HI,
I have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis based on x-ray findings. I have been sick for about 9 years, and no-body could diagnose what I had. All they would say is that my autoimmune tests all came back weird, but they were elevated in differenct sectors of testing, and therefore couldn't discern what I had. I have been hurting in teh joints for years, and alsos had psoriasis, eye probelms, and my feet would burn, turn red, and skin would come off in chunks. I also had a problem with cold hands/feet, and blue digits. I have now been diagnosed with RA/psoriatic arthritis based on x-ray findings of bone erosions of the hands and wrist, spine and knees.
The rheumatologist keeps trying me on oral medications, and not working, from what I can tell, based on information I have found onthe internet- just the fact that I am in my mid 40's with bone erosions and hurting- can't bend fingers that I should be aggressively be treated with enbrel or humira. What treatment are some of you guys receiving? I also have eye involved with a narrowed cup in the left optic nerve. Just wondering if i should find another doc.
Good afternoon. I have been diagnosed for over year. I think it is fairly common to start on the pills (planquenil, sulfa, Methotrexate) first. I have not been started on biologics (injections or infusions) but that will be the next step. Sorry, I can't be of much help. I am sure someone will come along with more information.
Lainie,
Hi and welcome. I am a fellow PA, and have psoriasis. YOur dx sounds just like me. I had one Rhuemy tell me to come back when I was REALLY sick, and didn't look any further than RA.
You have to start of treatment somewhere. You cannot start all at once on all of the treatments, and once you get further into this you will understand why. PA is a little harder to treat and a little harder to put into any sort of remission. You have to be prepared for the long haul on this. I am so sorry you have damage, and it is a shame that more people (Rhuemy's) will not venture away from standard dx. My levels are still all over. It is very frustrating, but hang in there. PM me or just ask the board anything, we are here to help and encourage.
Take care,
I also have a narrow cup on both eyes and just found out I have diabetic cateracts, so I feel your pain completely.Lainie,I don't know anything about PA, but earlier this week, I was on the board for the National Psoriasis Foundation (found myself there after a google search for Enbrel). They have a pretty active PA forum where you might get some more info on the drugs--I've seen Enbrel mentioned a lot: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=20. Good luck!
Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear of this newest development. Is there treatment for the diabetic cataracts? I'll be thinking of you and wishing for the best.
Christina
Hi Lainie and welcome. You have had symptoms for 9 years, that's 9 years of damage. If PA showed on xrays then you need to be on dmards/biologics. I went thru 3 rheumatologist until I found one who was aggressive. Because of my 8 years of damage, positive labs and xrays he jumped right to Remicade and 20 mg. MXT. It's taken almost a year but pain and inflammation are almost gone. My labs are basically normal. I have pain from those years of damage but I can live with that. If this RD is unwilling to treat you with DMARDS/BIOS I'd be changing RDs. PA is much more difficult to treat. Response to meds really vary but you need to keep searching and trying. Remicade has been approved to treat PA and I think Humira also. PM me if you want to chat. Research on the internet and gather as much info as you can. LindyBioglogics are not rxed immediatley. The insurance companies demand and require that you try other methods first. After 6 months, the insurance companies will consider the biolgoics. Your doctor has to submit the info and then they either approve or disapprove the biologic. The biolgics run anywhere from ,000-,000 a year so you can understand why it is not prescribed first. Biologics were approved immediately, within 36 hours by my insurance company for Remicade. My RD faxed my history and current medical status requesting a stat decision to the insurance company. I made a follow-up call the next day to authorization and it had been received. Maybe I was lucky, but it also helps if your RD and staff know exactly what's required by your insurance company. LindyChristina, I am still trying to get to the bottom of the whole "why do I have diabetic cateracts?" I will talk to a GP tomorrow on base, but my fasting blood glucose was 94, and I got a meter today, because I am going to try to find a pattern, and my highest reading was 138. My glucose level never went under the original 94....hmmmm. A mystery.
Lainie, I had to be on MTX for three months and show no real progress before the insurance company would approve Humira. I had to be on Humira for two months now to show that it is not working and we need to step it up a notch. I am working through the process to get everything approved for Remicade. I have been at this since January. YOurs might be different because it sounds like you have more damage, but insurance companies drive the when...which STINKS, because I may have been able to try Remicade first and may have enjoyed some of my first painless days in ten years. Don't wait!
As far as the eyes go, I have plugs in my upper and lower tear ducts to produce minimal tears. I also have the hallowing out of the cup and now the cataracts. Get a good doctor that knows what to do with PA and eyes. My eye doctor is probably my most pro-active doctor. We have also talked about this Pre-diabetes thing. Many people with PA lose their eyesight, so don't wait until there is MORE TIME. Ask a lot of questions of your eye professional. Ask me any questions too. I am here for ya girl!
I took my B/S first thing this am and it was 104 before I did anything, but drink water.