night as fingers so painful and swollen also feel very achy and 'fluey' he thinks I may have problems with my meds as my WBC is low? Anyway, off sulfa and mtx this week and see Rheumy nurse next Thursday. I havent felt myself for a couple of weeks now, quite low and wonder if this explains it? Off to bed as have taken a day off.
Thanks again for everyones supportive replies x

woodbon

Hello, I'm glad you went to see your GP, hes the best person to help,in the first place. Sorry, I can't remember, have you already had a blood tes or is this a new thing? Sounds as if you've had one as he thinks you have wbc?? low. Don't know that one, but sounds like white blood cell, but I don't really know!!! I'm sure someone else will soon be along who will be more help to you. I hope the doc can give you something to help with the pain. Love Sue

poppygirl

woodbon wrote:

Hello, I'm glad you went to see your GP, hes the best person to help,in the first place. Sorry, I can't remember, have you already had a blood tes or is this a new thing? Sounds as if you've had one as he thinks you have wbc?? low. Don't know that one, but sounds like white blood cell, but I don't really know!!! I'm sure someone else will soon be along who will be more help to you. I hope the doc can give you something to help with the pain. Love Sue

Hi Sue, lying in bed meant to be resting but keep thinking of all the things I should be doing!!!! House is a tip and my lads have left football boots and mud all over my kitchen! I have blood tests done every 2 wks as I am on sulfasalazine and Methotrexate for PA. Have no idea if low WBC is what is making me feel so bad, my gp just said it's low, come off meds, make appt to see rheumatologist and given me anti biotics prescrip to take if I feel worse over 24 hrs. Took some painkillers and feel a bit better, just fighting the urge to clear up after my messy boys! Thanks Sue, hope u ok? X

skezier

Hi Poppy,

The mud and boots can wait flower cus really it doesn't matter that much...... I live with mud

Glad your resting up and I would say yep the low white cells could well make you feel as you are not least it leaves you open to any infections about you. Hope you stay resting for as long as you can and hang in there cus they should be able to get you sorted. Leaving you a ((( ))) but did knock the mud off it first Cris x

dorcas

Hi Poppy! nice to meet you.

I've got PA too... had it for best part of 15yrs or so.

I'm sorry too that you're friend lost her little child... such a tragedy and certainly a shock to the body and mind. :roll:

My rheummy is one who does hold to the idea that PA reacts when we are stressed.... but it's never been suggested to me that a life event or shock could be responsible for prompting the initial appearance of psoriasis or PA. As others have said PA is an auto-immune disease and so our wonky immune wiring is responsible for both the P & PA.

I've posted you a link to the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Alliance website; there's a huge amount of information there about this condition and treatments that you might find helpful.

http://papaa.org/tiki-custom_home.php

your 'sausage fingers' are typical of PA. Hopefully once the 'flare' subsides the swollen fingers will return to how they were before the inflammation appeared.

I'm sorry you've had to come off your rheummy meds just now but it is good that your GP has asked for you to be seen by rheummy who hopefully will review what you're on and prescribe a combination that will work for you.

I've had problems with hands and fingers and find that hot wax treatment works very well for me in providing soothing relief for a short time and helps with the stiffness. I bought a wax unit for using at home but some physios offer wax treatments so might be worth asking about that so you can try it?

hope you are resting today and not being tempted to get out the hoover!!!

let us know how you are Poppy!

Iris xxxx

poppygirl

Hi Iris and Cris
Thanks for your replies, I must be poorly to leave the kitchen in that state! that's what u get with 3 teenage lads used to Mum clearing up after them! Thanks for Psoriasis info, isn't it daft, I've done some research on the arthritis, but not much for Psoriasis. Think I was probably struggling to take everything in, but I've read up now and so grateful it's not as bad as some people have to cope with.
Still feeling 'fluey' but no temp, will wait and see if I'm like this tomorrow I'll start the Amoxycillin, also have to work tomorrow can't afford anymore time off! Thanks so much for encouragement and support it means a lot, wishing you well.

skezier

Hi Poppy,

You know the mud can wait I also think maybe it would be better if you did take tomorrow off flower...Is there any way you can? I can't ever but they that's why I don't get better :roll: I hope you do eel a lot better once on the amoxicillin... its a good broad range and works well so fingers crossed for you there. A ((( ))) and a bucket of hopes Cris x

woodbon

Hi Poppy, Sorry you feel so poorly. Lets hope things can be sorted out quickly and you get some help from the anti biotics. Try to forget about the housework its not important. If you rest now you feel poorly, you might find once you feel better you can tackle it one bit at a time. Don't go at it like a bull at a gate. Take care, love Sue xxxx((()))

poppygirl

skezier wrote:

Hi Poppy,

You know the mud can wait I also think maybe it would be better if you did take tomorrow off flower...Is there any way you can? I can't ever but they that's why I don't get better :roll: I hope you do eel a lot better once on the amoxicillin... its a good broad range and works well so fingers crossed for you there. A ((( ))) and a bucket of hopes Cris x

Hi Cris
Tried to take your good advice and take tomorrow off, but would cause too many problems for the parents of the children I childmind. Decided (as don't feel any better) to start taking the Amoxycillin, sometimes you've got to just grin and bear it! The kiddies are lovely and hopefully my back up childminder can take or collect frm nursery to spare me the pain of pushing my double buggy. I'll be ok, but thanks for support and advice sending u a hug ((())) x ps my 16yr old cleaned up my kitchen without being asked?!!! Wonders will never cease! X