22 years old with psor. arthritis

[laur827]

Hi, I'm a 22 year old female who was recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I have been put on so many anti-inflamatories, that the list is too long to list here. My toes are swollen and killing me. They are even starting to deform a bit. Many people mention Enbrel and Kineret, but my biggest concern is what it COULD POSSIBLY do to my reproductive system, seeing as how I am still very young and would like to have a family in my future. What about Methotrexate- is that a more logical "next step" than one of the other methods? Also, does anyone have any other "home remedies" that could reduce swelling and joint pain? I am just sick of being used as a guneia pig with all the antiinflamatories b/c in the meantime my disease is getting significantly worse! Email me with any tips! THANKS SO MUCH.
-Lauren
PS- I would love to speak with anyone else around my age dealing with the same situation.

[danjobe]

hi my name is dan im 36 and suffer with both psoriasis and psa. all i can say is stay away from the methotrexate and some of the older drugs, they do a number on your body. but enbrel is a great medicine i was just at the npf confrence in orlando and spoke to quite a few people there that have been on it and say it is a life saver the only problem is you have to have your doctor put you on a list to get it because they can not make it fast enough. but from what they have said it should be back on track early 2003. beleive it or not i just use 800 mg of ibprfin once a day for the swelling works great you can just use plain old advil but take it regular every day. will help alot. well have to run there is alot of great stuff comeing soon for are condition was very ood confrence try tomake it to next years you will learn alot. email back if you have any ?..................

[web63]

I would not say to stay away from Methotrexate (MTX).
You will not get on Enbrel for a long time!!!
I have been waiting for 9 months, and they say it will be December or January before I can get it.
Here is my list:
Azulfifine - 1500 mg daily
Prednisone - 10 mg daily
Folic Acid - 1 mg daily
Methotrexate - (shots) 1 per week
Remicade - double dose 3 hour infusion every 6 weeks
I am still in pain!!!
I am off for 9 weeks on FMLA.
The rest I am getting from being off of work is not helping either.
Good Luck.. e-mail me if you would like he true story DMARD's and NSAID's
pa@web63.com
Scott in Atlanta, GA

[natmont]

Hi Lauren,
I so understand what you are going through. I was 26 when I got PA - I had developed P during my pregnancy when I was 25. It started in my feet and moved into my hips - I could barely walk and had to use a cane. The doctors wanted to put me on MTX, yet since my son & I were still nursing, I said no. Plus, I was worried about future pregnancies. Then I went the holistic route. Within 5 months I was back to "normal" - my toes on my left foot are a bit damaged. I did acupuncture, herbs, diet modifaction, bio-feedback, & homeopathy.

During the next 6 yrs, I only got PA in my fingers - I would go get cortizone shots in them to reduce swelling. My doctor would tell me to hurry & have more kids so that I can go on stronger meds than the NSAIDS I was taking.

Well, fast forward to Sept/Oct of last year - we were TTC our next baby and at that time I was taking prescription naproxen for my PA (in my feet & hands this time). I had heard that NSAIDS were implantation preventers and I need to get off them. So, I went to an acupuncturist and within a month I was off the naproxen - I was no longer walking in pain and my baddly sollen finger was doing better. I continued the acupunture for 3 months - until I found out I was pregnant.

My new son was born 3 1/2 wks ago - did you know that pregnancy puts PA into remission? Not my P though! My one sollen finger went back to normal - very happy about that.

Anyway, just wanted to share my story with you - if you would like to contact me, email me at natalie_montgomery @hotmail.com.

warm regards,
Natalie

[PJ Leary]

Hi Lauren,

I got pa whenI was 18, 2 years after developing severe psoriasis. I am now 42, and the mother of 4 healthy children. I had the same concerns about the systemic medications when I was young. I refused many medications during my child bearing years. I had my tubes tied when I was 36.

In my estimation, you are wize to be concerned. I would not even do UV treatments while I was pregnant and nursing ( though I would sunbathe when the opportunity presented itself ). Many of these medications are simply not old enough for us to be entirely certain. When I weighed that fact against the potential health of my unborn children, well, it was a no-brainer.

Although it is difficult to remember at times when we are most uncomfortable and in pain, there are many worse things than p & pa. It is possible to have a happy and full life, as many here will testify. We just need to sort out how to do that with this handicap.

Information is power. Power to choose your own path. Sharing with others like yourself is uplifting, and gives a different sort of power.

Regards,
PJ Leary

[whyme?]

I'm 24 and am just starting Enbrel treatments. I had alot of trouble getting mtx, and the stonger meds because of my age and ability to get pregnant. I had to sign legal papers, and talk to a shrink before starting the mtx. I am in the same boat, I would like to have more children in a couple of years, and worry that all these superpotent drugs will affect my reproductive system. I would also like to know if anyone has concieved after these superpotent drugs, and if they affected your child in anyway.