New

[Guest guest]

Hi I'm new to this group too.  I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis 7 years

ago and then developed the psoriasis about 5 moths ago.  so my diagnosis was

changed to psoriatic arthritis.  I've had a history of fibromyalgia too and

really severe chronic migraines--don't have a lot of trouble with this anymore. 

I actually wsa put on an allergy diet many years ago and discovered that I was

allergic or had a sensitivity to coffee and that was triggering the FM. 

Whenever I drink coffee I get the FM symptoms back. 

I was taking Remicade for the RA and it was working great but the psoriasis

broke thru.  So this dermatologist I started seeing said that Enbrel is usually

more effective for psoriatic arthritis.  I'm currently in the process of

switching meds and crossing my fingers this is going to work. 

I've never taken Plaquenil or any of the DMARD's.  I tried methotrexate once

but, it did nothing for me.  Other people I know have had a lot of trouble with

the DMARD's because they can be very toxic and cause some nasty side effects. 

I've found the biologics to be more effective and they are actually supposed to

be less toxic to your system.  I've never had a problem other than an increase

in number of sinus infections.  I've noticed that some docs are reluctant to use

the biologics like Enbrel or Remicade or they don't use them in sufficient

doses.  My doc does clinical trial research and is at a major teaching hospital

in Chicago.  He's very comfortable using the biologics and reluctant to use

DMARD's due to the toxicity. 

My sympathies about the humidity--it's very humid in Chicago right now and it

makes me miserable too.  I've thought of moving to a dryer climate.  I can take

the cold just not humid or wet/cold.  Good luck to you.

Joan