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Date: 12.04.2012
From: Mike

Subject: Psa question

Hi all

I read today that psoriatic arthritis can also start to affect organs in the body. First I have heard of this since being diagnosed in feb this year.
Is this rare with psa or is it fairly common?

Also a little update, I have got a appointment on the 23rd of April with the rheumatologist to discuss going on methotrexate as I had to come off of sulfasalazine.

One more question, I was on nortriptyline because I wasn't sleeping very well, I have stopped taking this as I have been sleeping a lot better.
But since I have stopped taking them my pain has gone up a level all over. Could it be the fact I stopped taking it?

Thanks for reading
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Date: 12.04.2012
From: Lynnr

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi mike yes psoriatic can affect your oragns not the more advanced you have it I'm guessing I have PsA in almost every joint with no organs affected at the moment, stopping your meds you take to help you sleep may be the cause of your extra pain or maybe you are having a flare up maybe you should speak with your rhumy nurse, hope this helps
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Date: 13.04.2012
From: Annette

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi mike can I ask where you read about Psa affecting organs and which organs and hoe it affects them. I also have Psa and haven't heard about it before
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Date: 13.04.2012
From: Mike

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Lynn thanks for your reply you and many others have been a great help in answering my questions since I have been diagnosed so thank you.

Hi Annette I can't remember exactly where I read it, I have been searching the Internet a lot since being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I want to know as much as I can about it.
I read that it can affect the eyes causing iritis which I have had recently and can also affect the lungs, heart and kidneys.
I have not had any trouble with any of these though.
I do get trouble with inflammation of the cartilage of the chest wall which can extremely painful.
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Date: 13.04.2012
From: Lynnr

Subject: Re: Psa question

Yes mike that is right it can affect the eyes and heart lungs aNd kidneys I was quite shocked when I first read this also it was not something I had discussed with my rhumy I also get a lot of pain in my chest wall I have had ECG before to rule out heart problems it it very painful and know how you feel

Take care
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Date: 13.04.2012
From: Deborah

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi mike.
Sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with pa I also have pa and have had it for 12yrs it can affect all your internal organs,your musscels,tendons,skin,hair and yes it also affects your eye and as far as I know only the left eye it also gives you headaches and affects the arteries and veins.


But as everyone is different you can have all of these or some in my case i have it in all the joints as well as the bones in my head above the ear also my cheek bones and jaw bones and my chest bones recently I had a cardiac catheriszation where they insert a camera and look at your heart because I was having chest pain but it is not heart disease just my arthritis affecting my arteries and making them thinner and the fact I have it in the rib cage and chest bones, but so far no other major organs affected.

I also think that you are in more pain because you have had to come off the anti inflamatory.Also think it would be good for you to go on mtx as I know it helped me a lot for a good length of time.Hopefully this all helps you Deborah.
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Date: 14.04.2012
From: Mike

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Deborah,

Thank you for your reply.

I am definitely going to give the mtx a try and just hope it works for me.
I read on another post that your mum had psoriatic arthtitis and also your son. I am the first in my family to have this although my dad and brother suffer more than me with psoriasis. Is it likely that my children will get it?
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Date: 15.04.2012
From: Sean

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Mike

I am not a PS sufferer - my experiences have been centred around my battle with AS. The mother of a very close friend had just started on Methodrexate and was suffering from sore throats.

I am a googler too and found a couple of links that you might find interesting - if you haven't seen them before - sorry if you already know this stuff - but it was too interesting not to share.

I searched the forum and I didn't see any references to Strep infection posted in relation to PS already.

https://www.inspire.com/groups/talk-psoriasis/discussion/link-between-group-b-strep-and-gp/

Led me to find this about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

http://leakygut.self-improvement.biz/blog/2012/04/07/2-psoriasis-molecular-mimicry-and-immune-cross-reactivity-dr-alex-vasquez-in-portland-oregon/

The video is a bit dry and he does mention that he has his book - but the video is very informative. It is the same mechanism that is also being researched for AS and RA - except the bacteria involved is different.

I will sharing this with my friends mother - and I will asking her to ask her doctor if they think the immunosuppressants are stopping her body from fighting strep infection. Because if it is - in effect the underlying cause will not be being treated or made worse.

