PA fingers

Posted , 9 users are following.

I saw my rhuematologist yesterday and he was most put out that I still am reluctant to take any medication for the PA in my hands. I have researched the drugs and in my case the benefits of taking these powerful life changing drugs is not enough to outway the possible/probable side effects. My fingers started swelling about 4 years ago triggered in my opinion by the menopause and at this moment 3 of my fingers have been through the swelling/ joint damage process but now in these three fingers the swelling has burnt itself out. I am left with 3 slightly bent, slightly stiff fingers which I would say I have 90% normal use from. At this time I have 2 other fingers which are active and look like are going through the same process. So for me it's a case of suck it and see as I do not want to take the risk or have the worry of what methotrexate and other similar drugs are doing to my body. In my opinion NHS docs are too eager to give you drugs and get you out of their rooms than to properly sit down and weigh up the pros and cons. For anyone who is just starting out with PA in their fingers I would say try not to do anything repetitive like using a keyboard to type as I believe this is what has caused my fingers to bend. Good luck everyone x

1 like, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi Carole

    When i had Psoriatic Arthritis and my finger started to bend, i was sent to Physiotherapy and they made me a splint which they molded to the shape of my finger to keep it straight. I was told to put it on when resting and when i went to bed.

    It worked and today my finger is straight and i have no problems with it. They couldnt do this with my toes and have 2 bent toes, but thankfully the pain went after 9 months and i have been free of Psoriatic Arthritis for years! I hope your free of pain and inflammation soon. I hope this information will help you.

    • Posted

      Hi Carole

      I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis back in 2001, i had it for 9 months i was on NSAIDs for a number of months but they didnt take away the pain. My Rhuematologist put me on Sulphasalazine but after taking it only around a month the hospital phoned me to come off it straight away as it knocked out my white blood cells down to borderline, i was then put on strong antibiotics until my cell count was ok and was told even if i got a sore throat i was to go to A&E, it took only around a week for my white cells to get back to normal.

      I took nothing after coming off Sulphasalazine, my pain just went and i have not had that pain and inflammation since 2002. Im so very lucky, its so painful. Be positive if this happened to me surely it can happen to others. I still suffer with moderate Psoriasis and have done for 35 years i take no meds for this.  

       

  • Posted

    Hi Carole,

    well, I have been off the meds for just over a month now and wow!! the differences are as follows- don't feel unwell any more. No night cramps, blood pressure normal.My state of mind is restored, and I can actually do things again without being completly useless for the rest of the day, and I feel HAPPY for the first time this year. Yes, my fingers hurt, but hey, no change there! I have re-taken charge of my body, and it feels terrific. Everyone says I look and act completely differently, wouldn't go back on the meds if you paid me. 

    • Posted

      That's good to hear, I hope your bloods all return to normal soon too. Obviously everyone is different and some people would find life unbearable without the drugs but for me the benefits of not taking them far outweighed taking them. Good luck and I hope your condition settles down sooner rather than later x
  • Posted

    Everything is back to normal! Especially my head! I have been so unhappy when on the meds, I just love being me again!

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