Meds

geanie

Hi I am new to the site and would be interested to hear of which drugs have helped people and the side affects that have been experienced from them I have psoriatic arthritis and have tried two different DMAD's just stoped methotrexate as did not feel well on it, I am due to see consultant on Monday and after looking at this site think I could get some valuable advise from all of you before I go
cheers

dreamdaisy

Hi geanie and welcome to the forums. I too have PA and I have taken virtually everything under the sun. One of the major problems we face is that each individual version of arthritis is slightly different, as are our reactions to the drugs. Whatever has 'worked' for me might not for you, and vice versa. What I will say, however, is that the meds have failed, in my opinion, to slow the progress of my PA, I have never ditched the crutches that I had to use after my first synovectomy and I am on increasing levels of pain relief. I sincerely hope that your journey thro this rubbish is far more successful than mine. Some people do find great benefit from the drugs, or a combination of them and I hope that will apply to you. I wish you well. DD

frogmorton

Hi Geanie

welcome form me too

As DD sdays it is all very hit and miss and one works for you might not work for me.

I am on Hydroxychloroquinine and have been for ages - so far so good, but others have problems with it.

Hope you find the right mix for you - did you get any anti sickness meds with your meth??

Love

toni xx

dorcas

Hi Geanie and welcome to the forum

There are quite a few of us PA people here and probably in our shared experience we've been on most of the meds that are 'out there' for treating this form of arther. :!:

I agree with what DD and Toni have said ... what suits one person may not suit another. It is a very individual journey we make with arther so 'finding' the right treatment lies very much in the hands of our rheummys and how we respond to the drugs.

I've been on various NSAIDs and DMARDs over the course of umpteen years, and most recently been on infliximab (anti tnf) in combination with Methotrex...plus pain meds and amatriptyline for night pain.
I do feel that though I've had to chop and change meds that over all they have slowed down the progress of the PA and I would have been a lot worse off without them!

Good luck with your appointment next week.... and please let us know how you get on. :!:

Iris x

geanie

Thanks for the replies
Toni does Hydroxychloroquinine have another name as I am not recognising what it is I had folic acid with the meth
and it did help with the nausea, but I seemed to be more tired and felt more unwell than before i was on it particularly the next day after taking it I was wiped out.
as I am fairly new to this and was only diagnosed last year it is really helpful for me to listen to all your different exeriences with the different types of help that is out there I have felt on previous visits to my consultant that I am not listened to and it's a case of ok u can try this and off you go now

thanks for taking the time to reply keep well
x

dorcas

Hi geanie,

I've posted you a link to the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPPA) which I found helpful in understanding more about the condition and the variety of drugs used in it's treatment. It meant I was better informed and could discuss the condition with more confidence with my rheummy.

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

hope it helps you too!

Iris xxx

ps.... might be an idea to write down all the points you want to discuss with your rheummy (effectiveness of current treatment, joint disease activity, sleep pattern, pain, swelling and stiffness) and also ask him what the treatment options for you are at this stage in your PA.

skezier

Hi Geanie,

I also think that what suits one person might not another but hope your rumo can come up with something to help you this time.

I failed on sulfa and had a whole string of reactions to it but it sort of helped for a couple of weeks and now am failing on mtx. I don't know what they might try next but will try and hang on the mtx as its at least holding the crohn's reasonably well.

Good luck with your appointment and nice to meet you. Cris x

geanie

Thank you to everyone who has replied :P

dorcas

Good luck for tomorrow geanie

you know we do 'pocket duty' on this forum? so lots of us can come with you in your pockets and give you support when you see your rheummy tomorrow.

((((hugs))))

Iris xx

speedalong

Hi Geanie, I have OA so no advice to give. Just wanted to say welcome and good luck with your appointment.

Speedy

hileena111

Hi Geanie
Just popped in to say welcome to the site.
I cant help....got OA in hips, back ankle and neck so I'm on different meds

Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

Tiredness is a common side effect of meth, geanie, usually the body learns to adjust. I am on weekly injected meth, daily sulphasalazine, naproxen and oral steroids, daily BP meds (a new development) and fortnightly humira injections (an anti TNF drug). I also take a weekly alendronic acid tablet which is supposed to protect against steroid-induced osteoporosis. I keep telling myself I would be a lot worse off without any of this stuff but on days like today that is, quite frankly, hard to believe. Moving around is very problematic today, so I ain't moving! What's that saying? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well I am broke and I can't be fixed. Je suis peeved. DD

It just occurred to me to say that I started this in '97, so I am further ahead than you! As I said before, how arthritis affects affects the individual is as varied as we are.

geanie

I can't thank you all enough for your msgs of support I've had a difficult and painful week,

Iris I had a look at PAPPA was really helpful ta

DD you are clearly amazing !

I will update tomoz after my visit to consultant

thank you all :P

dreamdaisy

Good luck for tomorrow, take a list of symptoms, pain levels, what makes things worse, what makes things better, any questions you might have regarding treatment etc - and a sample of wee. My hospital likes that, I think most do - they check it to ensure that one's kidneys are OK etc. Plesae let us know how you get on. DD (who is anything but amazing, but thank you anyway. Today I am a bad-tempered old crone. tomorrow, hopefully, I shall be a better-tempered old crone.)

ironic

Hi Geanie,

I just wanted to wish you well for your appointment tomorrow. I have been on Hydroxy for 12 months now and have not had any problems, but we all react differently to the medications. I have found that taking them with food helps to combat any sickness feelings.

Please let us know how you get on.

Lv, Ix

valval

hi have hydroxy did use naproxen as well but started to get mouth ulsers so stopped it take co codamlol for pain when things bad have oa and inflimation arther. good luck hope you find something to suit you soon it great when start to feel more normal good luck val

geanie

Hi to everyone
As you know I was at clinic today didn't see the usual consultant as it was his registra, quite a confusing consultation he has refered me to orthopedics as he says what I am describing is not what he would expect for pa sounds more like a mechanical problem in the knee !!! ???
pa certainly hasn't been ruled out and his suggestion of choice for the next drug to try is leflunomide but have to get the knee looked at 1st prob by going in with a camera
so bring on the camera lol !!!!
had a steriod injection so at least things will settle down while I wait for further investigation, fingers crossed it will last me through christmas
I'd had such a dreadful week and had reached an all time low for me on the way back up now and I can't thank you all enough for your messages of support
loads of hugs n thanks x

dreamdaisy

When I was at the start of being taken seriously about my left knee (late 2000) I lost a year (the whole of 2001) of possible treatment whilst orthopaedics and rheumatology argued about whose pigeon I was. At least he isn't ruling out PA, and may in fact be doing you a favour by asking for this investigation so keep on top of this, don't let weeks and months drag by, but why a camera? I was sent for MRIs, they show stuff up beautifully! I hope you start getting some answers soon. DD

mp1952

Hi Geanie

Just wondered how you had got on today??

Marion

mp1952

OOOps, sorry Geanie, I have just noticed you have already posted..

I'm struggling a bit with the new forum, I'm afraid

Marion