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Psoriatic Arthritis: How do you manage PA and flares?
I am a 74 year old female who has had psoriasis for over 40 years. The psoriasis was present on my scalp and ears in flares from time to time. I never experienced joint swelling and joint pain until recently. About one month ago I experienced an abrupt onset of severe joint swelling in my hands wrists, feet, and neck with severe pain. At first I suspected that it might have been related to my oncology medication, Arimedex that I began taking approximately 4 months before my sudden joint problems began. Testing ruled out Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. My oncologist did not think that the joint issues could be related to the Arimedex, however, he recommended that I suspend taking the cancer medication for 4 weeks while I was given oral Prednisone for 23 days (referred to as Pulse and taper). I am on day 22 of the Prednisone and the joint swelling and pain is no longer present. My oncologist wants me to resume the Arimedex, however, I am afraid that the severe joint pain will return. I am hopeful that additional diagnostic testing will determine the underlying cause of my joint swelling. If anyone reading this has had similar problems or any information related to my situation I would be interested in your comments. Thank you.
lemdjm
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Hello @pamelathree, welcome to Connect. Have you thought about going to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville? They would have specialists for treating psoriasis of the toe. If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, contact one of the appointment offices. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.
Mayo Clinic does have some information on diagnosis and treatment that may be helpful:
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354081
I'm tagging our moderator @ethanmcconkey to see if we should move your post to the following discussion so it will have more visibility and you can meet other members discussing similar symptoms and learn what they are doing for treatments.
> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Psoriatic Arthritis
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/psoriatic-arthritis-257d5c/
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1 ReactionI will be moving to the Jacksonville area and need to find a specialist to treat psoriasis of the toe. Anyone else have this?
Hi @pamelathree you may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion about psoriatic arthritis as @johnbishop suggested. I did this so that you can meet other members with this condition who may be able to offer you support. Simply click VIEW & REPLY in your email notification to see your post.
As we wait for others to join in on the conversation, are you comfortable telling us more about you? How long ago were you diagnosed? How are your symptoms? How are you currently being treated?
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1 ReactionHello @cpwg, Welcome to Connect. There is another discussion for psoriatic arthritis where your post will receive more visibility and you can meet other members with discussing treatments and sharing what helps them. I'm tagging our moderator @ethanmcconkey to see if we should move your post to the following discussion.
> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Psoriatic Arthritis
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/psoriatic-arthritis-257d5c/
It sounds like you have not noticed any improvement yet. May I ask how long you have been on Cosentyx?
I did find some user reviews on Drugs.com that may be helpful -- User Reviews for Cosentyx to treat Psoriatic Arthritis: https://www.drugs.com/comments/secukinumab/cosentyx-for-psoriatic-arthritis.html
My rheumatologist has prescribed Cosentyx for my Psoriatic arthritis, wondering if any of you use Cosentyx and how long before you noticed any improvement.
Hi @cpwg you may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion about psoriatic arthritis as @johnbishop suggested. I did this so that you can meet other members with this condition who may be able to offer you support. Simply click VIEW & REPLY in your email notification to see your post.
I wanted to introduce you to @pamelathree @wsh66 and @peach414144 as they have experience with psoriatic arthritis or with cosentyx and may be able to share their experience.
@cpwg, have you started taking cosentyx or are you still waiting for the prescription to be filled?
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1 ReactionI am still waiting to find out how other people have fared with any of the medications for psoriatic arthritis. I will not undergo this because I am 82 and have rheumatoid arthritis and a many other health diagnosis. Do not think my body will withstand much more invasions. But the pains are now horrific and I will not take opioids. They mess up my mind but do not take away the pains. Starting to give up.
Excuse me I must clarify: (I HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS BOTH.)
I took Methotrexate injections for years. They didn't help all that much and I ended up the very rare sarcoma. After several years of practicing Qigong I was told I no longer had psoriatic arthritis. I don't know how you would feel about more surgery but I have a pain pump inserted in my abdomen with a catheter running up my spine which gives me tiny doses of Narcotics. There are no side effects because it does not go through my digestive system, it is leak directly into my spinal fluid. It's too small a quantity, 3 mg every 24 hours, to make me dopey and other than having to have the surgery I don't really see a downside. Today is my 68th birthday and I'm on my way to Minneapolis to have fresh medication inserted into my pain pump by way of a needle which takes about 5 minutes and is completely painless. I hope you find an answer, love and blessings.
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1 ReactionIt has only been one month. Just wondering what other people have experienced.