Arthrotec = flare-up of my psoriasis?

May 10, 1999

Hi all,

I've been put on 75mg Arthrotec daily until my doctor gets the results of my

remaining bloodwork, x-rays, etc. back. I've already been dx'ed as having

PA. I haven't had a problem with my psoriasis at all since I was about 10 or

11, but since I started taking the Arthrotec I have been getting it on the

backs of my hands and on my knees and elbows. Is there any connection? This

is the first bout of it I have had in over 10 years.

Thanks,

-.

May 11, 1999

Dear ,

No one has ever mentioned Arthrotec activating their psoriasis. You are

feeling joint/tendon/ligament pain right? Many of us find that when the

joints flare the skin chimes right in. Perhaps it is just a coincidence that

you are getting a skin flare when you started Arthrotec. Just so you know --

there is no specific blood test for PA. The clinical diagnosis looks at a

number of things -- like whether your nails are pitted/psoriatic, perhaps an

elevated sed rate, perhaps an elevated CRP. Usually negative on Rheumatoid

factor, and of course the clinical exam of you head to toe. The

dermatologist needs to pick up the ball for the skin-unfortunately most RD's

don't handle that, although many of the drugs we use for PA will improve the

psoriasis!

Please keep us informed -- we care!

May 11, 1999

> No one has ever mentioned Arthrotec activating their psoriasis. You are

> feeling joint/tendon/ligament pain right? Many of us find that when the

> joints flare the skin chimes right in. Perhaps it is just a coincidence

> that

> you are getting a skin flare when you started Arthrotec.

>

Seems to me to be a rather interesting coincidence, given that I haven't had

_any_ problems with the skin since I was 10. It's been thirteen years since

I've had this. And it all started about when the Arthrotec started providing

me a bit of relief--two weeks or so after I started taking it.

I've been having pretty " fun " pain for about three-four months now, and have

only recently started taking Arthrotec for it (a month ago?). Nowhere during

this did I have any skin problems. So it would seem to be a rather big

coincidence to me but, hey, I'm not a doctor or anything. I'll ask my

rheumatologist when I go in next Friday I guess.

> Just so you know --

> there is no specific blood test for PA. The clinical diagnosis looks at a

>

> number of things -- like whether your nails are pitted/psoriatic, perhaps

> an

> elevated sed rate, perhaps an elevated CRP. Usually negative on Rheumatoid

>

> factor, and of course the clinical exam of you head to toe. The

>

I have never had any nail involvement with my psoriasis. It isn't even in my

family history (nail involvement). I've already gotten a negative result for

the rheumatoid factor twice. I have tested positive for HLA-B27 and have a

dual-sided family history of psoriasis--although mine has been very mild. My

pain, at the moment is primarily in my neck/upper back, extreme lower back

and hips.

My rheumatologist told me that, within PA, there are five different types.

She has taken a battery of x-rays/bloodwork, etc. to try and get a better

idea of which type of PA I have.

> dermatologist needs to pick up the ball for the skin-unfortunately most

> RD's

> don't handle that, although many of the drugs we use for PA will improve

> the

> psoriasis!

>

Good thing I have a very capable family doctor, then.

May 11, 1999

--

It's interesting that you had a P flare while you were taking Arthrotec. I

also had a P flare while taking it. I just assumed it was from the

misoprostal (hormone) that is in it. I generally have more P while my

hormones are surging (like when I was pregnant). I've since stopped the

Arthrotec and my P is back to normal (it's more of a nuisance than a problem

normally). My only suggestion would be to try Voltaren alone since it was

giving you some relief (Arthrotec is a combo of Voltaren and Misoprostal).

The only problem is your stomach might object---But of course there are other

meds for that. Good luck with finding the right combo of meds!!

Emma

May 12, 1999

To : Emaline2@...

You may be right. I was on 25mg twice a day, but about the same time was

moved up to three times a day to finish out my prescription. Now I'm

starting to take the 75mg spread over two doses a day, instead.

> It's interesting that you had a P flare while you were taking Arthrotec.

> I

> also had a P flare while taking it. I just assumed it was from the

> misoprostal (hormone) that is in it. I generally have more P while my

> hormones are surging (like when I was pregnant). I've since stopped the

> Arthrotec and my P is back to normal (it's more of a nuisance than a

> problem

> normally). My only suggestion would be to try Voltaren alone since it was

>

> giving you some relief (Arthrotec is a combo of Voltaren and Misoprostal).

>

> The only problem is your stomach might object---But of course there are

> other

> meds for that. Good luck with finding the right combo of meds!!

>

Did you have much stomach trouble on the Arthrotec? I only had a couple days

discomfort until it all settled out and even the three doses a day (giving

my system more misoprostal than it probably needed) didn't bother me much

unless I missed a dose. I am glad to be moving on from that, though..

I'll have to remember to ask my rheumatologist when I go in to see her next

Friday.

Thanks,

-.

May 12, 1999

(Apologies to any men reading this - you'll see why in a moment.)

Having only had this thing for six months (and still not sure it is PA, but

let's assume it is for now... ), I've noticed what seems to be a pattern for

the last three months. Had thought it was probably just a coincidence, but

from the comment below it seems it may not be. The pain is least just

before my period starts, and then gets gradually worse, with the worst bit

being about halfway through my cycle, when it starts to gradually get better