Psoriatic Arthritis

[Mandarella]

I have just been newly diagnosed with this autoimmune disorder.

According to my bone scan, it is in all of my joints except my elbows. I have such pain in my hands, feet and back and my shoulder blades tingle and sting.

Their recommendation as of right now is to start Enbrel injections once a week.

I am 29 have a 1 and a 2 year old, and would like to have another baby in a few years.

I hate to take ibuprofen when I need it. I am terrified to take Enbrel, a possible side effect is lymphoma. I don't want to trade one set of problems for another and I need to be around for my children. I was told the lymphoma risk is small, and that it would be safe for me to go off to try to have a baby when I am ready. I also fear possible birth defects. My other drug options are much worse, Enbrel would be the "safest" bet.

What I want to know is, does anyone here have this? If so, I would like to speak with you further on your treatments etc. You can email me privately if you like.

OR, does anyone take care of patients with this condition around my age? It is in my SI joints and they say it is possible that it will spread to my spine and fuse the vertebrae. If so, how fast is the progression if I decide to let this ride it's course. I would like to try a more natural way to try and help this first before I dive into meds...I have just stated to do yoga and eat a little healthier...wishful thinking...

Thanks for your input,

Mandy

[nursemary9, BSN, RN]

Hi

I don't have psoriasis or the psoritic arthritis. However, My Brother has had this for a number of years. He has the psoritic arthritis mostly in his knees & ankles and does suffer tremendously.

He has been on Methotrexate for years. He has tried several of the injections, but they have not really helped him so he is back on the methotrexate.

I am going to go to those web sites you all left & see what I can find.

He has been hospitalized several times & there have been t imes he's been so bad he couldn't walk.

I wish there was something that could help people with this awful disease.

Mary Ann

[Mandarella]

thanks everyone for you input! i decided to take the enbrel for 3 months and see if it makes a difference.

taking medications is a huge thing for me...like i said before, i hate to even take ibuprofen. but the benefits outweigh the risks at this point. and i was told i am at a point where i may be able to head off serious damage.

rn4ustat, i may just take you up on that offer. i would like to ask you some questions if you wouldn't mind. i will email you later on.

again, thanks everyone for the help!!:loveya:

[Turtle in scrubs]

Hi Mandarella - don't know if you are still surfing the boards or not. If you are I was just wondering if you could give us an update. I've been dx w/ psoriatic arthritis and grappling with whether or not to start on meds. I've read a bunch about it, but right now I'm just trying to see what different peoples exeperience is.

I hope things are going well for you. :nuke:

[jessi1106, BSN, RN]

Thanks so much for posting this. I know its now an older thread..but I too am hoping for an update.

My husband was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in his 20's. He is now 40.

Recently it has gotten MUCH worse. For awhile he was on prednisone (which helped greatly - but is not a long term fix). He now takes 2400mg Ibuprofin each day and is still in pain. His psoriasis is also getting worse.

We are afraid to try some of the more 'toxic' meds. His doc really is pushing for methotrexate. We may want another child and are afraid of possible birth defects (not to mention the other potential side effects).

I would love to hear how you or others are dealing with this condition.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

My mom broke out in a horrible rash about 10 years ago and wound up with this arthritis. She was pretty crippled for awhile until she found her wonder drug: Aleve! She got clearance from her doctor to take up to 8 a day, but luckily things have calmed down and she now takes only 1 or 2 a day PRN.

Best of luck to you!

Tait

Oops this is an old thread :roll

Ah well!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

try googling psoriatic+vitamin+D