Psoriatic Arthritis

January 24, 2006

Hi,

I'm brand new to the group. A friend of mine where I work finds this site very

helpful and she thought I could benefit as well. I was diagnosed in 2000 with

Psoriatic Arthritis, I began taking Enbrel in November of that same year with

amazing results. I am now 38 and the Enbrel is still working for the arthritic

conditions but my psoriasis is out of control and the dermatologist is of little

help. I've tried all of the topical treatments, corticosteroids, Dovonex,

Tazorac,

Elocon, etc...I'm getting ready to try phototherapy for the first time. I've

tried the

local tanning places but they weren't strong enough to produce any significant

results so we'll see if phototherapy works. Does anyone have any other

ideas? Natural remedies, food combinations, anything? The dermatologist

wants me to consider going on soriatane but the side affects seem drastic so I

want to hold out for that as a last resort. thank you....

October 7, 2008

I have to buy the fat pencils and pens because the RA kills my hands. They hurt

sometimes just lifting up silverware. So I went and got some of those pencil

grips at a dollar store and started using them on my silverware. I also have

invested into a newer set with thicker handles that I got at walmart for $20.

Not only do I like it my kids do as well. I was all the time dropping things

from pencils to brooms, heck I once dropped my glass in the middle of eating I

was embarrassed. But the grips from pencils helped me at first with my hand

dexterity issues and maybe it will help her as well in order to hold on them

instead of accidently doing what I do and end up launching them across a room

for some reason.

Just last week at work was holding onto a fork and launched on about 2 feet from

me while lifting it to feed myself.

Re: [ ] Inflammatory arthritis with chronic urticaria

I have psoriatic took them almost a year to diagnos it. No blood worked

showed until about six months after i had the flare of which was the start of

it. My crp test was high. have they done this? have you lost weight?

I lost 30 pounds after about three months of the first show of the

psoriasis, couldn't eat, couldn't walk etc.

Jolene

In a message dated 9/30/2008 9:49:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

tainabell@... writes:

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member. I have had inflammatory (not rheumatoid, I tested

negative for the rheumatoid factor) arthritis and chronic urticaria

for almost two years now. I also tested negative for ANA, ruling out

a lot of other things like lupus, etc. My x-rays show erosive changes

in my hands so my doctor has me on methotrexate now.

I'm on a dose of 12.5 mg of mtx and 200 mg daily of plaquenil (for

six months now) and am seeing NO results for either the

swelling/joint pain or the hives. I'm sort of at a loss.

Here are my questions. Do a lot of people not see any results from

these meds? Also, how atypical is it that my doctors haven't

specifically categorized my arthritis yet? Shouldn't I at least have

a diagnosis? Also, I just ordered The New Arthritis Breakthrough

about antibiotic treatments. Is anyone on this board doing this with

any success?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jen

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October 7, 2008

May I suggest tennis balls for broom handles, vacuums etc....,childrens

toothbrushes - the fat ones ..and plastic dinnerware (much lighter and bounces

when dropped) I switched all door knobs to handles. Habitat for Humanity

usually has inexpensive recycled handles... You will adapt as you fight this

disease. Good luck..

Raniolo

From: Massey <renandstimpy3@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Psoriatic Arthritis

Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 3:02 PM