New to NPF

[usamtang]

HI

I would like to introduce myslef, I am a 38 year old happily married mother of two who has suffered with p for about 18 years. I have it mostly on my scalp and ears. I also have small patches on my elbows, knees and waist.

My P was very managable until about 6 months ago. My joints became inflamed and my scalp and ears were full blown.

Afer a visit to my derm he suggested I get to a Rhum asap. Since, I have had every part of my body xrayed and every blood test known to man!

My Rhum would like me to take Methotrexate starting with 2.5 mg with folic asid. My GP who is a othor specialist suggested I wait and see if some vitimins and celebrex would help with the PA and possibly get it to go into remission but...

I am looking to here from others that are making the step to the "big guns" and their thoughts.

Just for fyi I take tempovate and use T-Sal shampoo for my scalp.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[DonnaF]

Hello, I am Donna I am also new here. I am 35 and have had P since I was 6. I was diagosed with PA when I was 28 and took sulfasalzine then in 1999 it moved to my lower back and I had a Dr. who didn't know how to treat me. In a 2 year time I became and still now is disabled. I am bedbound and I think you should do whatever you can to stop it from progressing. I lost everything and its a hard long fight to get ss disability, and now I can't get asst. on this new med enbrel that could help me be mobile again so do what you can. This stuff moves fast.
Good luck, if you want to talk more my email is lileeyore67@aol.com

Donna

[winter]

Welcome to NPF and the rest of us who are with you on having P. I realize that you are much younger and may have the concern about having future children but check that question out throughly and then good luck with Methotrexate. I have been on it for a year and a half and no longer would anyone know that I have P. This after having a very bad flare plus 32 years of P. It has been a godsend for me. I also take folic acid once a day plus the M one day a week. If you have any qualms, you can always get a second opinion from a qualified dermatologist. In my experience, most doctors who do not specialize in Dermatology have little knowledge of P and its very detrimental results for us. There are doctors out there who are very enthusiastic about treating psoriasis. Good luck.

[web63]

I too would suggest you go ahead and take the Methotrexate (MTX). The PA can move throughout your body fater than the testing of drugs.
I have been on MTX for over a year now. It is not doing much for me now, but I started it, it worked great. I have been through Remicade, double doses every 6 weeks. It is givin through an IV, and a local infusion center.
I have just quit the Remicade as it was not doing anything for me. I am now going to begin Enbrel TONIGHT!!!!! God I need the relief.
If it were not for determination, I would have been diable along time ago. I will give ENBREL about 4 months to work. If I do not have good results, I will begin joint replacements. Starting with my hips, because I can not sit longer that 30 minutes, and I have tears in my eyes. I must get up move around for about 10 minutes, then am able to sit for another 30 minutes. I have already recieved 9 weeks off work (FMLA) in the middle of last year. I will be going to my Rheumy next week, and will try to get some more time off.
PLEASE let your Rheumy treat it as aggressivly as he can get through the insurance company. You may be able to get on Enbrel quicker than I or probably most of us on here. It took me 10 months to get my letter to say I have been activated from the waiting list. I think now that people are getting it right off the bat, with little to no waiting.
I hope things work out for you.
Thanks,
Scott in Atlanta, GA

[marianp]

Welcome to NPF. Regarding the Celebrex....it is my understanding that the Celebrex only treats the pain and inflammation, but does not get to what is CAUSING the PA..like methotrexate and the biologics (Enbrel). I have been on MTX for 9 months, and it has slowed the PA progression, but it is still getting worse. In others MTX has halted the progression. We are all different in how we respond to the meds. I start ENBREL next week. As others have said, the PA must be treated aggressively (according to my rheumy) to avoid further complications.
Good luck with your treatment of choice.

[josiecoletti]

Hi my name is Josie and I'am also knew here.I've has p since I was 13.I'am now 34 and have two young children.I've been using all types of cream.The latest one I've been on is Dovobet.I started my lamp treatment not tolong ago.It works good.But after awhile no matter what you use or do your skin gets used to it and you have to start with something else.I believe that one day they will have a cure for this disease.I use Derma-Smoothe for my scalp and it works good.I also use tar shampoo.Once and awhile try using a different shampoo cause if your scalp gets to used to it it wont't work to good.WhatI also do in the summer is spray myself with some salt water and than go out in the sun for a bit,it works good.In the winter it gets worse,and summer time it tends to get a bit better.Try lamp treatments for a while and different creams maybe there will be a difference till summer rolls around.They say p is like a challenge you gotta try your own methods and see what happens.My doc says try eating differently.I wish you the best of luck with any treatment that you.Take care.
Josie

[Bry]

hey, you might try OLUX Foam, 0.O5%
(clobestasol propionate) it's a type
of steroid, it works well for me, it
clears my scalp in a week or so, from
what i understand the FDA approved it
also for the body, (different than scalp
foam) good luck

[psora52]

Welcome to NPF. I have had Psoriasis for 45 years. I also have a Loving,caring,and supportive wife. I am glad to hear you say you are getting the support from your spouse.
We who receive this kind of support should be thankful that our spouses can love us unconditionaly as they do.

Psora52

[Eric]

Hi, I'm new to the NPF again and wanted to use this as a way to meet and talk to people with psoriasis. I have had psoriasis for about 10 years. I'm now 25.

Have a good one,

Eric

[April1976]

hi i am also new to the web page i have had psoriasis snd the arthritst for over 4 years after many doc and many drugs and many fustration i am learning i am not along i just wish i could go back to being healthh and living life with out pain my doc has just start me on enbrel but have not done first shot yet hoping that this med work scared but hopeful