thanks crooked toes ! Yes, I started searching for a new doc today and will ask for it. My sed rate is low, so I think the docs think my fatigue can't be caused by PsA. There is ongoing discussion in this forum about negative inflammation lab results with PsA patients. Everyone is different and for me, fatigue is the worse symptom.
crookedtoes84 said:
Plaquenil is a great med with little side effects. I hope that you find a doctor willing to prescribe it Frances. My doctor just said it will not cure the psoriasis and that the MTX would. He never said it would make it worse, but you do have to make sure you get your eyes checked regularly because the med can build up in your eyes and cause problems. it is rare and slow forming so if you get regular yearly eye visits they can catch it early. Since I only have a little Psoriasis on my toenails and scalp I decided to stick with the drops I have. I would seek some other advice because if you have a mild case of Psoriasis then I don't know why he is giving such a hard time. Good luck with that :)
I’m also finding the fatigue the worst symptom. Going from a super active life to almost nothing…it’s also depressing. Hopefully in time it gets better?
Frances said:
thanks crooked toes ! Yes, I started searching for a new doc today and will ask for it. My sed rate is low, so I think the docs think my fatigue can't be caused by PsA. There is ongoing discussion in this forum about negative inflammation lab results with PsA patients. Everyone is different and for me, fatigue is the worse symptom.
crookedtoes84 said:
Plaquenil is a great med with little side effects. I hope that you find a doctor willing to prescribe it Frances. My doctor just said it will not cure the psoriasis and that the MTX would. He never said it would make it worse, but you do have to make sure you get your eyes checked regularly because the med can build up in your eyes and cause problems. it is rare and slow forming so if you get regular yearly eye visits they can catch it early. Since I only have a little Psoriasis on my toenails and scalp I decided to stick with the drops I have. I would seek some other advice because if you have a mild case of Psoriasis then I don't know why he is giving such a hard time. Good luck with that :)
plaqunel for PsA???? Really? There are a number of reasons the younger docs quit using the anti-malarials completley except for lupus and rarely for RA. But for PsA the risks are ENORMOUS. You know sometimes it really pays to listen to your docs. If they say no, there may be a reason. In the case of this drug one of the more common side effects is deteriiration of the retina. This of course is something we worry about with PsA anyway. I guess I would be hesitant to add fuel to the fire, as are many MD's. I suppose I could paint the cane I have white. but it would be confusing and to short for a guide cane........
There are other reasons its FDA approved for PsA but heck why bother trusting someone who has sixteen years of education on the matter when we have the internet.
Doctors treat differently and it is absolutely ok to switch doctors. Each doctor has had experiences that shape how they practice. One doctor wouldn't give me ANYTHING for pain and it was debilitating, and I found another doctor who would. There are many reasons why things don't get FDA approved and it's not just efficacy and side effects. Experience is a huge factor but experience is on both ends, people with the disease and those who treat it. Sometimes science can't explain why things work but patients use it because it does work (an example). Don't take anything personally. We all have our doctors, and we all have each other and both provide a different side to the story to help complete our care.
That is very true people need to take what advice they get here, sort through it and do what works for them. Sometimes doctors just don't use a medication because they want to stay current and feel that by using an outdated med that they would not be cutting edge enough. (whether the medication works or not.) We need to be a responsible advocate for ourselves. We need to do research; not just in medication but in the doctors we chose as well.
Jo said:
Doctors treat differently and it is absolutely ok to switch doctors. Each doctor has had experiences that shape how they practice. One doctor wouldn't give me ANYTHING for pain and it was debilitating, and I found another doctor who would. There are many reasons why things don't get FDA approved and it's not just efficacy and side effects. Experience is a huge factor but experience is on both ends, people with the disease and those who treat it. Sometimes science can't explain why things work but patients use it because it does work (an example). Don't take anything personally. We all have our doctors, and we all have each other and both provide a different side to the story to help complete our care.
I had the same issue, I used to be VERY active. I now am almost sedate the pain is so overwhelming. I dont want to move and when I do want to move Fatigue is taking over. My husband says I try to be a superwoman but I am far from that these days, I just know when I do things like If I go out I do everything I can do during the trip so I dont have to go out again for a long period of time. I really want to get over the fatigue, I will try the protein, I dont eat alot and tend to eat junk because it takes so much energy to go fix something or to cook or get the kitchen dirty to have to clean it all up again. Therefore junk is handy and quick and no mess. :( I know im very bad. I am going to talk to Rhumi about Plaquenil when I go back to his office. I am to the point I am willing to try almost ANYTHING!