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Hi all, im completely new to this and any forums, i've just reached a stage where i feel speaking with other people with psoriatic arthrits would be of great help.  Im a 27 year old female, diagnosed 3yrs ago (hard to believe its that long).  It started off mainly affecting finger only but not affecting function, started off on Salazoprin for 2.5 yrs, as still actively progressing changed to Methotrexate which i've found is better but still very much reliant on anti-inflammatries every day. 

 
At the moment it is mainly my fingers affected and they tend to be very obviously swollen.  but can affect ankles, knees, wrists.  This is really my main reason for coming onto the forum.  Im wondering if there are many others my age with the condition.  I still struggle to accept it and keep thinking, surely the Consultants have got it wrong, it must be something else?  I work in a hospital and work very closely with physios who im sure notice my limp at times, my swollen fingers, my extremely weak grip strength.  To be honest im very embarrased by it at times.  Getting my patients to open jars for me because i cant etc.
 
The psoriasis tends to mostly affect my nails, which have progressivly worsened, and look very noticeably not normal, also very embarrasing.
 
But day to day it is fairly manageable, i try to keep positive and feel speaking to others may help.  Has anyone else found that the attitude consultants have is " thats fairly normal for the condition, get on with it"! which i find very annoying!!
 
I would love to hear from anyone, thanks for listening,
Frances :)
I also have psoriatic arthritis. I'm 33 and have found very little relief from my symptoms.  I'm on Methotrexate and will be starting Enbrel soon. I feel like my doctor doesn't understand my illness as well as he does other forms of arthritis. I guess it should be expected since it isn't as common. Most people hang out on the rhuematoid forum because there is more discussion. It sometimes takes awhile to get a response on here. I would love to talk about anything, just ask! Its always nice to meet someone with my issues! ;-)I am also a PsA client - I am however older - in my early 50's. I was diagnosed over 20 years ago so through all the years of my sons being young and active.  You need to find a rheumatologist you can trust, one who knows her stuff and is willing to teach you what you need to know. I lucked out being sent to an excellent physician 20 some years ago, who just happend to specialize in Psoriatic arthritis (before I was even diagnosed). She is so good for me, and first and formost listens, examines determines how many joints are currently involved and works to bring that number down to "0". Each flare up that is the ultimate goal. Shop around and find one you can work with, this isnt going to go away.

Hi Frances and welcome to the forum.  I also have PsA and was diagnosed 4 years ago but I also have RA and OA so many times my symptoms overlap.  Has you doctor talked with about starting Enbrel injections?  It's really helped many people with PsA.  If no, Google Enbrel and find out all you can about it and take that information to your rheumatologist and let her know you're interested.  There are meds that can help tremendously and they should be tried.  There's no reason to continue in pain and with skin plaques if there are meds that can help.  Keep posting and let us know how you do.  Take care.  Lindy

Thanks all for your replies, helps to know there are others out there.  I haven't heard of Enbrel before this forum so i'll def Google it.  I've just found it frustrating when i go to my Rheumatologist i often dont get to see the consultant himself but often his reg/junior doc.  Being in the health service myself i know a bit of shouting gets u places so i demanded to see my consultant and did ask him to explain things better so i'll see how i get on the next time i go!  My latest concern is thinking slightly ahead when want to start a family, and obviously have to come off Methotrexate a while before that, dont fancy extra pain etc, anyone else had this problem and how did you manage pain etc??
Cheers everyone :)
[QUOTE=Frances]helps to know there are others out there. [/QUOTE]
 

I'm new to the forum, I found this resource last Wednesday.

It was suggested to me by my GP last Tuesday October 6, 2009 that I probably had PsA.  I'm 56 and for the past 21 yrs have been living with and being treated for plaque psoriasis.  My father and his mother both had it.  My 21 yr old niece has been recently diagnosed with the condition.  During the past year or so I've been troubled with joint pain and associated swelling.  My treatment over the past few years has included just about everything I've read on these threads.  I have been on ENBREL but due to the expense and my health insurance provider deciding what was better for me than my Dermatologist; they've placed themselves in the precarious position of being the "prescriber" rather than the "provider".

Tuesday I woke up and finally figured I'd been run over by a train sometime during the past few months and someone failed to bring it to my attention.  My GP prescribed a six-day dose of MethyIPREDNISolone and I noticed immediate relief the following day from the joint discomfort and reduced swelling in my ankles and knees.  I'm waiting on an appointment with the Rheumatologist which he referred me.

It's comforting knowing I'm in such fine company with similar difficulties.

Well 26 here and I can agree that its always unfortunate that relief comes in waves. As long as your doctor is willing to play with dosages and try more aggressive methods to help relieve the pain eventually you will find longer terms of relief. After all, without full pain relief the chances of remission are pretty slim.

The big three treatments are Embrel, Humaria and Remicade. Many of the people here are on one or the other accompanied by MTX or other meds.



Many people in here have switched between these medicines and one thing I've noticed is that some things work better for others, theres no miracle medicine unfortunately. Some even have some funky side effects or risks associated with them but that is the case for most medicines.    I know for myself, the infusions serve up 95% body wide releif within three to four days time. It's almost as if I get an entirely new life but the effects last for 3-4 weeks before the swelling and pain start returning and inevitably excruciating pain returns. The life it gives me in between however, I could not put a price tag on, not at my age.

Another huge limiting factor to these meds is a rediculous price tag. If I wasn't a full time student with no insurance (Centicor pays for ALL of my medicine because of this) I would be paying upwards 6 to 7 thousand dollars every 6 weeks! Assistance programs for these treatments exist but should be discussed with your doctor if you decide to ask for a more aggressive approach.

In any case, good luck to you!
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