PA

November 24, 2005

In a message dated 11/17/05 1:32:31 AM GMT Standard Time,

hdtattoo61@... writes:

Hi! I'm new but the pa isn't. I've had psorisis for about 30 years.

The joint pain didn't start until about 15 years ago.

Hi Kim,

Welcome to the group. I'm glad that you found us. That's a downer, shelling

out $398 dollers to be told you are healthy.

I would have said you might be better trying to get another opinion but then

you will need to pay out a similar amount.

There are plenty of knowledgeable and caring people on this list so any

questions, just ask. Someone will be able to answer you.

Take care,

November 30, 2005

Hello

Sorry to hear that you have been dealing with the P for so long. I

have had terrible problems with my skin since I was very young too.

I just want to say it sounds as though your dermatologist is

unfortunately seeing many of the symptoms and telling you right

about seeing a rheumatologist and please, please change your mind

about waiting to schedule an appointment with a good rheumatologist.

The sooner they can get you started on the treatment that is right

for you the better off you will be. Early treatment is so important

to prevent further damage or at least prevent it from becoming such

a rapid decline. I have been with my rheumatologist at Vanderbilt in

Nashville TN for treatment of PA about four or five years now and

although the pain is not gone completely I am happy with the results

we have worked so hard together to get. This is why getting a rheumy

ASAP is so very important. It may take them more than a few attempts

to get you on the right medication or combination of meds for your

system. Also you may not be happy with the first rheumatologist you

see. I know for me personally it helped unbelievably when I changed

doctors. Now I am comfortable with a physician who works WITH me and

talks TO me instead of AT me. I hope you will not waste any time in

searching out the right rheumatologist and treatment for yourself.

You have my best wishes and prayers.

P.S. I am only two years older than you and just like you and I

suppose almost everyone else here as well, I never expected to be

dealing with such a serious, dibilitating, painful and depressing

disease in my whole life much less in my forties. I think it is

probably a little difficult for any of us to accept at first. I

thought my life was over for a few years there until I got with an

excellent doctor and now I know it was just a new beginning.

GOOD-LUCK

~Debi

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I was diagnosed with P at age 3. I am now 46 years old and

feeling the beginning symptoms of PA. Symmetrical sausage fingers,

sore lower back in the mornings.

> I'm in denial right now, even though my dermatologist has

directed me to see a rheumatologist.

>

> Can't believe this is happening. I've read many posts and I

feel for all. Can't bring myself to see a rheumatologist just yet.

>

> ---------------------------------

> Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

>

May 31, 2006

Ok...you are the one to make us all feel thankful and YOU could teach us a

thing or two about hanging in there. But I have to ask, did someone tell you

that 50% of PA patients die within 5 yrs of getting diagnosed? Or did I misread

that? I hope someone on here can give you some advise on how to handle this one.

Prayers, -Betz

Sharon <sharonm757@...> wrote: I have been diganosed with PA for 3 years

now. My Rhemy gave up on me

as far as treatment. I tried the sulfur drug,plaquenil, methotrexate

which put me in the hospital. A little about my history I am a 3 time

cancer survior! So when I first went to see my rhemy he said that I

couldn't take the harsher drugs. When all else failed he said Enbrel

or there wasn't anything he could do for me. I talked it over with my

family doctor and she said NO WAY it would suppress my immune system

so much that I would get cancer again and I would not survive it

again. So I am currently taking Avinza,(morphine time released) and

Lyrica for the pain but nothing to slow down the process. I have a 13

yr old son who I would love to see graduate high school but according

to what I have been reaing 50% of people diganosed die within 5 years

of being diganosed. I do not want to be one of those people. The only

kind of excerise I can do is water aerobics which is hard to get to or

even do with the pain that I have at times i can't do anything but lay

in the bed. Is here something else that could be taking help fight

this or am I just doomed? I don't give up easily the 2d me they told I

had cance they said I was going to die and here I am 6 years later

fighting another disease!!!!!!!! Anythng is worth trying this time.

Thanks, Sharon

May 31, 2006

Dear Sharon

Where did you read that 50% of people with psoriatic arthritis are dead in 5

years or did I misread what you wrote. Psoriatic arthritis is not a disease

that usually kills. I have never read that and have done a lot of reading.

You may want to get another opinion or several other opinions because there

is a lot that can be done to alleviate the suffering of the disease and I

think that the percentage of people who get cancer from or at the same time

as taking there drugs is so small that I would be more concerned with being

comfortable than the small percentage of chance of having a problem. I must

remember too that if it is you who gets the problem statistics don't mean a

thing. Good luck Anne

[ ] PA

I have been diganosed with PA for 3 years now. My Rhemy gave up on me