Psoriatic Arthritis

VLAK

I am a female aged 42 and have had psoriasis for 12 years now. I was told that I will develop arthritis but later on in life. 2 months ago, gout flared up and my joints are very tight and painful. My lower back and upper back is very sore. My hands and feet is what bothers me most. On a very bad day I cant hold a pen and simple job like wiping myself, is impossible. I was very depressed for the first 3 weeks, but realized that life has to continue on. This website has been very helpful and would like to share and talk with people that understand this condition, as I too am just learning about this condition. The person I spoke to today was very helpful and will send me more information. I learned from him that I should see my GP and be referred to a rheumatologist as my dermatologist may not be the best specialist to treat my arthritis, I am doing that in 2 hours! I need to lose at least 30kgs and stay positive for my 4 children aged 15, 13, 12 and 5. Am hoping to learn and share more with you all.

barbara12

Hi VLAK
And a very warm welcome to the forum, I am sorry I cant help with any advice has I have OA, but quite a few people on here have PA and I am sure they will be along very soon.
I do hope to here more from you very soon.

dreamdaisy

Hello VLAK, it's lovely to meet you and rest assured you have found a little community of PsA sufferers on here! I have the arthritis without much evidence of the skin trouble (which is why it took so long for my arthritis to be 'accurately' diagnosed. I am fifteen years into the aches and pains, and now have OA to boot (which hurts in a very different way). I have sulphasalazine which seems to keep the P bit at bay quite nicely, I won't detail the other meds until we know what is happening to you. You do indeed need the knowledge of a rheumatologist, GPs rarely deal with the auto-immune variations of this conditions (OA is their thing) so I hope you get to see someone sooner rather than later: I wonder if your dermatologist could do an internal referral? I was gently bounced back and forth between orthopaedics and rheumatology in my early days of this, and it was rheumatology who sorted out a dermatology apppointment (never been back to them tho!)

I am rushing around like a mad thing today as I am due to go away tomorrow for a few days, but I hope to see your name on a few posts when I get back. We are a knowledgeable bunch on here, not only about the meds but also the impact of this disease on us, our families and friends (you soon find out who they are) and work. I wish you well. DD

stickywicket

Hello VLAK and a warm welcome from me too. Mine's Rheumatoid (RA) but the treatments are virtually the same apart from the psoriasis bit.

I agree completely with the Helplines and DD. However good the dermatologist, they are not the right person to be dealing with your arthritis and the sooner you get some proper medication the sooner you'll start to feel a bit better. A good GP is a great asset but, if you have one of the auto-immune versions of arthritis (and Psoriatic Arthritis is one) you need to be treated by a rheumatologist.

There are all sorts of gadgets on the market to help with everyday tasks. Some are very simple and cheap (but absolute lifesavers at times!). If you have a local disability shop they are usually very helpful but there are also lots of online ones too. And there are also lots of ideas on our 'Simple Ideas....' thread higher up this page. If nothing else, you'll realise, on reading it, that, what ever the problem, you are not alone.

Losing weight will help and so will staying positive. But we can't be positive all the time with this disease so, whenever you need to talk about the negative stuff, and feeling, just come here because we do understand.

phoenixoxo

Hi VLAK,

Welcome from me too! I'm 33 and I've had PsA for over twenty years. Just like dreamdaisy above, it took a long time to get my diagnosis as I've only ever had one psoriasis flare-up, when I was 5. And I've also got OA in a few joints.

It sounds like you're in a lot of pain right now, and I hope that you'll see a rheumatologist soon. Please let us know how you get on. And stickywicket's right: there are lots of gadgets out there, designed to make things easier.

Best wishes,
Phoebe

VLAK

Thank you so much for your messages, I couldn't see the GP yesterday, but I have signed up with our local pool which has a water aerobics class everyday. I hope to start today! I feel like I have found a new family in this forum, thanks to you all for the welcoming and reassuring messages.

I am on methotrexate 15mg and Folic Acid 5mg once a week for my psoriasis and I am told that it also treats arthritis, but it's still important to really find out what I have to work out the right treatment. My uric acid level was high so the dermatologist put me on Allopurinol 100mg once a day. For the pain I was given Dicloflenac.

Regards to you all.

Colin1

Hi V Glad you could join us, youll find a great gang here.
I have PA and RA one of the things i hate most is when the Psoriasis is bad and the PA at the same time its really hard to cope with. You have kids hey that must be hard to deal with at times especialy when your in the middle of a flair up. Well V take care and keep your chin up hope you get to see the Rheumy soon and i'm suprized your GP hadent already sent you.
Colin

hileena111

Hi Vlak
Welcome to the forum.....I am not much help as far as teatment is concerned....I have OA.
You should see your rheumatolagist......yes
Welcome again to the forum

Love
Hileena

stickywicket

Actually, meth with folic acid is one of the regular treatments for PsA (and RA, which I have) but you do still need to see a rheumatologist, VLAK, because they can deal with all aspects of the disease and keep it well monitored. Are you having regular blood checks? You should be while on the meth.

The water aerobics sounds fun and useful. Do let's know how you get on.