Psoriatic Arthritis - Alternative To Methotrexate?
My partner has been taking methotrexate for two years but due to the effect of it lowering his immune system he has suffered many infections and problems with wounds healing etc. As a result he has had to take various antibiotics, almost continually, for the past year. He has recently had a severe bout of mouth ulceration which, after research seems to have been caused by the excessive amounts of antibiotics creating a build up of the methotrexate. Does anyone out there know of an effective, natural alternative to methotrexate
View 1 RepliesPsoriatic Arthritis - Knee Replacement
I have had psoriatic arthritis since age 30 and I am now 67. I have the usual patches on the knees and last year in June I had my left knee replacement operation and they were able to do it without cutting through the psoriasis. I have now been on the operating list 8 times for my right knee replacement and it has had to be cancelled but nobody (Surgeon, Dermatology Dept) can clear my knee for me from the psoriasis. I am desparate for the replacement knee as from my knee my right leg goes out to the side about 12" and I am two inches smaller on the right side which aggrevates the arthritis in my spine and gives me terrible pain. I cannot sit most of the time and have to lay on my side. Can anyone help. I am using Dermovate Ointment 0.5 mg clobetasol and going on a sun bed.
View 1 RepliesSulfasalazine :: Methotrexate Not Working - Psoriatic Arthritis
i was diagnosed 2 years ago and since then i have been on methotrexate but since that hasn't worked i have recently been put on sulfasalazine which i take four a day and am still on 6 methotrexate a week. i am hoping this is going to work but since i have been on this i have been having bad side effects such as really bad head aches, dizziness and feeling sick all the time and lack of appetite so hopefully that will die down over the next few months. the only thing that i have found when feeling sick is by having zantac as it helps settle the stomach.
View 1 RepliesAutoimmune Disorders :: Psoriatic Arthritis And Sjogren's
I have psoriatic arthritis and sjogrens. I take methotrexate injections weekly and remicade infusions monthly. I still am having pain and swelling in between all of this. Does anyone else experience a lot of pain?
View 5 RepliesPsoriatic Arthritis :: Normal For My Skin To Be Itchy All The Time
I had Guttate Psoriasis thirteen years ago (just the one time, it went away not to return). Fast forward to two years ago I started getting bad pains in various joints, was told I had Burst is, then an impinged nerve and then gout and so on. At the end of January I woke with a severely swollen painful wrist. A visit to our new gp resulted in referral to the hospital and at last a diagnosis. What I want to know is, is it normal for my skin to be itchy all the time ? I don't have Skin Psoriasis. I'm not sleeping well and it's driving me mad, just bought some E45 itch relief cream which I'll put on before bed.
View 1 RepliesPsoriasis :: Diagnosed With Psoriatic Arthritis - Tips / Advice?
I'm 40 years old, mum to 2 girls 16 & 11. I just been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and I'm so scared and confused, I'm looking for people in the same boat to help me understand what I'm going through. I have suffered with scalp psoriasis for about 10 years. For about a year I had the odd pain here and there, but nothing I thought was worth going to the doctors about, but 6 months ago my knee started to hurt more regularly but I still put it down to getting old. One night I woke up in excruciating pain on my knee, could not move it at all, took a couple of hours with a bag of frozen peas to ease the pain and after taking painkillers the pain went and I carried on with my life. Just under 2 months ago that same pain came back but not just my knee, my shoulder, my elbow and my neck were affected too. I felt like I was paralysed by pain and had to be practically carried to the GP. That was the first time I ever heard of PA...I didn't even know it existed. My GP suspected it and sent me to loads of blood tests, and prescribed a load of tablets. A week later the pain was not easing so back to the GP and this time he gave me stronger co codamol and the pain started to get better. Another week and the blood tests results came back and showed inflammation, very low vit D and folic acid, so GP gave me supplements and decided to give me a 3 vial steroid injection, which he was hopeful could relieve me of pain for a month, while I was being referred to the rheumatologist. I was pain free for 3 days and then it came back with a vengeance. Back on the co codamol and naproxen but the pain was easing just a bit, I couldn't sleep as I any position made something hurt. GP asked for an urgent referral, but that got lost and despite me trying to get things moving, nothing was happening fast enough so I went private, got an appointment within 2 days and a diagnosis. I started methotrexate 2 weeks ago, which makes me very sick and diarrhoea for 3 days, then it settles. Still on co codamol for pain as I refused the steroids the rheumy wanted to prescribe. My life has been turned upside down, almost every day I wake up with different joints hurting. I feel like the pain is eating me away, it's so disheartening when I can't even prepare my child's lunch box because my hands won't allow it. I work through an agency and they are on the verge of getting rid of me because I have taken the odd day off when the pain is just too much. I have been on anti depressants for years and I feel my depression getting worse, I don't want to leave the house or see anyone because I feel so so low. Will it ever get better?
