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Date: 17.03.2012
From: Courtney Macfarlane

Subject: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hello there, so recently I've just found out that I have psoriatic arthitis, After about 2/3 years off appointments and xrays, blood tests, MRI's, fluid drained from my knee's, but now I have been put on methotrexate one a week on a dose of 10mg, I've been in pain for about 4/5 years with one of my knees, and since then it has spread to my other knee, my jaw, my finger and around my back area!

I'm just wondering if anyone around my age has it too, would be nice to speak to someone thats similar to me!

and Just if anyone could answer A quick question for me, My family live in Costa del Sol, I have been hoping to move out to Spain with them for a while now but since I'm going to be having regular blood tests and check ups I dont think its going to be possible, does anyone know what I could do to transfer everything to Spain area? Even if I have to go private..

Thank you,
Courtney.
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Date: 17.03.2012
From: Mike

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hi Courtney,

I have also recently been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.
It affects near enough all of my joints with my elbows being the only joints not affected.
I am a little older than you i am 27 but if theres anything you want to ask me please do im still learning about psa aswell and i have learned alot from reading through some older posts on this forum.
There are some very helpful people on here who have had arthritis for many years.

As for your question about moving to Spain sorry i cannot help you with that.

Mike
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Date: 17.03.2012
From: Dave S

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hi Courtney
I have PA also but i am 46 years young. I used to live on Costa Del Sol until 3 years ago not too sure about about meds over there but i do know u can buy a lot of meds over the counter there a lot cheaper than prescriptions here and also the health service there is excellent. As far as i know it is an EU country with resipricol health agreements with UK so you should be ok but check it with the Spainish embassy to be sure.
One thing i do know is that i felt so much better in the sun than i do in the cold and damp.
Where abouts are your family living.
Dave S
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Date: 18.03.2012
From: louloubelle

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hey Courtney

I'm 32 and have had PsA since I was 9 years old. I have quite sever PsA in all of my large joints and had hip replacements when I was 21 and 22 (apparantly this is not at all common in PsA sufferers, especially so young so please don't worry).

My condition is now completely under control and 18 months ago I had a lovely son, Oscar. I had other, unrelated health problems 18 months ago too which meant that I became incredibly sedentary so I'm now working towards getting more active. I've started pilates and this week I'm going to my first Zumba fitness class.

So, after all of that pain you've been suffering you'll be glad to know that you will soon enough find medication that suits you and enable you to live a normal and active life!

If you want to ask me anything then please do not hesitate.

All the best
Lou x
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Date: 18.03.2012
From: kate

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

how did they know you needed a hip replacement? silly question i know but i was diagnosed in 2008 am now 29 also have a baby 8 months old. But for a very long time i had severe hip pain esp after excerise or lifting, like horse riding they would spasm and it was so painful. that was ignored until 2008 when my hands decided to give in on me and not open, my hips still ache but how do u know when it gets to the point when u need bone replacement.
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Date: 19.03.2012
From: louloubelle

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hey Kate

I hadn't actually had any trouble with my hips until I turned over in bed one night and I felt a snap and then I literally could not walk! Although the rheumy said he'd never known it to be so sudden.

As it happened so immediately I went to A & E and I was sent to see an orthopedic consultant. He actually measured my leg as I was unable to stand up straight (I was all twisted as I couldn't straighten my left leg) and he insisted I had one leg longer than the other, despite my assuring him they were the same length. He was such a muppet!.... he thought it was an infection so I had to have a sample of my hip bone taken under general anastaetic and was put on traction. It was a week before he contacted my rheumy who was livid as all the traction did was make my knees swollen. And, of course, I didn't have an infection - I didn't even have a temperature.

I had an mri scan which showed I needed a replacement. I stayed in hospital for two weeks and had physio and hydrotherapy to get me going again. I think it was only about 3 or 4 months later and I was in surgery. 3 months after that I was back at work.

It's worth asking your rheumy for x-rays or maybe an mri scan to see if there is severe damage and if you need a hip replacement. Just because you are young it does not mean you should not have one if you need it. I had something called a Furlong hip replacement as they should last longer (they are ceramic ball on a ceramic socket). I've had mine for 11 years or so now without any signs of them needing to be redone.

If you want to know any more, don't hesitate to ask.

Lou x
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Date: 19.03.2012
From: Lynnr

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hi Courtney I to have pa I'm 35 and still struggling after my diagnosis 2 years ago I have it in I would say 90 percent of my body really struggling with my wrists and jaw at the moment I was on 5 dmard drugs including mxt and have been taken off each i was put on enbrel and after 5 weeks got taken off for infection that was 5 weeks ago and I'm still not back on it I have a terrible rash as well I hope you get your meds sorted and feel better soon tc x
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Date: 19.03.2012
From: Courtney Macfarlane

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hello again!

Thank you so much for your replies, I'm actually in Spain at the moment but I'm heading back to London tomorrow!

I've taken in everything that has been said and I'm really sorry to hear about all joints, without sounding horrible its nice being able to speak to people that have been diagnosed with PsA, that know what I feel!

Also, Dave S, just next to Marbella! It's a different world here and I'd love to move out just for a better life, aswell as I do feel abit better when its warm out! Swimming and sun seems to help quite a bit actually!

Thanks again for your replys, I have this forum bookmarked and will be making a regular visit!

Would it be ok to ask what treatment + medicine everyone is on? I'm taking Ibruprofen, 4 - 200mg a night before I go to sleep and normaly a few mid day if I'm finding it hard to walk!

Courtney! x
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Date: 19.03.2012
From: Dave S

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hi Courtney
We lived at La Cala de Mijas between Marbella and Fuengirola and we do miss it as you say a different way of life and so much better weather for your health.
My medication is co-codamol, Naproxen and Sulphasalasine.
The Sulpha seemed to work at first but now the pain has returned with a vengance so think i will have to ring the rhuemy nurse.
Dave S
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Date: 19.03.2012
From: rhona

Subject: Re: 21 year old with Psoriatic Arthritis

Hi Courtney, I have R/A but as far as i know they are usually treated with the same medications. It would probably be best if you were on some of the disease modifying drugs as they can slow the disease down and sometimes put it into remission. My daughter lives on the Costa del Sol near Benalmadena and would like us to move over as the weather would certainly help. As she is a resident and works there she gets the same health care as she would get here,I am not sure yet if that applies to everyone but check the internet but they are part of the European Union. x
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