Diagnostiqué avec une arthrite psoriasique hier.

Santé de la peau, des ongles et des cheveux
1

Hi,

After 3-4 years, and a fight to get an appointment with Rheumatology, finally I have a diagnosis. Part pleased, part feel relieved, part feels overwhlemed and part feels particularly low, physically, but also the prospect of the future. 

I have been given a prescription for Sulfasalzine. I am more in favour of holistic, but agreed to take the script, have some thinking time and make a decision before my next appountment with the nurse in a couple of weeks.

I am not happy of it's side affects, can anyone shed any further light? I appreciate it may affect people in different ways. Ideally I would rather not take. But since this diagnosis, it is almost like my mind and body said 'you can let go now and just 'be' it is real,' which has in turn shown me how much discomfort and pain I am actually in. In alot of circumstances I try and be positive and use mind over matter.

Also, will this medication help with the actually psoriasis on scalp, feet, nails?

Cheers!

2

Hi don't no much bout the meds but hope goes well for you

3

Hi...yes diagnosis can be tricky. Its essentially a diagnosis through eliminating everything else and does need a Rheumotologist with expereince. Little confused though that you've fought for a diagnosis and then are a bit iffy about the drugs?

Best practice for PA is early treatment..well after 3/4 years of trying to see a rheumotologist...not early! But treatment with relatively aggressive drugs is the best way of acheiving a good quality of life outcome.

How old are you? And which joints are affected currently? PA is a chronic and progressive disease for many, altho that said it can lurk in minor form for many years in some people as in my case. It then took off with a vengeance.

Let me assure you that alternative medicine does not touch this disease. I have experienced many who tried this route on the late and lamented Psoriasis Help Organisation (PHO) discussion forum who bitterly regretted the time lost (and money) in pursuing treatment not backed up by verfiied scientific evidence.

What it comes down to is a trade off between Quality of Life and fear of / and sometimes experience of side effects. DMARDS (Disease Modifying Anti Rhuematic Drugs? think thats right) can take the body some time to get used to.

In the case of Methotrexate the dose is normally started low and raised bit by bit over time until it is clear progression of PA is halted. Sulfasalazine is often combined with methotrexate. Sulfasalazine will probaly turn your pee orange! The body is a remarkable organism and copes extremely well over time so persevere. Regular blood tests will make sure your body stays on the straight and narrow but with infammation rates dropping 

Your positive attitude is great, and yes coming to terms with the diagnosis can be tricky. A matter of head round the PA rather than the other way round. I still remember the moment when I came through the "fog"  of diagnosis.

It has to be said though that we are all very different in the way we react to the drugs and many of us have undertaken a long journey trying with the rheumotologist to find the most effective drugs. I thought of myself as my own personal guinea pig.. I have moved through many drugs to biological therapy and am now on my 2nd biological Cimzia as etanercept (Enbrel) did stop inflammation of the jaw.

Looking back I'm glad that I pursued the guinea pig path. There were "bumps" buut I'm more active with a better quality of  life than I would otherwise have. Swollen finger joints appeared when I was 29 and I'm now 67.

I'm sure the fog will clear for you

4

Oh dear just read the above back. Apologies for the spelling mistakes! A spell checker would come in handy forum adminstrators or am I  failing to recognise it.

Have a look at the excellent information on PA on the Arthritis Reseach UK site and keep using this forum. It really helps to discuss with others and read about other peoples experiences. There's also a Facebook page but its not moderated and can get a bit zany. 

5

Bonjour

Je suis sous Sulfasalazine et MTX, malheureusement, ces deux médicaments n'auront aucun effet sur votre psoriasis.

La Sulfasalazine est un DMARD (médicament anti-rhumatismal modificateur de la maladie) utilisé pour essayer de supprimer l'inflammation dans les articulations. Comme tous les DMARD, ils ont des effets secondaires qui affectent les personnes différemment. Vous devez avoir des analyses de sang régulières en raison des effets secondaires possibles sur les organes internes, mais j'espère que la douleur deviendra plus facile pour vous. Mes meilleurs vœux, Rob

6

I'm 46 and got a fast response diagnosed with in a 3 months and got first appointment with rhymatolgy in a months time

7

Hi Robert!

