Onset of PA

[mama]

Hi everyone!
Does PA come on very suddenly? I mean one minute (literally) you are fine and the next you are not. I ask because today while I was driving I had several episodes of very sharp--needle-like--pains in my foot and it really scared me. Right now I am fine, but I am concerned. I've had P forever. I'm 55 and thought that if I hadn't gotten it by now that I was relatively safe.
Regards to all!
Mama

[web63]

YES! My Psoriatic Arthritis (PA) came on suddenly. Mine started in my hip. From the first day I felt the pain, 3 months later I was going in for a Corisone injection, beause I could not walk. It was about 3 months after that did I get DX with the PA. That was about 1.5 years ago.
I am now taking: Methotrexate (MTX) (shots), Azulfidine, Prednisone, Folic Acid and just had my 4th Remicade infusion.
I can't wait to try Enbrel, but I got on the list in Feb. 2002, and they tell me it won't be until the beginning of next year (2003) before I can begin using it.
If you suspect you have PA, get to a Rheumitologist now! You will need an aggrissive treatment. Don't wait like I did. When it gets bad, it is hard to get it under control. I spent more days in pain than not during 2001. Believe you me, it is no fun! I wound up with 4 cortisone injections in each hip (8 total), that is not fun. It takes a Radiologist to give them, and it takes about an hour or so for each injection. They worked well for the first month or so, but then be gan wearing off. That is when I got on MTX. It is working well along with the Remicade infusions. If you would like to talk personally, e-mail me at web63@yahoo.com. Good luck, and I hope you get fast treatment.
Scott in Atlanta, GA

[nuttydenise]

Oh it sure can. I went for a walk four years ago and my knee started to hurt. I had a partial tear in my quad tendon. That was the start of this nasty disease. Yes get to a Rhuematologist as soon as you can. I am on a waiting list for Enbrel. I have had troubles with most of the medications. For now I am using bextra and lots of tynelol #3. Good luck
Denise

[Kirk]

when mine came on intitially it would do what I called 'pinging' in some joints which was a sharp pain like that.

It eventually leveled into a dull ongoing ache.

it's now controlled under a layer of vioxx. :)

[mrwood]

Thanks for the info guys! I never even thought of the sharp pains being PA. I have had them in my feet and recently in the joints around my neck. I have had them in my hands also. My derm. was afraid that I would get it because the psoriasis in my hands is so bad that they are constantly swelled. He wants to put me on MTX before pa has a chance to set in. Just still not sure that I am ready to go down that road.

[heidinklein]

Yeah, PA can start right up, but unfortunately it sounds like to me you already have it....your hands being so swelled up, that doesn't sound good.

:O(

I feel for you! My empathy is right there with you!

Get on that MTX, and I wish you well!!!

-heidi

[Kristy]

just remember once you start the mtx the p can get much worse if you need to stop. I wish you the best of luck...