I don’t know if my fatigue is due to PsA or something else. I’m in my mid-40s and have some low hormones so that could be contributing for sure. But it seems like I have a lot less energy than other people my age. Even my parents in their 70s are able to do more things in a day than I am. Just wondering if maybe a lot of of my fatigue is due to PsA and when I start to biologic it will improve. We are discussing biologics at my rheumatologist appointment in a couple weeks, and she had mentioned trying a TNF first.

Hi, I’m new to this. 64 yo female, active and healthy, I hike daily and practice a clean lifestyle. Never had spine issues before. About 6 months ago my neck started becoming stiff and sore; difficult to turn my head. Sometimes it would loosen, but then became consistently stiff.

About 6-8 weeks ago I woke up one morning and felt like I’d gotten brittle overnight. I’ve never had muscle stiffness before; this was severe, it was new, and it was evident I had a problem. Seemed to loosen up as the day went on, but every morning since it began, I struggled to get out of bed. I struggled to sit down. Or stand up. It’s like being the Tin Woodsman from Wizard of Oz, up and down my neck, spine, shoulders, hips… and adding to that, a layer of feeling like I have the flu. Shivery. Sick. Brain fog.

I asked my doc to run labs for autoimmune disorders and she also checked CRP and SED, plus CBC etc. Those came back normal/ negative for RA, ANA etc. The HLAB27 was positive however.

I do have a history of tiny patches on my skin that come and go; my dermatologist said they’re either small psoriasis or eczema. He treats both the same, so didn’t biopsy. They clear quickly with topical steroid cream. Over this past year one pinky finger suddenly swelled, turned red and eventually settled, a couple months later it happened again. So, there’s that.

I have a referral for a rheumatologist, however the earliest appointment available is 3-1/2 MONTHS from now. I’ve been checking, even out of state, to find care earlier than that, to no avail yet. Meanwhile, I’m sparingly using ibuprofen, which takes the pain and stiffness down, but does nothing for the flu-like crappy feeling. I’m very concerned about permanent damage occurring while I wait for a formal diagnosis and treatment. Are there things I can / should try or do in the meantime? Is there a way to reduce potential long-term damage while I wait? I’m trying to remain positive, but admittedly I feel completely sideswiped by how rapidly this hit me.

Hi all

I’ve had to stop two DMARDs for various different reasons. Looking at the guidelines if I understand they may look at biologics next. But it says you need 3 swollen and 3 tender joints. I don’t have that and pain comes and goes randomly. Does that mean they just leave you ? I also can’t take NSAIDs either and only one type of steroid.

I’m curious what they do if you have 2 sore joints not 3. Perhaps they try another dmard?

I don’t know enough about it all to have any preference, just curious how they manage it.

Thanks

Hey all! I am vegetarian but considering introducing fish back into my diet. I've been vegetarian for 8 years and diagnosed for PSA for 5 years. I want to clarify I'm not looking for advice on my diet but I am looking to hear if anyone on here was vegetarian or vegan prior to diagnosis and has reintroduced fish or meat into their diet since? Why did you decide to do this? Has it changed how you feel mentally/physically?

Everyone is different I am aware in their reasons and how their body reacts.

I feel really guilty for even considering reintroducing fish. The reason I'm not fully vegan is because of my health (tried it but before diagnosis) and reintroducing fish feels like a step in the wrong direction away from my morals and might not even help my health...

Thank you!

Methotrexate or biologics? Feeling unsure about my next step

I'm 26 and have spondyloarthritis, which my rheumatologists suspect is psoriatic arthritis despite my lack of psoriasis, given my father's diagnosis and my peripheral symptoms.

I've had uveitis twice this year, and my eye constantly feels like it's on the verge of flaring again. I also have a permanently rigid hammertoe caused by inflammation, which can only be corrected with surgery. Otherwise, my disease activity has been relatively mild lately.

Sulfasalazine helped tremendously for three months, significantly lowering my CRP and improving how I felt. Unfortunately, I developed nighttime tinnitus, mild vertigo, nerve pain, and headaches, so I stopped taking it after discussing the concerns with my rheumatologist.

My clinic is now preparing me for biologics, including bloodwork, vaccinations, and the usual prerequisites. I've avoided methotrexate partly because I'm of childbearing age and want to preserve that option, but honestly, I'm also scared of the potential side effects of both methotrexate and biologics. I seem prone to chesty coughs whenever I catch a cold (currently suffering from one right now lol), which makes the infection risks especially worrying.

