After suffering for several years it was only in Novembe...

hi. yes this is exactly the way mine went. i tried diffrent anti inflamatorys they gave me stomache upsets rashes etc etc and so on. i eventualy tried a low carb diet ! yep low carb i found some info on it from the states . and it has improved to a great degree. may be worth a try. !!!

[i:987a4f7bd0]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:987a4f7bd0]

I was disgnosed with this condition 10 years ago. I had had extremely bad Psoriasis , mainly on my legs for the previous 15 years or so. This just started for no apparent reason and at one time my legs were covered from knee to ankle with the typical red/scaly skin. I also had isolated spots on my back, hands, scalp and elbows. I found I was either allergic to (medication with coal tar ingredients) or immune to other forms of cream medication. Suddenly, in about 1992, the conditon on my legs disappeared and has not returned, although I still have isolated patches on parts of my body.

I have been prescribed various anti-inflammatory drugs, all of which caused me severe stomach pains and diarrhoea. Even with the Sulphasalazine tablets I only got as far as taking 2x4 a day before I had side effects. The painkillers I have been prescribed have been next to useless. I was told that there was nothing else that could be done and I would \"just have to go away and learn to live with it\" - so I have!!

I keep mobile as much as I can even though it is always painful to walk, but most times when I am active, it works like \"distraction theory\". It's only when I stop and then try to get moving again I find problems.

I have experienced the symptoms of some of the other contibutors to the site and it has been helpful to see a few more symptoms I have that have been identified as smptomatic of the disease. My fingernails are slightly pitted and a couple are becoming twisted. However, they don't break or split and in fact can grow to quite a length and are as hard as iron. (I was going to say \"as hard as nails\" - no pun intended). They do lift slightly away from the nail bed.

I seem to get the swelling, tenderness and the impression of fluid around a joint for up to 18 months at a time. Then it can move on somewhere else. I never know what can trigger off a flare up - I don't seem to be to pin it down to anything specific, even after all this time. I don't \"wrap myself in cotton wool\", but try to do most of the things I used to be capable of. I can trigger off a bad back just as easily by getting out of bed or a chair than by lifting or bending. One thing I do have problems with are stairs and slopes. Unfortunately, none of the so called \"professionals\" appear to have any real understanding how my condition can changed quite radically from day to day. They don't seem to understand that although I might be able to do something (with difficulty) one day, the next day I might be completely unable to do it. I don't know if anyone else has suffered from this type of situation.

Anyway, reading the other comments regarding this specific disease has made me understand that a few of the symptoms I have are actually connected to it and not just random complaints.

i have had psoriatic arthritis for 30 years and tried everything going with no change to my pain levels!! I have had replacement knuckles on my hands and now have stiff fingers. 12 months ago i was given the chance to try enbrel anti tnf treatment and the change is fantastic. I urge anyone to give it a go if poss.

Have any of you tried Methotrexate. I was diagnosed with PA after the swelling on my knee caused a DVT about 8 tears ago, my rheumotologist immediately placed me on methotrexate. I can honestly say it helps me not only with the swelling in my joints but with my skin also. I lead a normal physical everyday life with a young family and working full time. I have the occasional twinge, but I have fantastic support from the rheumotology team. The PA affects about 50% of my body, but most days I don't even feel it. I have taken different dosages oveer the years, and at the moment I take 30mg per week, and I wouldn't be without it.

I have had PA for about 8 years, diagnosed for about 6. I have been in quite intense pain over the years and am now on Methotrexate 25mg self injections per week, also I'm taking one diclofenac and one ranitidine per day (not sure of doses). I also work full time and have a young family and an active life. I do get flair ups still and they get me down from time to time. I am just starting acupuncture to see if that helps. I've only had 4 or 5 sessions but they give me a large degree of pain relief for a couple of days after each session (i.e. no flair ups). Apparently the more you have the more relief you get. Gotta be worth a try.

Has anyone tried any herbal medicine or other alternative healing on PA??

Also, what exercise seems to work for people??