I was told By My Rhemmy Dr, Just about a year to the Date I have PsA, I am 53 years old, and I have been on Humria 40 MG Twice a Month, and Metho 10 Pills all at once On Thursday's. I know that I have Changed as far as Energy Levels, Temper, I use to be so Laid Back, and Now I have flowen off and Certain things, I was called into the Bosses Office and was asked what was My problem, He said you have Changed, I told him I hurt, My Wife has Noticed as well. About 3 months ago I punched the Vacum Cleaner, and Had to have stiches in 2 of my Fingers, Its all Because I hurt and Can Not do things like I use to do, Energy Level Is Gone, I do Not sleep anymore, even though I say I have no energy, My Favorite Position is In my Recliner, with Ice Packs on my ankles.I started on some Pain Med's after not taking it as My Rhemmy Dr. Kept writting me Scripts, I just never got them Filled, I do Now and at 1st they seemed to help some, But Now Not as Much, she said they were the Weakest 1's, Do I ask for stronger Med's, I hate to ask I do Not want to be Labled as a Pill seaker? I have 1 Joint in my Left Hand the Knuckle of the Pointer Finger It Hurts None stop, Nothing stops the Pain, and at some times The Joint is so large, Now the Whole finger Is deformed, Now I am Getting that feeling in the same Finger Other Hand. Now for My Lower Back, It Hurts But somedays its Decent, I do try and stay as Busy as Possible, Because when I sit Down I swell, and stinfen up. I have Had to shots In my Back and Can only Have 1 more this year, So I am trying to Hold Off, Till later in the year, I think I fill Better in the warm weather, But not a Hole Lot, I see My Rhemmy Dr.Monday, And I have alot to ask her, why the Humria seemed to work and Now it seems to do Not as Much? but I did stop it on my own 1 week and Oh My God Did I hurt, So I told My wife it is doing Something. Ok Back to The topic(I have Changed) She My Rhemmy Dr, Wanted to put me on Some Med to help with my Temp, depression? Does that stuff help, Well I had to ramble alittle as I sometime fill Like unless you Have this Diesae, You really do not know How we are feeling (RIGHT)
Have you asked your Dr to ask if any of your meds could be causing side effects with your temper and in particular the injections if they were steroids. There are many things you can do that might help you. Meds for depression can help, but in my opinion they will only work if you can get some counselling/therapy to help you to be able to accept that your life is now forever changed and to help you get through the adjustments that you may have to make to be able to cope. There is physio T and massage or an Osteopath that might help. Going to a heated pool and gentle exercise might help. Pain Management training and eliminating the foods that are known to aggravate inflammation. Hope these things might help!
I didn't even think about med side effects. I was just thinking that pain alone can alter a person, and can lead into depression. It's not uncommon for men in particular to appear angry when they are in depressed.
Hi Splinter 2. My first thought when I read your post is, do you feel your rheumatologist listens to you. I am newer to this disease than you are (diagnosed 3 months ago) and I feel it is very important to have a good relationship with your rheumatologist. I know what it is like to be in pain, as I feel a lot of people in this situation do. But it sounds like you are having more than your share. I do feel you really need to let your rheumatologist know all of these things. Have you tried any other biologic other than the Humira? Maybe you should be taking it once a week rather than every 2 weeks. I am currently on Enbrel, Naproxen, famotadine and a half of a prednisone. Doctor initially tried me on methotrexate for six weeks but I could not tolerate it. I do feel with your degree of pain you do have cause to be depressed. I feel your rheumatologist either needs to refer you to the proper channels or prescribe something different/additional to help with all of the problems you are having. You are too young to be suffering like you are. What exactly are you taking for pain? This is a painful disease and as long as you are taking the meds and filling/refilling as prescribed, you will not be considered a "medication seeker." Tramadol does seem to help a lot of people. Just thought I would let you know there are people who care what you are going through. Good luck. Let us know what you find out. Be honest with your rheumatologist. Make notes about how you are feeling or any concerns you may have and take them with you on your next appointment. I know they have come a long way with meds for psoriatic arthritis and are coming out soon with new ones. I truly hope you feel better. DEB
My ability to handle stress in the form of people and situations seems to have decreased a lot as the pain has increased. It is such a bummer to me since I work in an environment that requires a lot of patience (as most peoIt could be the cortisone injections and the DMARDs that I have tried bc they all have made me feel “sick” on top of the pain from PsA!
To your original question, yes the meds your Doc was referring to help. For some people the do much more than help. Stress, depression, ananer etc all stimulte a number of different biochemical productions in the body. Sadly these are the same chemicals that cause pain and inflammation ie all the things that make PsA what it is.
Put another way the way you have changed could be causing you not to be able to do the things you do. Suddenly you have become a dog chasing its tail. Try it, you have nothing to lose........ I wouldn't BS anyone who can cold cock a vacuum cleaner. Hope it was a bagless............