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Psoriatic Arthritis

Posted , 3 users are following.

Kym
Kym

Hi, After reading all the experiences, I am vey lucky. Last year 2007, my hands and feet started to swell, completley out of the blue, my doctor was a bit puzzled, who is excellent, until I told her I used to suffer from dermatitis,until a couple of years ago, which just stopped. She then made the connection that I have now got PA. Ater tests and seeing the rheumatologist this was confirmed. The doctor gave me diclofenec for the swelling, which reduced the swelling and everything was fine, until I saw the rheumatologist again, who insisted I needed methotrexate to slow the PA down. After 5 months of methotrexate and feeling 10 times worse I stopped taking them, then I was fine again with diclofenac for a few months, until I went back to the rheumatologist, who insists I have something to slow the PA down, this time I tried sulphasalazine, after taking the first tablet, my hand was swollen, after 2 both hands, by the time I got to 4 tablets a day, both hands, toes on 1 foot and my legs were like lead, I don't think they agreed with me, so I stopped taking them. It seems the tablets I'm having, tend to make matters worse. Has anyone had the same problem? I have still got a couple more tablets to try, I have mentioned pencillamine, but that was no no. Do I carry on trying these tablets or plod on with the diclofenac? I am very fortunate the only problem I have is slight swelling and aches in hand and thumb. Please let me have your views. Many Thanks.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • smoneva
    smoneva

    Posted

    Hi,

    I read your text, sulpha made me burn so my rhuemy took me of it, however because i get pai and swelling in ankles and knees with p a he gave me a kenlog steriod injection in the arm as a one off as I was worried of the effect steriods have on your body. This was Thursday last wk it hasnt helped the swelling but I feel less pain at moment, I will wait ansd see. If you can just take your naisds that would be better than the disease modifiying drugs, after all I took the nsaids only for ten yrs. It seems now that things are progressing for me. Its a minefield not every one can tolerate them. However if slight swelling is the only problem id quit the sulph. take it easy x smoneva :D

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    SSZ and MTX are DMARD drugs which are slow acting from what I understand taking 3 - 6 months to start working effectively. I would stick with these for a few months and I have read up and cannot find any info on these actually causing the swelling of your joints... very unlikely I think although different people will react in different ways. Your Rheumo will monitor your progress on the DMARDS and they really do need time to start acting. So try to continue for several months. Biggest concerns for these group of drugs is liver and bone marrow toxicity which is monitored via regular blood testing..
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    hi.i am 20 and i have been on methotrexate for 2 years and it did not work so they gave me a steroid injection which helped for a little while but then got worse again so the doctor reduced my methotrexate to 6 a week and then put on sulfasalzine which i am on four a day with 8 co-codomal for the pain and diclofenic for the swelling. since i started the sulfasalzine i have felt tired and sick all the time along with severe head aches. so i am hoping this will work as if i dosen't they said if it didn't i would have to go on injections where i would have to inject myself. so in your case i don't know what you should do but speak yo your doctor as there is always something else you could try, i know that it is annoying going to the hospital and the doctors as am always in and out of theiir.
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