View 32 RepliesGenitourinary Prolapse :: Do's And Dont's After Anterior Repair
I have an upcoming anterior repair booked for April. I have recently realised I will have to have at least 6 weeks off to heal. My job is a sales assistsant in a ladies boutique. My husband is off with me for the first 2 weeks.My question is what can I do after this time. Will i be able to walk around, walk upstairs, make a cuppa, or even go for a run in the car (not driving i know) I understand how recovery is the key to this surgery being a success and I certainly dont want it to fail.My husband is brilliant at home so i have no worries about him doing the chores at home while i rest up. Any other advice would be wonderful from you ladies who have been through it. Positive stories welcome lol. I have a wonderful surgeon who i completely feel will do a fantastic job.
View 42 RepliesAnterior / Medial Impingement After Total Ankle Replacement?
Anyone out there having anterior or medial impingement issues following a total ankle replacement?
I'm a 50 year old female, 5 months out from a Salto TAR, with past scar tissue issues now finding increasing pain in the front and middle of the ankle. The surgeon has MRI'd CT'd and xrayed, found that all looks good and says he does not know what is going on.
A year and a half ago I had distraction with osteotomy, which failed and left me with a massive scar ball in the front of the ankle, which was removed before the TAR.
Genitourinary Prolapse :: Anterior And Posterior Repair Advice? Feedback?
I am due to go in hospital on the 26th may for Anterior and posterior repair, any help and advice on what to have for pain and have been advice to have a spinal anaesthetic
View 34 RepliesArthritis :: Mild Arthritis - Skin Feels Sore
After MRI my diagnosis was "Lots of mileage left, another 10 years, at least!" (I am 75)! Good to hear but still have to be careful going DOWN stairs! Not too bad going up! Some pain now and again. BUT I sometimes get a strange feeling on upper left thigh, (the worst knee), as if it is wet but when I touch the skin it is totally dry! Happens after I have been standing for a couple of hours.Also, sometimes the skin feels sore, but there is no evidence to show. Has anyone had similar feelings?.
View 1 RepliesCervical Spondylosis :: Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion
I'm 48 suffered with cervical spondylosis for around 6 years, in the last two years it's got so painful. I have tried all meds, last year I had an op foraminotomy where they drilled the left side spurs C4 to C7. But the last year has been a nightmare the pain is worse. I have now had more MRI & CT scans more meds and having two injections next week. I asked the long term affect of my neck I was told I have a neck of a 70 year old. What dose this actually mean? Wheelchair what?? I am also on the list for a anterior cervical discectomy & fusion.
I have a fall time desk job which doesn't help at all but have a mortgage... holiday is taken as sick days.
Cervical Spondylosis :: Anterior Cervical Discectomy/Fusion
I am recovering from Anterior Cervical Discectomy, which became necessary to avoid drastic further deterioration.
I would like to tell you about my experience and what helped me. My problem started quite unexpectedly with a persistent back ache at work (I am an office worker). Within days it was so bad that I was vomiting with pain and had to stop working (I was commuting to London). I was on morphine within three weeks, but it did not help either. I won't list here all the various painkillers I was prescribed, which helped to certain extent, but the pain was so bad that I was suicidal. The doctors communicated with me hardly at all except writing another painkiller prescription. I felt totally abandoned by them. I tried osteopathy, ordinary physiotherapy and Bowen's therapy. Bowens worked the best but nothing would give more than a few hours relief from the extreme pain. My husband then hit on the Tens machine and that was the only thing that really helped. I would recommend it without hesitation. I dropped the morphine, which was a bit of nightmare for me anyway, and managed to live with the Tens machine.
