Causes?

[Guest guest]

Hi acadianav,

I acknowledge your denial, but don't stay there too long. If medical

science knew with 100% certainty what " causes " PA, I suspect we would

be much further along in developing a cure. There may be a definitive

cause, but I don't recall reading about it. Most of what I've seen

relegates PA as an autoimmune disorder of which there are many theories

of the development, but not much in the way of causation.

For me, well cause doesn't seem to matter very much. I've got it, now I

have to deal with it. If someone figures out that eating spinach

causes PA, well then I can stop eating spinach. If they discover that

it's because my mother had a cocktail when she was pregnant, well then

I can't do much about that, back to dealing with it.

So, I would suggest that you deal with your disease, once you have been

diagnosed. You most likely can't change it, what other options do you

have? It certainly isn't worth having more and more joints affected and

being in constant pain. Especially when there are drugs that work for

a lot of people to alleviate most of that.

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

I'm trying to understand more about the immune system having a factor in PA.

Would it be more aggravating to take a supplement to help the immune system?

I'm taking this now. I'm also taking MTX which works great on the psoriasis, but

do have problems with the joints. For that I rub peroxide & then CSMO cream; it

sure helps me. Of course this is summer & the pain isn't as bad. Thank you all

for info & caring Love to you all, Gin

[Guest guest]

Hi Gin,

Talk to your doctor.

I'm no expert, but I am understanding that PA is caused by a hyper-

active immune system. MTX suppresses the immune system. So if you

start taking something to " help " the immune system you are likely

undoing whatever the MTX is accomplishing.

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

I agree that you have to talk to your doctor, but, I also know that

not all doctors agree on the cause and effect thing. What I

personally see in me is, when I get sick, a cold flu whatever, it

last longer and is worse AND I end up having a flare up. It takes

a lot for me to get sick, because the immune system seems to be over

active, so when I do, it's bad. But, with the immune system so

active it ends up not know when to stop attacking and it goes after

the rest of the body with all the PA that is in there it attacks

that and then a flare up occurs.

Add MTX to the mix and your immune system is going to " calm down " ,

which could be, and has been the experience of my godson, putting

you in a position of being extremely susceptible to germs and

illness, so be careful of your surroundings. He was recently

hospitalized with 4 infections all at the same time. Apparently he

got a cold and it snow balled from there.

Mind you this is a personal observation. Which based upon most of

what I read, can be just as accurate as anything else.

[Guest guest]

Yes that is what I have heard from the doctor as well. 

Tammy

From: <dave@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Causes?

Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 7:38 AM

Hi Gin,

Talk to your doctor.

I'm no expert, but I am understanding that PA is caused by a hyper-

active immune system. MTX suppresses the immune system. So if you

start taking something to " help " the immune system you are likely

undoing whatever the MTX is accomplishing.

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

Hi , Thanks so much for the simple explanation of the hyperactive immune

system and the par MTX plays. I Will bring this up with my rheumy, she doesn't

know I was taking this. You have been very helpful, I appreciate your response.

I hope your doing good. Gin