Recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis

Hi Nicole, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis a few weeks ago too and was sent to the Rheumatologist last week,she doesn't think I have that just because I have no psoriasis as of yet but she said I have an inflammatpry arthritis and ortheoarthritis and some fybromyelgia. I started plaquenil and a folic acid this week and am starting Methotrexate also but have to go for a pneumonia vaccination and more bloodwork first, when you take MTX your immune system takes a hit so that is why she wnats me to get immunized. Also the bloodwork is for a bunch of things but hepatitis is 1 thing she is checking for because if it is lying dormant in me the MTX can bring it out which I DO NOT WANT. Can you private message me here, I wanted tot ell you something ;-)

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Ah poor you i was diagnosed at 35 im now 55 gone through all sorts of meds but non helped me and i could do nothing no work normal daily activities so then the biologicals came on the market and gave me a new lease of life! You are lucky in that there are many new biologicals that can really help it is a debilitating illnesse but with the right meds and good rheumatoligist you can lead a normal life good luck!!

Hi Nicole,  I have been treated for psoriatic arthritis since I was 26. I started on sulphasalzine and was on this for many years with no ill effect except yellow urine! And the odd mouth ulcer. My condition worsened after the birth of my son so started taking biologics. I would think the sulphasalzine will be the best option if you're not suffering with many symptoms.  It's very good you've been diagnosed quickly as it took several years for my diagnosis and this was detrimental to my joint damage.  Good luck. 

Hi Nicole,

Welcome to the club! Don't panic!

I have been on Sulfazalzine for just over 12 months! (i'm 52)

My life is sooo good now! I only have two spots of psoriasis but a whole load of Arthritic symptoms. Trust in your Rhumatologist and the medication! Last year was a real dark place for me ( i couldn't even squeeze the toothpaste onto the toothbrush it was so painful, walking 500 yards was a killer too) , not knowing if i could carry on working or be placed on disability. 

Sulfazalazine takes around 12 weeks to start working. I am still improving day by day! 

Yesterday i ran 6.2miles and i'm soon to cycle 100 miles in 6hrs! 

Its a scary place to be, but stay strong mentally, involve others around you for support, and life can be normal!

Stay active, even through the pain. X

Hi Nicole, I was diagnosed with PsA after suffering for 3 years in pain. It started shortly after I broke my toe! Methotrexate was nasty for me and so were all the other drugs they tried. I am now on an injection monthly - this helps the body from attacking the tissues. I read a lot on the subject - I had psoriasis from the age of 14, I'm 53 now. Apparently you only have to have a history of psoriasis in the family to get PsA, even if you yourself did not have it in the past. It will be trial and error with the drugs, it helps enormously if you can keep a diary of your symptoms and reactions to pain relief etc. Your blood test would have shown inflammation, this is what prompted the GP to refer me to a Specialist. If you don't take the medications things will get worse or you could also look into seeing a Naturopath who believe a lot of this is down to gut health/eating foods that cause inflammation. xx

Hi - your symptoms sound similar to mine and I am presumed to have psoriatic arthritis, though am also in the process of being tested for ankylosing spondylitis. Do you have back problems?

I don't have any obvious skin psoriasis, just some mild nail pitting, but there is a family history. Apparently nail pitting is a greater indication for developing psoriatic arthritis than just skin psoriasis alone, and there is a strong genetic influence. So yes, your diagnosis makes sense. There is no link between severity of skin disease and severity of joint disease in psoriasis.

This is probably no consolation to you right now, but you have been diagnosed and treated quickly - which is really important. It was 18 months after symptom onset before I had any treatment. I wasn't treated aggressively enough either and deteriorated rapidly. Another 18 months later and I still don't have a firm diagnosis.

I've been taking sulfasalazine for about six months and I can't say I've noticed a huge improvement, but that doesn't mean you won't. It's good for the small joint problems but if you have back problems, it might not help that so much. 

My main side effects from the sulfasalazine were indigestion, nausea and earache. But I also felt generally unwell for several weeks. Blood tests (which you should be having regularly) reassured me that it was nothing serious and it did pass. You need to look out for rashes and mouth ulcers and any signs of infection. Most allergic reaction happen in the first month or so. I developed a rash after 8 weeks but it went after 24 hours. 

You've probably been asked to take one pill in week one, two in week two... etc. I have to admit it took me a few attempts to get up to the full dose - the side effects ramped up when I went up to four a day and had to drop back to three a couple of times. But I got there in the end and am now mostly free of side effects (I still get mild indigestion if I drink alcohol, so I largely don't). So I don't see anything wrong with taking it at your own pace - it's better than giving up and stopping completely because of the side effects.

Sorry you've had to find this forum but I hope it's helpful.

* Indigestion is a common side effect but, if you take the enteric-coated version, you need to be careful not to take indigestion remedies within two hours of the sulfasalazine.

Hi Nicole 😀

First of all your not alone, feel free to direct message me “anytime “ at all and I mean it!!! I’ve been where you are just now and remember it was not a fun time, but medicine has evolved and you should get on a drug which will hopefully get you back to your self!!! I’m 47 had psoriasis for 40 years and psoriatic arthritis for 20 years I was diagnosed straight after my sons birth. My rheumatologist said it was most likely speeded up by pregnancy hormones. My partner and I split when my son was 2 years old mainly due to him thinking I was “at it” and a hypochondriac! No matter how ill I was my whole purpose/energy was given to being a very good Mum making sure my son was cared for in every way. I simply had no energy/time left by end of the night for relationship. The pain fatigue and insomnia was overwhelming at times. I was on many occasions offered Methotrexate and it was suggested it was a miracle drug but after reading the  enclosed side effects leaflets I said no! How wrong I was!!! I’ve now been on it for 2 years,(1 injection a week) with good effect. It’s no miracle cure but few times I’ve had to come of it due to increased liver function results I’ve realised how effective it is! Take as much help of your hubby parents family friends as you can and rest, this is not giving in nor being a bad mum it’s just plain common sense! You MUST take proper care of yourself if your to be any good for others please remember this. It’s pure bad luck we have this nothing else! Keep exercising and moving and go to regular GP visits as well as rheumatology appointments. Phslysio May help too, I find swimming is essential to my jointcare. If something doesn’t feel right get it checked out ASAP I kept complaining of my left shoulder pain it took many months before I was sent for a MRI scan which showed I have got a rotator cuff tear and am awaiting surgery.  Limit heavy lifting, and repetitive things if it hurts but definitely try what’s offered on a trial by error basis. What works for some doesn’t work for all so keep at GP for new things. I have no sickness on Methotrexate at all and wish I had taken it many years ago. I wish you the very best but please don’t panic or allow yourself to get depressed there’s always ways around things and you will learn wee tricks on how to deal with everyday things to make life easier. Take the painkillers, don’t be in pain. Xxx Diana

I got Psa at 20 ,I went from bodybuilding to bed bound in 2 days,unable to barley walk for 3 months

I am now 50 ,Its been a roller coaster ride ,ups and downs .

My attacks are every 12 to 18  months and last 2 to 3 months.

Spine ankles toes wrists thumbs

The spine kills me ,unable to move even breathing is painfull

I have tried all the meds and found the side effects to much to bare

so I manage on voltaran  up to 300 mg a day and Prednizone

Not good but l  have managed like this for 20 years now

I am well off and have a great family ,water ski ,snow ski ,motor x bikes ect

I don't stop ,when I do tho depression and anxiety eat me alive

My advice ,find what meds work for you, manage your pain

Live life to the fullest ,don't let it take over .

All the best ,you are not alone ,life goes on

cheers Ross