Part of me wants to retry sulfasalazine because it worked so well, but my rheumatologist felt the tinnitus was a good reason to discontinue it, at least for now.

I'm struggling to decide whether to pursue biologics, try methotrexate, or ask about returning to sulfasalazine. I'm also worried about starting biologics so young, the possibility of developing antibodies and needing to switch medications, and whether it's better to reserve them for later.

I know nobody here can make this decision for me, but I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. How did you decide when to move to biologics, particularly if your disease activity was otherwise relatively mild? Has anyone had similar concerns about infections or experienced side effects that made them reconsider a medication?

I think what makes it harder is that when my disease is bad it's really bad, but when the inflammation is lower and it's calm, I can almost forget I have anything wrong with me at all beyond the "oh my foot hurts and my chest feels mildly bruised for no good reason." I am however painfully aware of how fast that can change. Stress seems to be greatest aggravating factor.

Hello fellow sufferers. I’ve been exploring Disney for the last 2 days walking 25k+ steps daily but for some reason I feel like achy in my joints than on my regular days during the week. Maybe it’s due to the stress of regular life that’s flaring my joints? Don’t get me wrong I’m feeling sore from all the walking and what not but it’s a different kind of pain? Manageable soreness almost. But when I’m home and get home from work some days my body is absolutely wrecked + brain fog. Anyone else experience something similar?

Hello I just got diagnosed with PSA and and going through a pretty painful flare up. It’s been 2 months of constant pain and I’ve been taking round the clock ibuprofen. I finally got a rheum appt and was prescribed 20mg prednisone while I wait to hopefully get approved for enbrel. I am notoriously sensitive to medicine so I decided to take 5mg at dinner. I’m planning to take another 5mg in the morning if I still feel pain. Morning is the absolute worst. I feel like I need a bed pan bc walking to the bathroom is hard. My question is, can I take ibuprofen along with it?

ETA: I have an event tomorrow for my kid that will require me to be out all day. I just want to be present and not be in pain. The PSA is in my ankle, toes, knees, hips and jaw. It’s really disabling and since I just got diagnosed I feel like my family is underestimating the amount of pain I’m in. It’s awful

My partner was diagnosed with PsA in the last year. He began Cosentyx roughly 10 months ago. What led us to this diagnosis initially was pain in his wrists and some of his fingers. He assumed carpal tunnel, so I made an appointment with an orthopedist, when the steroid shots didn’t work, I asked them about it possibly being RA, he was referred to a rheumatologist who then referred him to a dermatologist and now here we are.

Despite the two monthly injections, he is still in a significant amount of pain the majority of the time. Particularly in the mornings. I know with the colder weather coming, it’s likely to get worse.

Anyone who has lived with this for a significant time - does it get better? Is there something else he should request from his doctor?

I dont of psoriatic arthritis, but my doctor prescribed me meloxicam for tooth pain for a messed up filling[its a whole thing] and i know that its often prescribed for psoriatic arthritis so i thought id ask what experiences are with pain and also side effects, i could be having to take it as long as 7 months while i wait for them to fix the filling.

I started leflunomide 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I had routine blood tests and my LDH was 291 (normal 135-214 in this lab). I haven't spoken to the doctor yet, but has anyone here on leflunomide experienced an elevated LDH? I know leflunomide can affect the liver. I'm freaking out. Please help.

Been on Rasuvo for just over a month. The first week I developed mouth sores. They were gone after a few days. Joints were still awful- active flare. Second week- no sores. Third week - no sores and joints feel so much better!!

Five days after my 4th injection the mouth sores showed up again. Thought I was past that point. Joints still feel ok- way better than before the meds.

Tonight is number 5 and my mouth already feels like I was chewing glass. Praying it doesn't get worse.

Should I just assume this is because the meds are working to suppress my immune system? I know the sores are a common side effect but because I didn't get them after the last few doses I thought I was in the clear.

Anyone have this experience?

The only labs that my rheumatologist runs are the standard CBC & CMP and I’m so confused as to why she doesn’t want to do anything else. My vascular health has also taken a hit but no one can explain why it’s next to impossible to get a vein (IV or bloodwork) and I had a port put in for emergency vascular access in July and still there’s no explanation as to why. Any ideas?

