Newly diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis - coping OK

Posted Wed 6 Sep 2017 12.34 by Greencat88
Hi, I'm in my early 40's and just recently diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis after having psoriasis for the past 4.5 years.

Hi, I’m new on here and received my diagnosis two weeks ago after having psoriasis (fairly mild now after having light treatment 4 years ago) and developing increasingly achy joints over the past 4 years. I've had knee pain for a couple of years now, but noticed this spreading to my lower back, finger joints, feet and now my hips over the past 9 months. I'm in my early 40's and initially I found it quite hard hearing that I was suffering with a chronic disease, however after doing lots of research online and speaking with my GP, Rheumatologist and Specialist Nurse, I feel as though I am coming to terms with it - I suppose at least I know now what I'm dealing with... So I'm working on adjusting my diet - partly to lose weight as I have definitely been carrying a few extra pounds and was probably enjoying a few too many glasses of wine! I hope that this will ease the pressure on my joints and I'm trying to follow a more anti-inflammatory style diet with less dairy, red meat and bread and have also cut out the alcohol. In the last 2 weeks I have lost a coupe of lbs already!! Hooray!! (early days yet – we’ll see if I can keep it up…) Next I plan to work on exercise - I detest going to the gym, always have, but enjoy walking and swimming so this is where I'll start. I would like to get back into Yoga too - but we'll have to wait and see on that one as struggle with some of the poses due to my knee and hip pain. Yesterday I took my first dose of Methotrexate... I was quite scared after reading everything online, but also felt reassured that the drug has been around for a while, and also that I'll be monitored regularly. I felt a bit "funny" before going to sleep, drowsy and a little light headed (psychosomatic??) but today I feel alright, which is a relief! For now anyway, as I suspect that side effects may start to kick in after a couple of doses, rather than just one... I'd be really interested to hear about how others got on in the first few weeks on this drug - any side effects and if so, how did you deal with them? Thanks :)

Posted Wed 13 Sep 2017 11.09 by Jonny_Shakes

Hi Greencat88. I'm hoping you can help me... I've had psoriasis since my early teens (I'm now 32) and have suffered with joint pain for several years. I recently had pitting in my nails and I noticed an air bubble had formed underneath my thumb nail. After researching it I found out that psoriasis can affect the nails and I then learnt about psoriatic arthritis - all of my symptoms were connected to psoriatic arthritis. After speaking to my GP, I was referred to a specialist at the hospital and also had blood tests, an x-ray and a scan, I was told I didn't have arthritis (psoriatic arthritis wasn't mentioned) as there were no signs of inflammation or swelling. I then went to physio for several months and have tried deep tissue / sports massage but neither had any affect. I currently get pain and stiffness in my feet, left knee, left elbow, fingers, thumbs, neck, ribcage, lower back, central spine and upper spine, with psoriasis on or near most of those areas too. When diagnosed, did you have any inflammation or swelling? I have made another appointment to see the doctor and more blood tests are booked, but I'm certain they'll reach the same outcome as before. I obviously don't want to have psoriatic arthritis but I believe I do have it and if there are medical treatments that can help then I want to be diagnosed next time I see the doctor. Thank you for reading!

Posted Wed 25 Oct 2017 21.45 by jeff

has anyone had sinus problems that has psoriatic arthritis like excessive mucus eye problems.

Posted Thu 26 Oct 2017 13.10 by thin-skinned
Irascible septuagenarian fed up with the psoriasis constantly at me :wink:

Ask your GP or skin specialist if they are willing to prescribe Otezla. It is very good and after several weeks you could notice some relief on several fronts. It even started work on the tendonitis to my hands. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/29780/

Posted Tue 21 Nov 2017 13.26 by Bright side
Hi. My name is Carol. I suffer with PSA. And P. I'm hoping to find friends on this site who also have the same.

I have been on methotrexate for 3 years now. My psoriasis cleared compleatly after the first 3 months. Amazing. Then I had to stop taking methotrexate because I had a few unrelated infections. Low immune system I suspect. My psoriasis came right back with a vengeance. I'm now back on methotrexate and hope it will disappear again? I'm waiting.

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