Let's all welcome, Bassetmom!

[MikeK]

Hi Everyone,

Bassetmom introduced herself in Kay North's Gallbladder trouble thread. I figured that she would get a better response if her story was told in a brand new thread. Here's a copy of her post:Hi, I am brand new to this site. I was finally diagnosed with PA in January 2006. This came on me with in a year. It started with sore feet a year ago to not being able to get out of chair and my hands were curling up by fall. I am taking 16 mg of prednisone down from 20 everyday and once a week 12.5 mg of methotrexate. I need to know what I am taking is normal? this is all so new, I am overwhelmed. I am barely fifty and not being able to move was horrible for me. I do Ok with the drugs but the mornings are bad. I don't sleep thorough the night. What is like for some of you? I feel so lost and alone. It is hard to explain to anyone the pain as it is something that is so corrosive and consuming, I don't think unless you are experiencing it, you can understand. I am also wondering if anyone else felt great depression. I used to cry everyday, partially from being scared, to the pain and finally because I was so frustrated. My Rheumatologist feels that it will go into remission by spring. Please share.Source: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=218180#post218180.

Thanks, everyone!

Mike

[Bassetmom]

You are sweet. thank you for your help. I am looking forward to being a contributer and member.

[quickcobra2003]

I am sorry you suffer all of these terrible symptoms. You are in the right place. There are many caring people here who can help.

[bratsareus]

Welcome to the boards.
Patty

[tmartha]

I'm sorry to hear of your pa diagnosis and the pain it is causing you; I was diagnosed last spring but I didn't really believe my rheumy until the fall (if you can believe that one) - denial. Not my style, usually - but I was scared. I'm still working on accepting it and adjusting, and the people here have helped a lot. I hope you will find the same.

It's miserable to be in pain, it's terrible to HAVE to slow down, and it stinks big-time to have people wonder why the heck you don't do what you used to because "you don't look sick"... you are not alone.

When did you start the mtx? Today was my fourth dose/fourth week - 12.5 mg/wk like you. Folic acid every day, too? You'll see from reading here that the same drugs on different people can work very differently - but it's interesting to compare. Try not to get too discouraged because there are plenty of other combinations, too, so if this one doesn't start working, eventually you can find something that WILL help in your individual case. My pain did begin to diminish about a week ago - the mtx seems to be starting to help! (amazing, after nearly 2 years of constant pain?!)

It's after 1 a.m. and usually I'm to sleep by 10, but couldn't get comfortable tonight. Yep, pa interferes with my sleep too, usually waking me early rather than keeping me awake. As you mention - morning pain - that's the worst, for the longest time just horrendous for about 2 hours after waking, when I'd finally 'limber' up (you call THAT limber? :) )But in the last week - much better - about a half hour of pain instead.

Anyway, those are just some experiences of one person with pa, there are many others and many different experiences - I hope you find some information and comfort here, as I have.

Tani

[RichJ]

hi Bassetmom,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you.

have a good day all

richard

[teddyg]

Welcome!! I'm only new here myself. I understand what you're going through, though it seems you're probably worse than myself, or I"ve just gotten used to it. lol
yes, you are right, it is great to find a place full of people like yourself, and realise that you are not crazy, you haven't developed a mental illness or something, this disease is real, and it hurts!!
:-)

I hope you find some relief with your new meds and some encouragement round the boards here.

Georgina

[ouchyk]

Hi Bassetmom,

Welcome.

Acceptance can be difficult but once you are on the right treatment program and start to feel better it gets easier.

Many people do very well on MTX and have found relief with it, it can take a while to get the dosage right and sometimes you have to adjust medication according to how your doing.


Hang in there,
Karen

[Bassetmom]

Everyone here seems so nice. Thank you for your welcome. I was very whiney last night. I have so many questions and it is great to be able to share concerns.
My first question probably shows how naive I am. My rheumy said that he feels that my pa can and will go into remission by spring...is this possible? From what I have read, it sounds like this disease is progressive and gets worse, not better.
The methotrexate I am taking...what does it do actually? I also am on week four, two weeks of a lower dosage and then the 12.5. It has helped.
What about the prednisone...I have put on weight, which I didn't need and my face looks like the "Michelin girl". I am trying to ween my self off but I have actually been on it only for three months.
Dr. said no more Advill, which I was eating like candy. I have been good about that and I am not taking it unless it is an emergency.
My pain level is not like some of you write about, so I am blessed. I think the meds are helping me so far with the pain.
What are some of the other side effects people get? Not that I am looking for them, just want to know if I am nuts or this is all part of this game.
You all are a great comfort to me and thanks

[ouchyk]

Bassetmom,

Oh my goodness, please don't ever feel like your whiney. I feel like I put the " W " in that word! You've come to a place where you can safely vent, and people understand what your going thru.