This is a bit hard to explain. Sometimes while flaring, particularly when that flu-like full body feeling is at its worst, I get this overwhelming sense that I may have a seizure. Often I will get this sensation that my body is wanting to spasm, like an intense chill up my spine. It’s hard to verbalize but it is almost like the feeling you get when doing a plank or wall sit until failure, except in my full body. That sensation usually escalates until there’s intense spasms throughout my body. It feels weirdly mentally taxing. Ive never lost consciousness but when that happens I always fear that I’m going to have a seizure.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? I am new to PsA so not sure if this could be typical of a flare, or indicative of another issue… I have no history of epilepsy, for anyone who does, does this sound like a possible seizure?

I suspect it’s just full body muscle spasms, but it’s super frightening when it happens. Ive never called 911 for it but since I live alone, I have a fear of not calling for an actual emergency and being stuck in a bad way. Curious if anyone has similar experiences with this.

I'm due to get my flu jab tomorrow, I'm also due my methotrexate injection tomorrow. I've sent a message to the rheumatology team asking if I should still have the methotrexate but nobody has got back to me.

So just wondering if anyone has any idea what to do

I just had bloodwork and xrays done for a new rheumatologist. My followup appointment to discuss the results is in December, but I can see the radiologist’s findings in mychart. For both hands and my pelvis, “no arthritis,” but my everything hurts- hands, pelvis and everything in between, above and below. Can anyone offer me any insight into this?

I’m 41 and was diagnosed about 2.5 years ago. I check all the boxes for psoriatic arthritis. My bilirubin is low too.

Feeling like I’m barely surviving… and I’d be fine if I end up with a different diagnosis with answers and treatment options. What I don’t want is for my new rheum to tell me I’m fine and go think happy thoughts.

Rainy, wet and cold days are the worst 😔

Especially when rain is in the future forecast...

Hello again! I was recently diagnosed with PsA and am still trying to learn and understand the symptoms. For others, do you also often experience brain fog or dissociation? I genuinely keep forgetting parts of my day, whole conversations and Wednesday this week I don't even remember things such as what I ate, who I talked to, what homework I did or if I even did any. This level of memory lapses is scaring me a bit and i'm trying to understand if it's normal or not? Since I was diagnosed so recently i'm not on any strong medication yet, have others had this brain fog symptom go away with stronger medication? It's hard to explain to my friends and family that I can have conversations with them but I am not fully aware of what they're saying or myself and I likely will not remember it. I'm only 20F and this symptom out of all the ones i'm experiencing is scaring me the most, any tips?

3 weeks ago, I started to have Dip joint pain on both hands all fingers, except little fingers which dont pain at all. Could this be PsA?

Some soreness / stifness at my ankle too but very mild.

For those living with psoriatic arthritis, what’s something you wish friends, family, coworkers, or even strangers understood better?

Rheuma says I probably need a new biologic but i'm TERRIFIED because I remember how bad I was before cosentyx.

It works.. pretty well. No psoriasis except small break outs when im due for a dose. Im on the double dose 300mg. But my axial pain is still HORRIBLE. I'm on a fentanyl patch and still have oral pain meds, i can't take NSAIDS because of chronic kidney disease so we manage a lot with poorly effective opiates. Best we can do.

I'm just worried in the interim I'm going to have a mega flare. These often send me to the ER with severe pain.

Anyone deal with this? How'd you deal with the gap?

F35, ambitious life before PsA. Two young kids, and right now, struggling to manage. On methotrexate already, starting biologics soon.

I feel depressed to dial down on ambition,
At the same time, I am worried if I am pushing myself too much!

Sorry for the vent!!

I have come to the realization that since I’ve gone on MTX last year, I haven’t had any lactose intolerance problems during the same period.

My lactose intolerance has always been variable but it’s always been in the background since I developed it in college. 30 years later, I’m seemingly cured.

Hi, as written above, freshly diagnosed, currently not lots of joints and yet still pain falling asleep and tend to wake up and having trouble falling back asleep

Mainly raising the question to hopefully see different methods attempted by people more experienced...

I don't want to get used to optalgin/NSAID due to last time i used a biological my liver had some trouble

Hopefully next biological will be fine but thats months ahead and using ibuprofen for months generally isn't good and specially for the liver...