Unfortunately my problem rapidly progressed to me losing strength from my arm and from my fingers and a neurologist recommended the dissection and fusion. It is not an easy fix, but to me it saved my life. I went back to work four months after the operation, seven months after first feeling the pain. I could not say I'm as good as new, but the pain has gone. My neck is stiff, gets tired very easily and a bit uncomfortable. I cannot lift, push or pull anything heavy. But I'm here, enjoying my family and grandchildren. I couldn't ask for more. I'm 63 and now feeling my age, that's all.
Menopause :: Period - One Year Post-menopause
Three weeks ago, to my great surprise, I started to bleed after one year. The 2-3 weeks preceding this, my breasts were so sore, I was bloated and I has the typical "stringy" discharge that I used to get before my period. I was really not expecting another period but the bleeding was heavy and lasted for just over a week.
I saw my doctor a few days ago and she that she is obliged to send me for an ultrasound and possible biopsy if the lining looks thick. She said she is not worried but I am freaking out.
Can anyone share a similar experience? I read on one website that it is actually possible to ovulate and have a period after you stop menstruating for a year. I have not had any spotting - just this one "period". Of course, everything I have read says how abnormal it is to bleed after menopause and now I'm scared that there is something serious going on. My ultrasound is booked for two days from now.
Peri Menopause/menopause :: Trying To Conceive
I'm 42 and recently had blood work to check my hormones. My GYN said my labs suggested post menopause. I have yet to stop having a monthly. My periods are starting to range from 30-45 days but I've yet to skip a month. My husband and I were considering trying one last time to have another baby. Very confused
View 2 RepliesGabapentin For Arthritis?
I am now on my third rheumatologist who now tells me that the painkillers I take - oxycontin, co-codamol and oxynorm all of which are opiate painkillers are obviously not working -give the man a star - he has said that gabapentin may work has anyone used this for arthritis before.
View 2 RepliesTinnitus :: Along With Arthritis That Keep Getting Worse
Started getting tinnitus about 3 or more years ago and it has fluctuated a lot but constantly been an issue. Sometimes it gets better only to then get worse. I have tried to keep a positive attitude about this and had succeeded for awhile. Then my hands started to hurt from too many video games and about 4 months ago i got what i believe to be rheumatoid arthritis. Haven't seen a doctor yet for either, my insurance is complicated. I know i have tinnitus and also have had sinus pressure and allergies making it worse. I am in pain most days because of tinnitus and pressure in my ears and at least slight if not worse pain from arthritis all the time. It only seems to get worse. I cant exercise as this makes the arthritis worse in my elbows. Here's the kicker, i am only 24 years old and my philosophy towards pain has always been ignore it til it goes away. Mind over matter. Years of ignoring these symptoms have made living my life very difficult. Every time i adapt, the symptoms get worse and honestly both of these things though medically treatable, cannot be cured and honestly i don't think much can be done. Any advice other than see a doctor would be appreciated. I will see a doctor as soon as my insurance has been changed which i am working on now.
View 1 RepliesArthritis :: Egg Helps In Treating It ?
My healer told me, that eggs can sometimes help people with arthritis in hands if it helps at least one person...........he also said not to eat citrus or red meat
View 1 RepliesSpondylosis In The Neck By Arthritis ?
I also have Spondylosis in the neck, that is definitely food for thought. I have just had spasms in my hips, waist and back due to arthritis in my lower spine so it seems more than possible for this thing could be caused by Arthritis in the neck
View 1 RepliesHidradenitis Suppurativa Associated With Arthritis?
I have had this skin condition for over 20 years. Like others afflicted, it affects me everyday of my life. I have also suffered a lot of joint pain since my early 20's and it is getting much worse. Lower back pain with a lot of popping. My hips feel very stiff after being at rest for a short amount of time. I also have lots of pain in my elbows. I read online that the two can be linked?? Anyone else with this problem? I also read that hidradenitis suppurativa is also common or linked with Crohn's Disease and IBS. I don't have those, but do have Diverticulosis throughout my entire large intestine.
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