Re: medictions

[Guest guest]

As Kathy said, RA and PA are very similar. My rheumy thought I had RA

(or that was the best name he could give to what was happening to me -

even though it wasn't symmetrical, etc.) for 10 years before the

puzzle came together and pointed squarely at PA. I got the sausage

fingers and toes and then he asked if I had a rash anywhere. I said

no, but thankfully my mom was accompanying me on the trip and said

yes when I said no. He did a double take and she just said " your

head " - up to that point my P had only presented on my scalp and was

covered by my hair. I had been told by a GP that it was seborrheic

dermatitis (sp?) and given an ointment to use when it acted up. I had

just given up that I would have " dandruff " and an itchy head...little

did I know everything was connected. That was almost two years ago.

The meds are pretty much the same. I liken PA to a first cousin of

RA - they're very similar with the big differences being no RA factor

and it not necessarily being symmetrical in presentation.

As a reference, I've been living with it for 12 years this month.

I've been on Indomethacin, Plaquenil, Naproxen, Celebrex,

Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate (pill, injectible, off it, back on

pills), Arava and now take MTX (six pills a week) and Enbrel (50 mg

pre-mix once a week) along with folic acid to keep side effects away.

To be honest, it seems (thankfully) I've had a pretty high tolerance

for these drugs and faced few side effects. Have a bit of nausea from

time to time with the MTX and an injection site reaction with Enbrel,

but that's about it.

I'm about to seek out a derm as it seems my P is deciding to present

itself in other areas of my body now. I'm 32 - be 33 in September.

You should note that P has several forms. Some are flaky and scaly

while others are blister like...I'm still learning about all that.

As says, sorry you have the PA, but glad you found us.

Jenn in Arkansas

>

> My rheumaologist recently said I do not have rheumatoid arthritis

but psoriatic instead. I

> have not blotches on my skin. My fingernails have gotten fragile

and weak and the

> dermatologist said it is from aging not from PA. Who do I

believe? I have been treataed for

> RA for a year and a half and not she chnged o PA. What should I do?

>

> (Editor's Note: RA and PA are very similar and the medications are

as well so I doubt the diagnosis makes a big difference. You don't

say what meds you are on and whether or not they are working. That's

more important than the precision of the diagnosis. My grandmother

lived to age 95 and had great nails so I'm not quite so confiident in

your dermy's statement. How old are you? The best thing to do when

you are not sure your doctor is right is to question her. Ask your

rheumy why the change in diagnosis. Ask your dermy why it can ONLY be

aging and NOT psoriasis. Kathy F.)

>