Yes was advised to have blood tests each month to check liver function.

The Sulfalazine sounds quite harsh on the body, was told can get nausea,bowl.probs /pain (manageable?) etc. This is what I am apprehensive about aswell..

Thanks for your reply, & reassurance,

Sending positivity 😊

8

Wow! That's amazing as in time terms Andrew!

I think possibly in my circs, the bloods kept coming back negative, partic for RA, & despite physical complaints, x-rays & mri weren't showing much. But feeling thankful I finally got there 😊

Thanks for replying 👍

9

Bonjour

Vous ressentirez les bienfaits du Sulfasalazine et, espérons-le, vous ne subirez aucun effet secondaire. Vous devez également vous faire vacciner contre la grippe et la pneumonie lorsque cela est disponible, car cela réduit votre système immunitaire 

10

Zany as in crazy 😵?! Lol

No probs, am replying backwards, so am coming up to your post now, ty Okapis!😁

11

Hey Okapis,

I will try my best to answer,

The fight was cause I knew something was not feeling right in my body. The medication didn't really come into it for me. I felt I was not being heard & living with progressing stiffness,pain,discomfort,moving through my body daily, I owed it to self to find out & curiosity & concern other factors.

I am 45, have had spine & neck difficulties over 10yrs. Then both feet initially, progressing to ankles, hands,fingers,wrists, r.hip, elbows, & occ knees. With variable other symptoms. Oh the joy! Lol.. I laugh cause I have to not knocking the disease & its seriousness, just how I cope.

Thanks re-alternative, I have read eg;acupuncture &reflexology can cause flares, not fancying that! 😒

Thanks re-advice on DMARDS, yes I was told at least 3 months for the body to work with & see any change.

I will certainly look at any info you have offered, need to arm self with as much as. So much to take in!

Many thankyou's for sharing with me & your reply.

Yes I try to be positive, I practise meditation & go to Buddhist teachings. its not for all but it works for me.

You sound pretty upbeat yourself 😁

No doubt I will be keeping you all updated & pestering you & all for advice 😉 lol..

Sending positivity 🌼

12

Worked backwards in replies Andrew, but thanks 👌

13

Hiya,

Will I be offered flu & pneumonia or will I have to ask?

Thanks, I wouldn't have known. Maybe I'll check it out with the nurse in a couple of weeks 👌

14

Bonjour, je ne sais pas où vous êtes dans le monde, mais au Royaume-Uni, cela est proposé, mais je vous conseille de vérifier avec votre médecin local quand même.

15

I am UK, thanks ! 😊

16

Here too, Sulfasalazine + MTX + Plaquinel has not worked...I suppose I'll be moving up the med ladder to biologics next. I really, really really am frightened to do that. If anyone has a happy story to share regarding biologics, please send one my way :-/

17

My experience w/ S.zine was pretty benign. No side effects, but I will say that it did create a loser bowel. Which was a bonus because I have difficulty w/ chronic constipation. But again, it was no problem....

 

18

I take rosehip (pharmaceutical grade with high doses of active ingredient) and pro-biotics, in addition to the drugs.  I've been through steroids, sulphasalazine and methotrexate (now on injections - wish I'd never bothered with the tablets) and am due to start Otezla which is a brand new drug - you probably have to trial 2 DMARDS before you're eligible to go on the new drug.

19

Hey Shellypeot!

What makes you feel so very frightened?

Sorry I cannot give you a happy story, & I don't know enough yet regarding any of this.

Hopefully others can comfort you.

Thanks though for your input, its most appreciated 😊

As you know, I'm just diagnosed, I had to see the G.P today, & he was most surprised!(not my reg G.P, but was baffled)

Meanwhile, I'm still nonwiser what to do regarding meds.

T.C, sending positive thoughts 🌠

20

Hiya Lucynewas,

Can you elaborate on benefits of Rosehip, taken alongside the drug(s)?

Why had you never bothered with drugs & happy with injection?

Oooh! Brand new sounds promising 😉 Hoping all goes well for you!

Sending well wish 🌠