Re: P amd PA ; New Member

[Guest guest]

> Morning All,

>

> Was browsing and found this sight. Needless to say I was really

> surprised to see a P and PA chat list.

> I read some of the archives and also the home page.

> However, again I was surprised to find so many were suffering from

> this rare arthritis. I have many people. with psoriasis and other

> types of A. but none with P. and PA.

> Nice meeting you all.

> I am 72 yrs. old. I have had P. since I am 13 and PA since I am

> 21. 59 years of P. and 51 of PA.

> So as you can figure, I have a long history and story.

>

> However I did not read all previous messages, but those I did

> read, I didn't see anyone has had surgery to relieve the pain

> in their hands.

>

> I read about MTX, fatigue, other meds. flare ups. etc.

> Well as you know PA dissolves the bones and either fuses itself,

> and after much pain, and once fused, you are left with short

> fingers or toes and yes, maybe lost a inch from the spine fusing.

> (Spondylitis)

>

> When I was 42 I had surgery. on my right hand. I have rubber

> prosthesis in my knuckles and 4 of the 5 fingers on my right hand

> fused. ( to save more shrinking. My index finger is about an inch

> long.. The shortest of the 4. Not a very pretty hand however

> I have never had pain in it since the surgery..

>

> Now my feet are another story. It is too risky to operate on

> the toes which have shrunk or fused in various sizes and shapes. I

> did limp a little as the my feet are just beyond hope.

> My P. has been vicious through the years. I use to be hospitalized

at

> least twice a year. for crude Tar treatments and ultraviolet. A head

> to toe flare up. usually in Feb. and Nov/Dec.

> I still have a large patch on my leg that has been their for 30

> years, and still get flare ups, in other areas, at times. (the

> last big one caused by medication taken for a Viral infection.) I

was

> just one big red scale.

>

> Sad that meds. good for the PA cause flare ups in the P.

> I have taken it all except MTX .(it's been offered but I opted not

> too) From 24 aspirin a day, to gold salts, and any new med.

> in between.

>

> Well 59 years is too long to cover here, in one message.. But I

> would be happy to answer any question. and I know during

> discussions that I will be also learning a hearing more about

> others who have and are suffering with these diseases.

> God Bless and Help, you all,

>

> Alice Pick

Alice,

I had surgery when I was 45 (21 years after contracting PA).

The wrist fusion of my left wrist left no pain whatsoever, but the

fusion of the top thumb joint hurts whenever I have a flare up and I

had to have a second op to remove the pin.

Mike

Wiltshire, UK