New psoriatic arthritis diagnosis

Hi @Troy81

Firstly I'd like to echo what @Ellen and @frogmorton have said - getting your diagnosis by letter and booklet is absolutely appalling. Have you not been scheduled to see a rheumatologist face to face?

I know everyone is different and will react differently to drugs so I think it's difficult to give any assurances or consider what happens to one individual as the norm.

In my case I was a healthy 64 year old, physically active and my psoriasis had been in decline for the previous 15 years. I took a number of chest infections from March 2020 onwards and then joint problems in September 2020. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis on October 30th 2020. Initially I was put on sulfasalazine and then 3 months later, when I showed signs of worsening symptoms, put on methotrexate. Five months after that in July 2021 when things had further deteriorated I was put on the adalimumab biosimilar Amgevita. That has worked and I'm in a far better place than I was in early 2021. It's not been pain and symptom free this last year but it is much, much better than it was in first 9 months of 2021. The medics have still kept me on sulfasalazine and MTX as they said the drugs work in conjuction.

In May 2021 I was admitted to hospital with Atrial Fibrillation and tachycardia - I've never had heart issues in my life before. Since then I've read numerous medical papers and articles linking MTX, amitriptyline and NSAIDS to heart issues - I was on all 3 of these drugs at the time. But other members here are using these drugs without suffering side effects. I've also read other papers that link having any immune-mediated inflammatory disease to a higher incidence of heart issues irrespective of drugs. I'm now off NSAIDS and amytriptyline and my MTX was reduced by half to 10mgs and I've not had any heart issues since October 2021 when the MTX was reduced.

I saw a pain consultant by video link in September 2021 and she prescribed capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches for my joints and I've used them since. I was really concerned at the number and strength of painkillers I was taking at that time - up to 12 a day. I think I've only needed to take any painkillers a couple of times in the last 6 months and I put that down to the Amgevita, capsaicin and the lidocaine patches.

One thing I've learned since being diagnosed with a chronic disease is that I need to be more assertive with my requests from the medical fraternity - don't be passive. The other suggestion I'd make is to keep a daily diary of symptoms, treatments and medical interactions - I've found that invaluable as it's easy to forget things and not all the medics I've come across have read my files.

Hope you get sorted onto the correct treatment for you soon.

I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about 8 years ago after being fobbed off by dr. A different gp sent me to rheumatology. Immediate diagnosis and put on methotrexate i have never had a problem with it apart from the initial queasiness while my body got used to it . I also have leaking aortic valve inder regular review and osteoarthritis. Just had 2nd hip replacement.

My advice is to push for face to face appointments and for answers. Take note of other peoples experience but recognise yours though there might be similarities will not be tje same. Drug treatments affect people differently For me it was trial and error until the right balance was found but that might well change . I find the fatigue when I have overdone it the most difficult to deal with after a lifetime of being physically very fit and active. Staying positive is a big big factor in quality of life.

Push push push for information from your doctor and hospital You are entitled to proper advice and appointments with rheumatologists.