I think it's great that your able to articulate whats going on, sometimes it's good to be able to write everything out, it can be therapeutic.

I was on prednisone all summer, I LOVED it. It gave me my energy back and made me virtually pain free. Thankfully, I didn't have any weight gain or side effects that I am aware of. I've taken it on and off for a few years now but can no longer take it due to other medical issues. You have to be super careful about weaning off of it, taper slowly. I'm sure your rheumatologist has told you this and will keep a good eye on you. Some people flare with thier psoriasis when they stop prednisone, I never did.


YES! Some people DO go into remisson, even if it's a drug induced remission. There are MANY success stories!! I know of a few people who have had longstanding remissions. No two people are alike with this disease.

I'm not on methotrexate but have family members as well as friends who have used it with success.

You might want to look at the treatment section for PA and read up on methotrexate and prednisone.

http://www.psoriasis.org/treatment/psa/dmards.php

I'm sure others will be along to share thier mtx experiences.

Karen

[kaynorth]

Hi Bassettmom

I felt really depressed and thought my life had come to an end. I was 36 and could see no future with my 2 sons. Two years on and a lot of juggling with meds I am almost back to normal and can do most things. Not bad for someone who couldn't walk for 3 months or even hold a cup of tea!!

Hang in there and visit the boards often. We all understand the pain and the depression and talking really can help.

Lots of love

Kay

[patti2957]

Welcome Jane (is that your name?)
I've said it a zillion times and I'll say it again: This place is often my only source of comfort and community, especially when I'm feeling down and/or ill. The knowledge, understanding, friendship and shared experience makes such an incredible difference.
I was dx a year ago and am only now in the throes of real acceptance, having turned to steroids many times to reduce the impact of the PA and let me believe that it's not really that bad. In truth, mine isn't that bad; I don't have any permanent joint damage, large joint involvement, excruciating pain. But, I have pain and swelling in both feet, ankles, knees, wrists, hands, neck... and without any meds I'm homebound, between the pain and stiffness, fatigue and general 'ill' feeling. Mornings have never been good, and still aren't, though better after a few months on mtx.

The methotrexate I am taking...what does it do actually? I also am on week four, two weeks of a lower dosage and then the 12.5. It has helped.
What about the prednisone...I have put on weight, which I didn't need and my face looks like the "Michelin girl". I am trying to ween my self off but I have actually been on it only for three months.
What are some of the other side effects people get? Not that I am looking for them, just want to know if I am nuts or this is all part of this game.
You all are a great comfort to me and thanks

I'm now tapering off prednisone, which makes me realize just how much it has helped. I'm down to 13 mg. from 20 mg. and can already tell a huge difference. Weight gain? I described myself to my friend TM as a "chipmunk wearing a lifejacket" because of my moon face, the ring around my belly and the pads at the base of my neck. I am looking forward to wearing my clothes again:).
The mtx (12.5 mg.) makes me feel very out of sorts about 24 - 36 hours after taking it... I don't like to have much, if ANYthing, on the calendar. For the first few months it totally wiped out 1 - 2 days every week. It does get better though. I've had problems with hot flashes, a foggy mind, trouble sleeping (when I'm not unconscious)... but I'm not sure how much is the mtx, the prednisone, and the PA.
I just started Humira week before last, as the mtx wasn't quite enough. My rheum is convinced that I'll be able to get my life back in a few months, as it begins to work. I can only hope that she's right; the past year has been overwhelming to say the least.
Take good care and keep posting; if you haven't taken a look at older threads about mtx, relationship issues, etc. there is a ton of valuable information to read.
Oh, and as Karen said, whining? please. I don't think I've ever once been nailed for griping; as I said, here is the only place I can vent!
blessings,
patti