Hello Glad i found this forum.as a newbie this post may be longer than most..I have graves disease,graves eye disease,degenerative disc disease,arthritis prosriasis,psoratic arthritis,high bp,high cholesterol just to name a few. I see about 5 or 6 different types of drs regularly.. I have had psoriasis for over 15 yrs it is everywhere. Graves disease is an auto immune disease. I currently take synthroid. Now on th my question. already had both big toenails removed due ro psoriasis in them. Now both thumbs are affected. feels like i have bamboo shoots under my nails. when i saw dermatologist in nov 2006 he gave me a script for cream.Of course aetna said no. No problem as there was no way to get cream under nails. he said he would give me rthe name of a plastic surgeon just to call him.well i left 3 messages & he never called back. so i scheduled myself an appt @ rheumatologist i go in about 3 wks.. I have suspressed immune system so dermatologist said i can only try the new injectables in february as a last resort.I have has spinal fusion surgery(cervical) and the lumber spine has 3 disc that are split open. Both of my nuerologist have retired. so i now see a pain management dr for percoset as i cannot even get up & down on my own most days.I also need to mention i have emphysemea & copd.I realoy need to be able to use my thumbs has anyone else had a problem with fingernail involvement???? because of the graves disease drs dont allow me preendisone either..do you think a rheumotoligist will be able to help me. btw i am 42 yrs old
thanks Denise
I can't tell you much on this the rd will need all of your case history and will probably do a slew of tests before he or she can even think of anything they can give you. Alot of the meds that arthritis patients are on can cause damge to the liver so we go for frequent blood work to make sure there is no damage to the liver. With your immune system even more comprimised then what some of us have they may not let you take enbrel, humira, mtx, etc. This is the decision your drs will have to make. Just make sure to take a history of what you have , a list of your meds and if there are any recent xrays request them also and take those to the rd to look at. Another idea is to make a list of questions to take with you that you would like to ask the rd that way you don't forget anything. Welcome to the board!!! We also go the the ra board on this site too. You would be more then welcomed there too. memedenise
Hi Denise,
I'm sorry things are so tough for you - I can only really echo that your Rheum Dr should be able to sort out something that will attack the Psoriasis as well as the PA, I don't have nail involvement but my psoriasis has virtually disappeared since being on MTX and infliximab! I admire your positive outlook - welcome to the board!
KT
thanks glad i founnd the board.seems to be alot of support here..
denise