Recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and struggling

I’ve tried jogging and love the cardiovascular workout and endorphin rush, but my knees nixed that crazy endeavor, as did my Arthritis. So I returned to what I do best: I walk with orthofeet Arthritis comfortable shoes. These shoes are comfortable! My feet may need a specialist, but I am happy with this purchase. I wear these to walk the dogs, exercise, or anytime nights and weekends. They look great and feel even better.

I have had the pleasure of Psoriasis for 62 years and the related Arthritis for the last 5. The onset of the arthritis in me was very rapid and debilitating. Most of my body seized and it took around 3 months of treatment to get me back on my feet. You don't recover from this ailment but the drugs can control it. The difficulty i now have is controlling the drug side effects, Methotrexate being the main culprit. Im told most people have few problems with Methotrexate, Im just unlucky. Hopefully your sensitivity to the drug will be better than mine. Good luck.

@Richardlan: Methotrexate was one of the 3 medications I had to try before Humira. All three had huge side-effects 1. Gave me insessant dry coughs at a few per minute 2. Made me feel extremely tired all the time. I almist had a fatal car accident coming frol work 3. Made me emotional and depressed. I had almist constantly tears in my eyes. And then came Humira. Note; it's a poison, but my quality of life is 1000x better.

Live in Canada, but from a Dublin Ireland. Diagnosed in July, Psoriatic Rheumatoid Arthritis Methotrexate STARTED 4 weeks ago. Pain, bewilderment , exhaustion it’s horrific, but worst part is that people, including husband have no idea what I’m going through. They say ‘it’s Arthritis, lots of people have it etc “ you will feel better soon”. This ‘version ‘ of Arthritis is the worst of all. I’ve had Psoriasis since I was 16, I coped with this. But this lifetime disease is devastating. Irishcolleen61

Hi.. I was diagnosed with psa after 2 years of nobody (GPS and rheumatologist).. Believe me. Very scary and upsetting. This was to be my future. I have a massive respect for anyone in same situation.. And it looks like we are all in the same boat. (unfortunately). This is only my second post as joined yesterday. I was told by accident by a health professional I had signs of arthritis mutilans. Very rare and I'm convinced he was genuine. I had very strange appointments with GPS.. Rheumatologist and mental health. I know it sounds unreal. But is so complex I'm not sure whether to share this. I'm now 45 and had the disease 15+ years. I think we don't want sympathy but understanding

I feel your pain. I was diagnosed three years ago. I tried sulfasazalaline with minimum effect. I can't take methotrexate as I'm allergic to it. Top it all off I have fibromyalgia as well. All I can take it paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine. Not a great combo and doesn't really help. I have found pilates and swimming really helpful

Hello to everyone, This is my first time on this site, I have been reading these forums and it is the first time I can relate to others in what I am currently going through. I am struggling and would appreciate any advice possible. Apologies for the long message but to give you some background. After major emergency surgery about two years ago, a few months after I noticed I could not get out of a chair, my hips and legs were not working correctly, I was told it was just recovery, after months of this, and pain In my hand, fingers and feet I finally went to doctors who told me it was likely arthritis, probably triggered due to trauma my body had been through. I was devastated. I was only 44 at the time. After referrals finally saw a specialist, who said it was PSA as I had family history and recently had some small patches, on my arms, legs and ears.. they tried several tablets, including steroids (was on for nearly a year) sufasalazine (did not work), hydrocloxchorine (had reaction) they then Put me on metotrexate 12.5mg this after a few months started to work, I got one week of reduced pain and was so excited only to get a call from the doctor taking me off it as it was affecting my liver results. Again got depressed as back to square one, they then said I was suitable for biological, I was not sure but didn’t have much choice, was due to start at end of March (my birthday, and lockdown) so they chose with my consent to hold off due to unknowns about Covid. So again was without any medication for about six months (apart from naproxen) until the pain got so much worse, and the arthritis spread to other joints which I could not ignore. So I was allowed to go back onto metotrexate to keep it under control but knowing it will end again after a few months. I am now at that point, sadly it seems to be too late, I now have issues with my, jaw, neck and spine so struggle to walk, dress myself and climb even a few steps. So back to the start again after two years of hell, I want to know if anyone has been on the biological injections? Also been told that new option could be JAK inhibitors, I prefer the sound of these as taken as tablets so I have more control over it. Not sure if only me but with Covid 19 am so scared of the situation of having a lowered immune system. I live alone and am struggling and worried I won’t be able to take care of myself soon as my symptoms get worse. This have affected my personal life and work life, and for anyone with this I am truly sorry as it is debilitating. It would be good to get any advice from others on how you are coping. Thanks for your time reading my story of PSA.

To all of those taking currently pills or think that physical exercise does any good: you can get rid of 99% of psoriasis and especially the arthritis. To start off you have to realise you can't cure arthritic psoriasis, because it's genetic. It's in your DNA, and there is a good chance you'll give it to your children. I started having the signs of psoriasis when I was 18, now more than 40 years ago. A few years later the arthritis started to bother me. Over the years I had scores of baulms and pills, including all of those mentioned in this discussion. ALL of the pills had significant side effects (sleepy, dry coughing, tiredness, extreme emotional periods,...). Ten years ago I became aware of a new product: Humira (Adalimumab) of AbbVie (previously Abbott). You have to know that I live in Belgium, which is fortunate because Humira is expensive but was a lot more expensive when there was still a monopoly. Humira is sold jn pens (self injection) or syringes. In the beginning two pens (1 month dose) did cost 1100€, where I paid 11€. We pay a lot of taxes and social security, so I got something back for once. Now the cost is around 850€ for a pack of 6 (3 months), and I still pay around 11€. Note that in Belgium you get this reduction only for arthritic psoriasis, not just psoriasis. This latter is done in e.g. the Netherlands. It can also only be prescribed by a rheumathlogist. As soon as I started injecting Humira I noticed a difference with 95% of my psoriasis gone after 3 months with a further improvement over the next months. My arthritic problems are now also much reduced to a level that I can stil function professionaly. Hope this explanation helps.