Oh yes Michael I intend to grow old disgracefully much to my fellas delight 
The subcut MTX is better for me but as I think I may be at the start of another flare, Iām relieved to be back at the Rheumatologists next month.
Just been reading the revised guidelines for DMARD treatment for PsA in the Uk so gonna post that in a bit 
I believe there are three "must haves" for any psoriatic arthritis patient:
1. A good doctor. If you can't communicate with the one you have, or just don't feel it is a good fit, find another one.
2. A knowledge of your disease. You have to be your own advocate and speak up for yourself. Knowledge allows you to explain to your doc exactly what you feel or think is going on.
3. A knowledge of the medications. Different medications do different things in different ways. You need to understand DMARDS and biologics. You should undestand pain medications. You should understand steroids. It is your body, discuss concerns with the doc, don't blindly take medications, understand risks and benefits. Let your doctor explain to you why his/her medication plan is a good fit for your situation.
Ask questions on the board. Read information from reliable sources. Communicate with your doctor.
Your experience will be easier to navigate with knowledge and a great doc.
Best wishes to you in your journey impgypsy.
Lamb, I remember us chatting one day about my symptoms and you noted you have the spondylitic PsA like I doā¦ Is that one of the types of PsA that is more progressive in your experience? My back has been a major problem of mine for years and I am starting to wonder if it was the PsA all this timeā¦given that Iām young and fairly healthy and active otherwise br/>
tntlamb said:
Just a quick personal note in regards to the new mods around here. We have a teacher (who assigned be homework on her FIRST day,) two nurses, and now a scientist who wears high heeled high leather boots. This could be really interesting.
As Jen indicated there are several types of PsA a couple donāt do much damage long term. The problem is the slight majority of us donāt have those types. We just donāt know which type we have until its too late. Anyone with a passing knowledge of statsitics just nod and laugh when someone has little progession or fewer symptoms because odf some natural cure. There is a good chance they donāt have the bad types of Psa Few of us would ever play Russian roulette even fewer would play with three of the six chambers loaded with bullets. But thats what people do with PsA every day depending on natural cures or no medsā¦ Medical Treatment works 90% of the time.
Hi, I've had PsA for about 5 years but was only diagnosed last year. This year I had what I would consider a severe flare up when a lot of new pain in new areas started. At the same time, my psoriasis was flaring up too. My Rheumy was hearing from me a lot. Before this, it was pretty stable. Last year before I started to see my current Rheumy, I had noticed pain radiating into my hand, stemming from the finger where it all started. It appears there are small breaks in it's progress. I've had a lot of stress at work this year so I'm pretty sure that contributed to the flare up.
I'm thankful I didn't have this in my younger years. That's the only good thing is that it waited until I was older. I hope those details from my experience help you a little.
Without aggresive treatment I don't know where I would be. It was aggresive enough that I was nesrl totally disabled. There was a time when the spodylitis family of diseases were referred to as young white mans disease. The progression seems to stop at some point for most. Doen't mean the disease goes awyay. The biologicals have made that possible much earlier for most of us. I'm sorry I can't tell you what you are really asking. Everybodies disease is different.
Kellr84 said:
Lamb, I remember us chatting one day about my symptoms and you noted you have the spondylitic PsA like I do... Is that one of the types of PsA that is more progressive in your experience? My back has been a major problem of mine for years and I am starting to wonder if it was the PsA all this time...given that I'm young and fairly healthy and active otherwise br/>
tntlamb said:Just a quick personal note in regards to the new mods around here. We have a teacher (who assigned be homework on her FIRST day,) two nurses, and now a scientist who wears high heeled high leather boots. This could be really interesting.
As Jen indicated there are several types of PsA a couple don't do much damage long term. The problem is the slight majority of us don't have those types. We just don't know which type we have until its too late. Anyone with a passing knowledge of statsitics just nod and laugh when someone has little progession or fewer symptoms because odf some natural cure. There is a good chance they don't have the bad types of Psa Few of us would ever play Russian roulette even fewer would play with three of the six chambers loaded with bullets. But thats what people do with PsA every day depending on natural cures or no meds........ Medical Treatment works 90% of the time.
Thanks for reminding me Lamb. Even with the knowledge I have and the research Iāve readā¦Ive been weighing up the pros and cons of going on to a biologic now or delaying for a bit longer. Your Russian roulette comment has reminded me to not be so bloody stupid!
Louise, you know my story. Hereās the thing. It can take several (minimum three) months to know whether a treatment is working. And you might need to try more than one to find a good āfitā. In twelve months, my hips went from mild/moderate to shot beyond redemption. Do the math.