Hope that this helps you too. All the best.
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Date: 15.04.2012
From: Mike

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Sean

Thank you for your help, unfortunately the links are not working.
hopefully i will not suffer with many side affects whilst on the methotrexate.
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Date: 15.04.2012
From: Deborah

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Mike,
Yes some of my family have psoriasis my sister,my 2 son's and 1 grandchild,

Some member's of the family can have quite bad psoriasis and no arthritis while the one's with mild psoriasis have the bad arthritis.

With this disease the psoriasis can come first then the arthritis or the arthritis then the psoriasis but you will usually find with the latter that it is a mild form in our family anyway.

Also not sure if your children would get the disease but as it is hereditary it is possible, but I know that in our family it has missed a generation.

Please let me know how you get on with the mtx I hope it help's you as much as it did me, and I know in my case I would have been really crippled by now if I had not been on it, also wanted to let you know that when I started it I think it is nine yrs ago that the only problem I had was a few mouth ulcer's but they soon cleared up and have had no problem's up to the 20mg dose all my blood test's were clear even on the higher dose of 22.5mg the same maybe a bit of hair loss as well, then the 25mg all pretty good on it blood test's clear but just more hair loss and now mouth sore's but have to change drug's anyway as my infammation level's are up.

But at the same time I have been pretty good on it and yes I still have pain but the specialist cannot believe how well my joint's have been preserved with the use of the drug also it has kept me on my feet which is so different from my mother and grandmother I thought I would have been crippled like them but it just goes to show that it does make a difference so good luck with the drug and really do hope it work's well for you Deborah
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Date: 16.04.2012
From: Mike

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Deborah,

Thank you for your reply and information.

I'm glad the mtx worked so well for hopefully I can get the same results with it.
May I ask if you were taking the tablet form or the injection?

I am slightly concerned about hair loss, I am 27 and I do have really dark thick hair.
In your experience was there a lot of hair loss? Bold patches? Or was it hardly noticeable?

Thanks again
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Date: 16.04.2012
From: Deborah

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Mike,
I was on the tablet form for 8yrs and over the 8yrs I went up slowly to 22.5 mg of mtx a little hair loss but not noticeable,then went on to the injectable form last year 25mg and have noticed that if you lift up my hair it is really thin and not so much bald patches more of a space between hairs like as if hairs are missing all over if that makes any sense,

mike I had really thick hair as well but because I am a woman and wear my hair longer I think it is more noticeable on me, but if my hair were shorter I don't think you would notice it so much.

Also everyone is different and you might never have to worry about this as it might be one of the side effects you never have which I hope will be the case for you.

just wondering how you feel today? Deborah.
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Date: 16.04.2012
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Psa question

mike been on mtx for 14 years at 20mg for RA , high does of folic acid deals with a lot of the side effects ie: 6 x 5mg tablets a week

the drug can be very effective
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Date: 16.04.2012
From: Mike

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Colin thank you for your reply, I understand that you can not drink any alcohol whilst taking mtx. Have you not had a drink in the 14years you have been on it. I am not a big drinker but do like to go out with my mates every now and then watch the football and other things and I do like to have a few.

Hi Deborah thank you again for your reply, have you found the injection form more effective?

The last couple of days I have been feeling a lot better I think maybe the steroid injection has kicked in. The fatigue has got alot better not needing afternoon naps at the mo and also finding getting up in the mornings easier.
I managed a mile and a half walk this morning, I'm feeling the pain from that now though, but really enjoyed it.
I hope the good days keep coming i havnt had enough of them in the last 8months.

I hope your feeling as good as I have in the last coule of days.x
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Date: 16.04.2012
From: rhona

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Mike, I also take MTX along with other medications, i seldom drink alcohol but when i go out for a meal i do enjoy a glass of wine i actually had 2 last night. I think now and again it's ok to have one or two as long as you don't go mad. How did the stag do go in Spain? hope you had a good time, glad to hear you feeling better. x
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Date: 17.04.2012
From: Deborah

Subject: Re: Psa question

Hi Mike
Glad to see you have been feeling so well at the moment and I am sure you did enjoy your walk and i know when we are to active we pay for it but it is worth it.

No I did not find the injection as effective the tabs were better but just made me sick but even can't take co codamol with out being sick so that did not surprise me.

Keep well mike Deborah.
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