Through xrays, symptoms, and clinical signs, my rheumatologist diagnosed me with PsA. I was in a lot of pain. There would be days where it was not so bad, but other days I could barely walk, and my hands were very painful. I had mild psoriasis in my scalp, my ears, and patches beginning to appear on my elbows. My nails were pitting, and had horizontal ridges in them.To help confirm the diagnosis, my doctor put me on a trial of prednisone for 2 weeks. While on the prednisone, my pain did gradually decrease until the point that I had barely any pain. Right after I was done with the prednisone, I had a pretty intense flair for about a week. But, since then, I have been almost completely pain free (I am very happy about that!) And, my psoriasis in my ears and elbows had cleared up. There is still some psoriasis in my scalp, but very mild. The ridges in my nails are growing out, and except on one thumb, I am not seeing any new nail pits.
Seems weird. Could I have gone into remission? Either on my own or with the help of the prednisone?
Seems as though anything is possible. Is there a minimum length of time for it to be considered in remission? For some reason three months pops into my head. If you're in remission, congratulations!
PsA "flares" can be frequent or infrequent, or in some people chronic. The goal of medication is to keep active disease at bay, and hopefully not have any flares ever.
I've had many months with minimal symptoms including being virtually pain-free. I dare say it becomes difficult to gauge what 'symptom free' might mean though because there are certain signs and symptoms that we may acclimatise to. For example, the last time I had a steroid jab in my backside I wasn't sure I needed it at all but a few days later I realised I felt as if I'd been dowsed in WD40, moving was so fluid & easy. In the past my rheumy has described my PsA as 'very well-controlled' but he stops short of using the 'R' word.
You don't give a time scale for the changes you describe, but whether you're in remission or just doing really well, long may it last!