If you are wondering whether to go aggressive, you need to do it.
JMHO
Yep Seenie I know its right what you sayā¦maybe I have been feeling so well and people keep telling me I look good that I sort of believed the hype.
But considering Iāve been very tired this week, 2 Previously unaffected DIP joints on my left hand and 1 on my right are painful and the area where I have bone marrow oedema in my spine is throbbingā¦I need to take my medicine! See my Rheumatologist on the 13th
Its a good thing there was no internet during my early days with this disease. Between several diets, supplements, "belts" accu-pressure, etc etc. I was cured multiple times. (I am still convinced the three weeks I spent in the Greek Isles is a possible cure if I could do it on a permanent basis) I would probably have written it all up an been seriously promoting it.
I like that cure! (just cannot afford it)
tntlamb said:
Its a good thing there was no internet during my early days with this disease. Between several diets, supplements, "belts" accu-pressure, etc etc. I was cured multiple times. (I am still convinced the three weeks I spent in the Greek Isles is a possible cure if I could do it on a permanent basis) I would probably have written it all up an been seriously promoting it.
Iāve booked a week in Tenerife in early October with an old school friendā¦its all inclusive, 4 pools, 700m to the beach and promenade. We plan to relax, wander around the resort and swimā¦If I feel better Iāll see if it can be prescribed
Sounds good. Wonder if insurance would cover it? LOL!
Iām in the UK so its all down to the NHS resourcesā¦donāt think so some how lol
I've been really blessed. I started having pain in my late 20's early 30's and diagnoised in my 30's with no apparent psoriasis. A few flares a year so I was able to live a very active life and I'm super thankful for that! Currently I'm progressing so I'm assuming I was in a remission of a sort for the many years I had. Now I'm 41 and the daily pain has intensified however I have started MTX and it has cleared the most of the PP psoriasis on my hands and foot (just appeared spring of this year) and I haven't had a brutal flare. I'm showing some signs of joint change in my hands and feet and that has happened only over the last few months so that seems fast for me. I have good and bad days and am finding you can I plan one day at a time as I never know what tomorrow will bring. I guess the term living in the moment really does apply :-)
I've heard the dead sea has helped many! My husband and I plan on going to Greece as his great Uncle Chester has a memorial there from the war.
tntlamb said:
Its a good thing there was no internet during my early days with this disease. Between several diets, supplements, "belts" accu-pressure, etc etc. I was cured multiple times. (I am still convinced the three weeks I spent in the Greek Isles is a possible cure if I could do it on a permanent basis) I would probably have written it all up an been seriously promoting it.
The Dead Sea would be worth a try. Wonder if floating in Mono Lake would do any good? I used to go to the natural hot springs in the Mammoth area and they sure do wonders for aches and pains.
I read every word you all say, over and over. I am so sad to hear that so many of you were diagnosed at such young ages. I am actually very old to be recently diagnosed as all the literature says between the ages of 30-50 and I am a good deal older than that, with plaque psoriasis for 5 years in only a 5 random locations. Age being only a number, it sucks.
I think early diagnosis may also play a big part in how quickly the disease can progress. I apparently only have a mild case in all my joints, which is why, I guess, that what I eat plays such a huge part in me feeling as well as I do. And that's a fact. Guess I'm just lucky....so far (three years).
So glad to hear that you feel better by what you eat. Donāt confuse that with slowing disease progression though - thatās a different issue, and you only have to ask some of the people on this board to understand that managing ok without meds (and having quite manageable levels of pain), does not mean there isnāt terrible damage being done to your joints. I canāt quite remember the number of joint replacements Seenie is up to, but she is a case in point (hope you donāt mind me dobbing you in Seenie! 
I think early diagnosis may also play a big part in how quickly the disease can progress. I apparently only have a mild case in all my joints, which is why, I guess, that what I eat plays such a huge part in me feeling as well as I do. And that's a fact. Guess I'm just lucky....so far (three years).
Thanks, Jen: But I don't think I am confusing the issue. I'm convinced that diet plays a part in slowing down the disease progression, and there's plenty of emerging science to back that up. I take meds..low doses admittedly, but I sure feel the pain when I eat badly for any period of time. As I say, I probably have a mild case...so far...which is why diet is helping me. I'm sterngth training heavier loads than ever before and my flexibilty is better than it has ever been, too. So as yet, I don't seem to be getting any real joint damage....but I'm sure it will become an issue as I get older. But if i don't eat right, put on weight...don't stretch for sure the progression will be quicker....and that's my point. I AM slowing it down in my opinion.