FW: Newbie (sort of)

[Guest guest]

> Newbie (sort of)

>

> Hello,

>

> Sorry, this is long...

> My name is Bryna and I just joined the PA group. I was dx'd in

> late June with PA though I've had arthritis symptoms for about 2

> years. (After clear x-rays, my GP pretty much forgot about my

> symptoms, which tend to migrate. Got dx'd formally by a rheum.) Have

> had mild psoriasis (L elbow and knee) for nearly 20 years, since age

> 20.

> Parental hx of OA, my dad had mild psoriasis...great aunt with RA.

>

> Also, this is the second health-related mailing list I'm on--I am very

> grateful to be in remission from kidney cancer (7 years this

> December). (Guess my nickname should be " Lucky, " huh? ;-)

> Interestingly, kidney cancer also seems to have an immune system

> connection. It was the experience of being a cancer survivor that led

> me to pursue my interest in massage therapy. I will complete my basic

> studies this year at a great school. So it was a real kick in the

> teeth when the PA, which had previously been in my inside elbow and

> knee, had migrated back to its original site (L thumb and 2nd finger)

> while I'm in massage school! :-( But I've been fortunate to have very

> supportive family, friends and instructors.

>

> The rheum has me on Disalcid--step therapy, even more important with

> only one kidney--but more than one dose makes me too sleepy to

> function. I'm now trying Biofreeze gel and am--this is the big

> one!--cutting out refined sugar from my diet. So far, so good (Week 3

> with only *minor* lapses) (One day at a time...)

>

> From what I've read of this board's most recent posts, everyone seems

> very friendly and supportive, as is the case with my kidney cancer

> group. That is so wonderful! I look forward to " meeting " more of you

> online. Thanks for your help and for being here.

>

> Two quick questions:

> 1. Do you find psoriasis flare-ups and the arthritis flare-ups happen

> at the same time?

> 2. How long do flare-ups often last? My thumb has been involved since

> May.

>

> Bryna

> Newtown, PA

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bryna -

My flares of P seem to have nothing to do with how my joints feel. I have

very little P, mostly on my scalp and it's pretty bad right now. But my

arthritis pain hasn't shown a correlating flare - at least not yet.

As to how long a flare lasts, well, I never went into a full remission from

my one big flare, which was 2 years ago, so I don't really know. I do seem

to have trouble with a particular joint now and then, but it usually only

last a few days. I'm not sure if that's really considered a flare.

Anyhow, hope you are having a pain free day. I'm glad to hear you've come

thru the kidney cancer so well. I suffer from repeated kidney stones and

worry that all this trauma to them might cause something to go wrong. It's

such a painful area to have act up - and although stones in no way compare, I

can sympathize with all you must have been through with your ordeal with

them. Stay strong - if you can deal with kidney cancer, PA should be a piece

of cake