Psoriatic Arthritis: How do you manage PA and flares?

@peach414144 You have said nothing wrong as far as I can tell. I was just trying to explain you may have been misundetstood and to not take it personally. I am of the mind set to just let it go. Be yourself and stay upbeat!

Welcome to Connect, @asf1234,

Thank you so much for sharing your insights. It's so true that getting the right healthcare provider, doctor, someone you can "call your own" is such a significant decision. And often, as so many Connect members have shared, we have to look for treatments beyond medication.

@asf1234, may I ask what other autoimmune issues you face?

i (80 year old woman) have the joint swelling of the knee and both feet and one finger. also have psoriatic arthritis and also rheumatoid arthritis. seems when the swelling and pain goes away after about three months i might get a month with no swelling and pain, then it starts all over again. i am not taking medication for this because i have stage 3 kidney disease. ohh! forgot, i take a weekly injection of 10 mgs of methotrexate and have been taking this for about seven years. it has helped with the rheumatoid arthritis. i have just been diagnosed with the psa in 2016. it is a horror. to me it is worse than toe rheumatoid arthritis. the existing medications seem to be harmful to body parts or create other problems. imagine the poor children that have these diseases and suffer with them. i do honor he doctors who devout their lives to their patients. (just want you to know that your suffering is acknowledged by the rest of us and wish to have it stopped.

i was not wanting anyone to move to another country. i was just using an example of health care in other countries. i myself cannot afford to move there as well. and i do feel for you for one reason i am going blind as well with glaucoma and macular degeneration. sorry if i upset you. good luck.

I do understand your issues of can't do this and can't do that because of something else. I have used a cane some since I was in high school after an operation on one knee at age 13. That is now my good leg. Nine years ago I tore my meniscus/tore medial and lateral ligaments and have to do daily physical therapy just to be able to walk. I have Type II Diabetes so have food/eating issues, but back in 2003 I suddenly became allergic to Aspirin and all other NSAIDs so cannot take over-the-counter pain/anti-inflammation meds. except for Tylenol which is only useful for mild pain. This allergy thing includes not being able to take or use any minty flavorings, ginger, grapes/raisins and certain artificial preservatives. So I used to take Tramadol daily, but never exceeding the prescription limits. But that leads to dehydration which contributes to constipation and dry mouth which is a problem for Diabetes. My leg issues are complicated by a history of broken ankle/complete break of same leg-shin bone. At age 72 there is dryness by aging. These various issues limit mobility which interfers with Diabetes and all of my arthritises. The Psoriatic Arth. often causes some depression as does Diabetes as does chronic pain as does not being able to do as much as I used to due to aging and all the various things listed above. Now I am more limited in hand grip and finger use even though my medications help. BTW - with my ability to get more involved with my own physical therapy I have been able to essentially eliminate the use of Tramadol and thus reduce frequency and severity of depression.

We each have to find our own paths to distractions and find more ways to increase our independence and reduction of pain. Forums like these, suggestions from members and also the Arthritis organization magazine, etc. all help - if nothing else they help by giving us new ideas or spark a creative twist that works for some of us. I now limit flying time to about 4 hrs. as it is torture to be in a little jail cell of a seat for a longer period of time. My wife and her adult kids have had to modify vacations accordingly. Our vacations after this year will have to be modified more. In part I look at life as - the price we pay in still living in to advancing age is the various medical and quality of life limitations. Beats the alternative.

I am 51 and just since May have had broken ankle, foot, and elbow that I had to go into emergency surgery. I will be having two knuckles replaced very soon, if they still can since one has dropped close to thumb. I also have to use cane, it was supposed to help me stop falling, doesn't seem to be working. I to have a lot of allergies including aspirin and Motrin. My new rhemotologist is sending me to an allergist to de-sentisize me from those so that I can take an anti-inflammatory.

you are correct. one thing opposes another. and distraction is the key word. i watch a huge amount of tv including many movies on tv (will not go to a movie house so as not to contract anything,) this is to get lost in the story and then to put myself into the character i put myself to be. sounds like to much, but it does me good. i am glad i was a swimmer. think it helped saved the ligaments and tendons. swimming is a safer exercise than most. just a few helpful hints from an old lady.

@djfd You are so young to have so much going on! Instead if a cane, have you tried a walker? I use one when I am really bad and my mom has one. They both have seats and make walking so much easier and safer. I am keeping you in my prayers.

Marylou8 here.  I'm an old lady too!

I have had PsA for many years. I think it started while I was in South America and I got strep throat. I've been bopping along since then with various biologicals and Tramadol. But in the last couple of months or so, I've been floored by widespread pain and exhaustion. My Rheumatologist is great and he is trying me on Humira as of last Wednesday. He gave me a short Rx for Norco, but I don't think I can take it. It sends me to sleep but then I'm awake with nightmares! Last night I dreamt I became a shoplifter!! I'm wondering if I am having a flare of PsA. It's being so joyful as keeps us going, in the Scottish idiom of my late Mother!