PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
Posted , 4 users are following.
I have suffered Psoriatic Arthritis now since 1984, it started with a small piece of crust on my hair edge on my brow. I was eventually diagnosed with the associated arthritis a few years later and it took about four years to get a diagnosis, I had to go private to prove my problem and I have been through all the treatments including DMARD. I cannot take DMARDS OR TNT medications as my immune system has been shot by the immune system been overractive.
Now at sixty six I take Tramadol for pain Celebrex for Arthritis and Amertryptalene for nerve damage.
How many of us has problems with DMARD and TNF medications, I wonder if this problem in quite normal or am I unusual.
I also suffer Reactive Depression because of my condition and I take Citalopram.
How many of us have followed the same pathway as on top of the above I have developed a further problem with my short term memory caused by mediation, they thought it was Dementia at first, after tests for over six weeks they gave me the all clear for dementia
Am I alon with all this hassel
BOB
0 likes, 12 replies
stephen54311 borderriever
Posted
No my friend it's not just you I have psioratic arthritis,type two diabetes and depresion it's seems like someone up there just wants to cause as much crap for me as possible but what can you do you keep going no matter what you become a fighter like we all do good luck with yours steve.b
borderriever stephen54311
Posted
It just seems to go on and on, I was told a long while ago that the problem would evntually go away at around the age of 50 I am sixty six next week and my hands are a real mess. I had my first tendon split ten days ago and it is healing well, although I may not scar the skin will be effected by the arthritis effect. I forget the name for it now
It is a real problem my medicins are not only for pain also for dpression, my immune system is overactive and shot.
Look after yourself
BOB
sheila65847 borderriever
Posted
Hiya Bob and Stephen,
indeed, this is a dreadful punishing condition. Fortunately my skin has been clear for 12 months but the arthritis side is complete and utter torture. Like you, Bob, DMARDS and anti TNF has so far been unsuccessful. I was diagnosed in 2011, Palmar plantar Pustulosis started 15 years earlier, I was in my early 30's, I think. Arthritis started in 2008 but it took 3 years before PsA was diagnose . My experience with DMARDS - allergic to Sulphasalazine and Methotrexate induced Hepatitis - not fun! Experience so far on biological therapies - Enbrel caused massive very severe outbreak of PPP. Humira ineffective and it appears Stelara also ineffective. So I shall see what my rheumatologist suggests later this month. I've had other interventions too, but don't want to bore you with each and every one.
Just wanted to say hi and you're not alone. Pain in my hands and wrists is about 9/10 at present and there's not a lot one can do at present. I too take Mirtazipine for depression, Oxycodone for pain. Depression is part of our condition not an additional side effect (hope that makes sense). I read a very interesting article about PsA published in one of their medical journals. Most of it was above my head but it clearly said it was a real valid issue not an additional part. Best wishes to you both.
borderriever sheila65847
Posted
They keep me informed of what is new etc. It is a shame the mdications they give are so potent, they frighten me
Okapis borderriever
Posted
For me it was a no brainer - the new drugs and better quality of life despite the low risks. The hospital and GP will both react very fast if your blood tests go awry - so its very important to have the blood tests on a very regular basis..
Okapis borderriever
Posted
Bob Stephen and Sheila...my heart goes out to you...but i'm lucky Im without the skin disease (so far) but yes diagnosis is difficult - a cumulative set of negatives but where pain can be acute one minute and reduced the next. A will of the wisp disease that comes and goes... went through many DMARDS and now on my second Biological therapy CIMZIA as despite having a normal CRP my jaw / TMJ was inflamed on both sides. Not nice - pain eating and talking sore neck...you get the picture.
I cant take NSAIDS or any codeine type painkiller but when I had to stop the enbrel / etanercept after 12 years, I was prescribed butrans patches 5mg. Cant drink alcohol but boy they are giving me the best pain relief I've ever had. I'm now through the 3 months intial period of CIMZIA and was thinking as I strode along a footpath in wonderful UK weather with my dog that its working very well...Absolute relief.
The rate new biological drugs are coming out there will be one that suits you somewhere along the line providing your rheumotologist is willing to keep trying.
And ask about pain patches.. I take Butrans . Butec here in the UK.
I hope matters improve for you all!
borderriever Okapis
Posted
They will not prescribe TNF if you cannot take DMARD in my County. In fact the Specialist has a throw a way attitude to PSA here if you are unable to take DMARD. So I stick to my COX 2 NSID and pain medications.
I have generally stopped using the creams as they were thinning the skin, Yes I still shed like a snow storm sometime although my skin does clear for a time. At the moment my skin is in flare, in the Summer my hands are bad as my fingers are a problem, they will clear eventually
BOB
Okapis borderriever
Posted
Thats terrible! You must be attending a small hospital. TNF's are ideal for people who cant tolerate the DMARDS. In fact its normal to work your way through several DMARDS - the effect wears off or your liver gets compromised by methotrexate in particular. In fact the failure of two tradtional DMARDs is a necessary criteria for being prescribed a TNF!
Ask your GP to refer you to a nearby teaching hospital with a large Rhuematology department. A second opinion is permitted in the NHS.
There will be no nonesense like that from such an academic department.
I'm absolutely horrified....the PsA will progress and oh dear.
If you would like "official reinforcement" look up Arthritis UK and NICE who publish the guidlelines for prescription of TNF's both for the skin disease and arthritis....
borderriever Okapis
Posted
I will check the Arthritis site and Nice, thank you Okapis
I have just had my first trigger finger done two weeks ago and it is doing well, but stiff
All the best
BOB
Okapis borderriever
Posted
Tricky being on the border! But a referral to a teaching hospital or a very big general hospital would I think be the answer for you. I suffered from small general hospitals - just dont have the depth and breadth of medical expertise for something like PsA...So after checking out the "official" advice off to GP for a second opinion? ... Come to think of it. check out the GP Notebook for advice on PsA for personal confidence!
Still cross for you!
I now live in an area where the GP practice straddles three counties. The GPs have fun buying services from from three different areas.. Grrh! Means I go off to all 4 points of the compass!
borderriever Okapis
Posted
I will bend their ears next week
BOB
Okapis borderriever
Posted