Hello! I am new here and have been struggling with PA for the past 5 years. I have had psoriasis for 15 years but more recently have the extreme arthritis symptoms. I was lucky, I suppose, that it had a late onset. My son, not so lucky, has had it since he was 22 years old. Mine started at 50. I would say that I'm in extreme pain. I've never been much of a whiner about pain but I really hurt.
I'm also a kind of the 'poster girl' for side effects. Give me any drug and I'll exhibit the worst side effects you can imagine. For this reason, I have tried to go the homeopathic route for whatever ails me.
Recently, a chemist told me to try Chondroitin/Glucosamine Complex (capsules) and Arnica Gel (a gel that is rubbed on the skin). I've been doing this for a week now and something strange has happened. After battling psoriasis for nearly 15 years, it has nearly disappeared! The arthritis pain is still extreme but the psoriasis has improved so much that I can't believe my eyes.
I'm going to continue with this therapy for awhile and hope that it will reduce the arthritis pain. So, far...not much better. Just having the psoriasis lessen is good enough for me at this point.
Has anyone else ever found a homeopathic method that helps PA? I'll will definitely keep you posted on this. Just wondering about any other experiences here.
I've had psoriasis all my life. On my knees as a kid. Everybody thought I fell and skinned my knees. Later I sometimes had it on my elbows. The past few years I've had it on my right hand and elbows. None of the prescription creams help.
I have had bad knees for about 10 years and recently had a right knee replacement. After 6 months my knee replacement is stiff and still a little swollen. I can walk without pain but my leg is still real numb. The Dr. said that the numbness will probably go away in another 6 months to a year but that I'm healed as much as I will be.
I don't take much of anything for pain except for suppliments for circulation and vein support. I recently read that PA not only causes arthritis in the bones but also affects the muscles and tendons. That is probably why my leg is still so stiff. I was faithfull with my physical therapy after the surgery 6 months ago. My knee hurts and I stiffin up if I sit too long.
I'm hoping someone can tell me what suppliments to take to releave the pain in the other knee. I don't want another knee replacement. And my hips are starting to hurt. I have really gone down hill the past 5 years and I'm picking up speed.
HOn I don't know about supplements but you may need to go to a drug combo of of mtx and enbrel to help with the knee. It does not mean you will have to take it all your life but it may help with the healing procees and help preven anymore damage. If you are not taking this supplement already try gloucosomine I know alot of people swear by it. You should ask your dr to send you to a rd just to have yourself checked out, because if you have pa, psoriatic arthritis and it goes untreated it will only cause further damage. Let us know how your are doing and welcome to the boards. I am going to have to try that combo that you mention, Varvara, and the gel my pa is under control but the psoriasis is driving me nuts!!!! Welcome to the boards alot of us with pa also post at the ra board too meme
ps I know I have seen a vitamin out there that is especially for people with psoriasis but i can't remember it's name of I do I will psot it here for you.
Just getting over a nasty eaction to Sulfasalazine! Anyone else out there get the "hot all over" and "headaches" and dizzy feelings? My rheummy doc trying to put me on MXT, but really don't want the side effects again!! Any suggestions???
Welcome Dizzy!!!! I was on mtx and enbrel for the pa but was switched to arava and enbrel, I was having too hard of a time with mtx. I am now off the drugs because of an infection, and haven't been back on them now for over 3months. The pa is down to a minimum right now but the psoriaisis is driving me nuts!!!
I take methotrexate and infliximab (remicade if you're in the US). I was scared of side effects at first but if you do decide to take mtx persevere, I felt a bit flu like for the first few weeks and sometimes still get a bit queasy when I take it but you only take it once a week, I take it in the evening when any nausea is least likely to cause me a problem. If you do take mtx make sure you get some folic acid (folate) as this also helps to minimise symptoms. I haven't had sulfalasine so can't make a comparison... If you are suffering I would recommend giving mtx a go!
KT
I have been told I need to take some strange sounding drugs too but to avoid that I want to try natural stuff first. The psoriasis is very mild but it is the stiffness and pain in the joints are not funny.