posted 09-13-2002 04:03 AM            

My dad has psoriatic arthritis. His arthritic symptoms stopped after 4 years of gold injections; during that time his other wrist had to be operated though.

Now he still has psoriasis as he lives in Lapland where there's hardly any sunlight during the winter and summers are usually quite short. He used to take holidays in Southern Europe to help his skin problems.

I think I have psoriatic arthritis too although i was diagnosed with RA as I didn't have any skin symptoms back then. later on however i've clearly had psoriasis in my elbows but have been able to take care of it with lotion. we'll see. as for my arthritis i haven't yet found a med that would work. MTX helped for a while but couldn't hold back a new attack. i'm still looking for a solution myself too.

Maybe gold injections might be worth trying, if you can't take any oral medication for the arthritis? i tried gold but it didn't help me (although i guess you should take it for a longer time, i only did for 1,5 years)

Wishing you all the best,

posted 02-23-2003 09:10 PM            

That weekend it started. I quite literally woke up with it. I had patches on my knees and elbows, and I had it all over the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet (and ankles).

I suffered with it on and off for years as my mother hauled me off to various derms, who usually prescribed coal tar preps for the druggist to mix up. I bagged and wrapped in saran wrap every night (all this while I'm in first, second, third and fourth grades).

I had periods where it got worse, got better, got asymptomatic, then reappeared. The worse episode I ever had, my entire body was covered (including genital region) except my face. It lasted 2 years. My doctors couldn't accurately diagnose me because I showed some symptoms not in line with just psori. I went on various forms of chemotherapy, I also did PUVA light treatments (which were very cutting edge at the time). I had to wear special protective glasses every day. My treatments were 3 times a week, PUVA measured in jules... felt like a giant stand up tanning capsule to me but they insisted this was different (probably because insurance paid them for it).

I went to Mass General, saw so many specialists, had biopsies (which I still have scars from).

The last straw was the methotrexate. I couldn't stand the liver biopsies required so I decided to go it alone.

The past few decades have been a mix of periods where it comes and goes, mostly the hands, feet, elbows and knees. Sometimes patches on my legs or arms. But for the most part it's better.

I also have arthritis. I don't know if they are related, because some doctors said it was psoriatic, others said no.

I belonged (for many years) to a national psoriasis foundation that helped sufferers of the skin disease and arthritis to connect, read more news about it, hear updates about treatments etc. I got my monthly newsletters and they kept me focused and feeling less alone.

So here's another poster to say ---- you're not alone.

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Life isn't what happens to you -- it's how you react to it!

posted 02-23-2003 09:21 PM            

I know it's easier said than done, but getting a handle on stress, finding some type of release including vigorous exercise as well as calming meditation or yoga, are helpful. I kind of suck at that part, -- the part where I know I should stay on top of all this stuff, because I am a very reactionary person, highly emotional, very empathetic towards hurts either in my own life or those of others. None of these traits fare well when one is trying to be cool, calm and collected.

But,...it does work.

Also, dead sea salt (not regular ocean salt).

I tried everything including the whole colloidal oatmeal stuff, the epsom salt baths, you name it. Lived on cortisone for a long time (still paying the price).

But dead sea salts.... if you can actually GO there, all the better. People have gone into full and total remission from spending time there. The waters are truly healing.

If you cannot go there, then try the dead sea salts. They are incredibly expensive for people like us who would use higher quantities than most, but it makes a difference. It helped me a lot.

Note, too, that many people with psoriasis and arthritis also have other symptoms such as asthma (which is related to immune system and inflammation). We tend to have a higher incident of cardiovascular/pulmonary issues. A good number of us also tend to be treated for depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks. We also tend to suffer from allergies as well.

These are made by observation and the years of trying to deal with my own (list of) issues.

Diet is a factor. Anything causing inflammation may be a trigger and these include all citrus fruits, nightshades, and SUGAR! Sugar is a huge trigger. Chocolate, dairy, aspartame, caffeine (many stimulants) -- in my own life, if I drank espresso or stronger coffee, it was much worse than say, a cup of dunkin donuts coffee.

posted 02-24-2003 05:01 AM            

During my 20s I began to notice and associate the food link, and that's when I noticed dairy and stimulants caused reactions.

Then I'd clear up. A few rough times in my 30's.

But the middle of my 30's began my pain, and now at 40 is when I'm medicated, stiff, my knees, right ankle, hands, hips, etc. are afflicted. Mostly my hips. I also have spinal issues, but as I said I don't know they seem to come and go or what's related.

Since there's no cure, since the two are linked but I'm not sure how, perhaps there are links to when either the psoriasis is flaring up or the arthritis is flaring up that the other gets worse.

Usually psoriatic arthritis is more related to rheumatoid arthritis (I thought?) -- I may be wrong, not a doctor. But the "connection" is inflammation in both cases, high stress, and I believe hormones at work (that is my own unprofessional personal theory though).

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Life isn't what happens to you -- it's how you react to it!

posted 02-24-2003 01:54 PM            

If he doesn't know, I'll go to a rumatologist.