From a new list member

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

Im Dianne from Australia and Ive been lurking on the list for a few weeks

just learning what this Psoriatic arthritis is all about.

Ive only been diagnosed in the last 3 weeks...still to have confirming blood

test and lumbar xray before going back to my Rheumy on 20th June. I dont

have any swollen joints as such but have aching painful ones...elbows,

knees, lumbar spine, shoulders and fingers. Fingers in general have swollen

.. Have the painful heels as well. Ive got psoriasis on the backs of my legs

and behind the ears and in the scalp as well as on my feet.

Did anyone start off just like me and develop into full blown PA quickly ? I

dont know what to expect.

I am a midwife and work in our local hospital. Im a general nurse too but

havnt worked in general for over 20 yrs so Im not familiar with this kind of

arthritis and all the drugs you are all talking about.

Ive been on Ibuprofen tabs 1 twice a day for the last 3 weeks and although

it has reduced the stiffness I still have some aching.

Would appreciate any advice in these early stages. I must say Im not looking

forward to getting any worse after reading all your emails. Its great that

you are all supporting each other so much.

Thanks for this mailing list. Iam on ICQ too if anyone else is Id love to

chat my number is 20125897

Cheers Di

[Guest guest]

Hi Dianne,

I'm also in Australia. I have had pa for 6 years I had psorisis since I was

about 14 and I'm 36 now. As mentioned in my previous emails I feel it was

the result of previous bacterial/viral infections that I had, and the

subsequent medication I was given over a few years that started the

arthritic component. I'm yet to do the antibiotic thing - still hesitant,

trying to get the courage. I'm currently on methotrexate and a short course

of prednisione (?) as I'm in a really bad way at present. I was on Vioxx

but it was of no benefit.

My illness progress slowly at first I had 'hot' fingers and toes and

gradually I developed pain in other places. I use to be athletic, but now

find it difficult to do any exercise without having 3 to 5 days of extreme

pain and temperature after. This year I have had infection after infection,

including more recently a parvo virsus.....I think it is the result of

methotrexate.

It's not all doom and gloom though as I have several friends with the

illness who were very sick once and are now completely in remmission - I

believe it depends on the individual.

Anyway if you wish to discuss PA further just email or you're welcome to

call me 03 9481 8728.

Kate

----- Original Message -----

From: and Dianne Ohlm€  üs <do@...>

From a new list member

> Hello everyone,

> Im Dianne from Australia and Ive been lurking on the list for a few weeks

> just learning what this Psoriatic arthritis is all about.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Dianne,

I'm just back off vacation, so this is probably the first time I've written. My

PS started in 1976 in the hair and scalp, face and then progressed from there.

My GP diagnosed me with Osteoarthritis at that time. But I wasn't diagnosed with

PA until about fiver years ago. I can't say that mine progressed fast...but

gradually got worse over the years. Right now I am having a whale of a flare

with the PS and of course the PA is hurting more also. I think each one of us

progresses differently or are in remission at different times in the course of

things.

I did pretty well on this trip. We drove around 1,500 miles round trip...I kept

the swelling down in my feet by rolling a golf ball with my feet each night

before going to bed. It does work. I also managed to do some pretty good

walking. I'm not a good walker even in the best of times.

Remember, we are all hear and are eager to help in any way we can.

Donna in Michigan

_and_Dianne_Ohlm & uuml;s wrote:

Hello everyone,

Im Dianne from Australia and Ive been lurking on the list for a few weeks

just learning what this Psoriatic arthritis is all about.

Would appreciate any advice in these early stages. I must say Im not looking

forward to getting any worse after reading all your emails. Its great that

you are all supporting each other so much.

Thanks for this mailing list. Iam on ICQ too if anyone else is Id love to

chat my number is 20125897

Cheers Di

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kate for your reply. Good to hear from another Aussie. Im just

learning at the moment and dont really know what to expect for me at this

stage.

Di