Psoriatic Arthritis: How do you manage PA and flares?

Posted by lemdjm @lemdjm, Feb 27, 2017

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

@ethanmcconkey

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?

Jump to this post

It has been one one month.

REPLY
@peach414144

Excuse me I must clarify: (I HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS BOTH.)

Jump to this post

@peach414144 Goodmorning peach . I know you have a lot of problems I hope you have been able to get some relief from some of them I have osteoarthritis not what you have so sorry I cant address that. Hope you find some relief for this . Just wanted to say Hi have a good day . Keep positive that's what keeps us going . Bless you Linda

REPLY

Hi! I have been using Cosentyx since May 2017. I tried MANY medications such as Methotrexate (liver issue), Humira (Allergic reaction), Enbril, and IV once a month of Remicade for 9 month (didn't work). Finally, Cosentyx came on the market! It works for my Ankylosing Spondylitis! I felt the benefit right away. We the help of my rheumatologist, I have worked to stretch out the once a month injection to every 6-7 weeks. The pain is not completely gone but I am managing well with minimal NSADS, diet and essential oils. I hope the same for you too. Please let me know.
Blessings

REPLY
@wsh66

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.

Jump to this post

How can it be? Never knew psoriatic arthritis "goes away". Here I am. Send it to me and take it away please. I think they meant it was in remiss for a while until it comes back to attack you some more. It is not friendly. Good luck for now

REPLY
@lioness

@peach414144 Goodmorning peach . I know you have a lot of problems I hope you have been able to get some relief from some of them I have osteoarthritis not what you have so sorry I cant address that. Hope you find some relief for this . Just wanted to say Hi have a good day . Keep positive that's what keeps us going . Bless you Linda

Jump to this post

Dear Lionness, Thank you so very much for thinking of me. Peach

REPLY
@peach414144

How can it be? Never knew psoriatic arthritis "goes away". Here I am. Send it to me and take it away please. I think they meant it was in remiss for a while until it comes back to attack you some more. It is not friendly. Good luck for now

Jump to this post

I know, it's not supposed to go away but mine did. Several years of practicing Qigong

REPLY
@wsh66

I know, it's not supposed to go away but mine did. Several years of practicing Qigong

Jump to this post

I am going to google Qigong and see if a crippled82 year old can do this. Thank you peach

REPLY
@tspoon3

Hi! I have been using Cosentyx since May 2017. I tried MANY medications such as Methotrexate (liver issue), Humira (Allergic reaction), Enbril, and IV once a month of Remicade for 9 month (didn't work). Finally, Cosentyx came on the market! It works for my Ankylosing Spondylitis! I felt the benefit right away. We the help of my rheumatologist, I have worked to stretch out the once a month injection to every 6-7 weeks. The pain is not completely gone but I am managing well with minimal NSADS, diet and essential oils. I hope the same for you too. Please let me know.
Blessings

Jump to this post

I'm so glad it has worked for you. I'm hoping that it will work for me too.

REPLY

I just read an article in my Mayo Newsletter - Controlling Your Arthritis that I thought might be helpful for members in this discussion.

Diet and psoriatic arthritis: What's worth trying?
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/in-depth/diet-and-psoriatic-arthritis-what-is-worth-trying/art-20380752

REPLY

Hello Lemdjm I am Peach, I have Psoriatic arthiitis (with some psoriasis). Also have rheumatoid arthritis and hypothiroidism (slow thryroid) which makes three autoimmune diseases. Have been told I have four but do not remember what it is. The fingernails on my right hand are so bad I need to wear gloves for fear of the nails catching on to something and being ripped off. My life was pretty good until I hit age eighty. Never had a bad time with the swelling and the pain, pain, pain until now. Nothing helps even the opioids so I do not take them. I decided i wanted to live so I suffered, and suffered over and again even wanting to kill myself. But who would take care of my cat and dog? Which is why Ia am still here. At this point in time it (the RA and PSA seem to be fairly silent) and am enjoying life without the horrible pain, just middle of the road pain. The one good thing about the pain is that it keeps the appetite down hence keeping a low weight which does help I think. Also which might help is THE VERY VERY IMPORTANCE OF A LOW SALT DIET. This at least for me does help the swelling and the pain. Ahhh there is so much more but that is enough for now. Hang in there so the dog can give you a kiss and the cat will purrrrrr. Peach

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.