Newbie; recent psoriatic arthritis diagnosis

Polly68

Hello,

I've just recently been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and enthesitis. I had a kenalog steroid injection to tide me over and am meeting the rheumatology consultant for the first time on Monday. I'm not sure really what it all means or any useful questions I should ask whilst there, so any experience would be really appreciated. Some of the online information is pretty daunting.

Thanks so much,

Polly

chrisb

Hi @Polly68  

Welcome to the versus arthritis forum. 

You are recently diagnosed and have an appointment with a consultant shorty. You’d like to hear from any forum members who can offer any advice on the types of question to ask. 

Well you’ve certainly come to the right place to ask for input as there are numerous members of the community who have been through a similar journey. 

Whilst you await some feedback, you may find these articles useful:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/

 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/newly-diagnosed/?_ga=2.142510898.1628961555.1692277212-975178968.1599145417

 

There are numerous discussions on the forum which are worth browsing to and perhaps joining in with. 

I hope joining the forum proves a beneficial experience for you and good luck with your upcoming meeting. 

Best Wishes

ChrisB (Moderator)

jamieA

Hi @Polly68

I was diagnosed with PsA in late 2020 and enthesitis was confirmed in early 2022. I was initially prescribed sulfasalazine and naproxen - which didn't work. Methotrexate was added 4 months later - which also didn't work. I was then put onto the adalimumab biosimilar Amgevita as well about 9 months after diagnosis. The combination has worked.

The first thing I'd say to you is to not be a passenger in your treatment. I realised that I needed to be more forthright in my dealings with my GP and rheumatologist after about 6-7 months as neither seemed particularly concerned. It seems the quicker you get the correct treatment the less long term damage there should be.

I hope you get the treatment you need quickly.

Blakey83PsA

Good evening, i was first diagnosed with PsA in 2017 and started taking Methotrexate immediately and then introduced sulfasalazine which worked wonders but the nausea was excessive so i had to stop. I cannot take Naproxen because of a previous stomach ulcer 😔. I was on prednisone for over a year to help with my pain, but it was affecting my mental health because of the physical changes that were happening and after a while were not as effective. I have been on 5-6 biological treatments that i had to stop for one reason or another and am currently on 300mg Secukinumab, 25mg Methotrexate and have started sulfasalazine again because this biological is not helping with my pain but doing amazing for my skin. I also have enthesitis in my feet and Achilles so take Pregabalin and co-codamol every 4 hours for pain relief. I am now in the middle of a major flare up and am struggling with the pain. I have been told that by friends that changing my diet may help, does anyone have any positive stories about dietary changes? Also has anyone used a Multi strain Biotic to support a healthy gut Microbiome, i have read that it helps with the skin but i wondered if it helps with the joints?

Many thanks

noddingtonpete

Hello @Blakey83PsA and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you have psoriatic arthritis and I would recommend having a look through the links above. You are also wondering about the links with diet, Have a look through the following which I hope might be of help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-diet-and-arthritis/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

With best wishes

Peter (moderator)

Blakey83PsA

Good evening, i was first diagnosed with PsA in 2017 and started taking Methotrexate immediately and then introduced sulfasalazine which worked wonders but the nausea was excessive so i had to stop. I cannot take Naproxen because of a previous stomach ulcer 😔. I was on prednisone for over a year to help with my pain, but it was affecting my mental health because of the physical changes that were happening and after a while were not as effective. I have been on 5-6 biological treatments that i had to stop for one reason or another and am currently on 300mg Secukinumab, 25mg Methotrexate and have started sulfasalazine again because this biological is not helping with my pain but doing amazing for my skin. I also have enthesitis in my feet and Achilles so take Pregabalin and co-codamol every 4 hours for pain relief. I am now in the middle of a major flare up and am struggling with the pain. I have been told that by friends that changing my diet may help, does anyone have any positive stories about dietary changes? Also has anyone used a Multi strain Biotic to support a healthy gut Microbiome, i have read that it helps with the skin but i wondered if it helps with the joints?

Many thanks