I haven't been on since last year (at least I think I haven't) mostly because I was (and still am) doing enough better that I wanted to live life as much as possible. Since then (last Friday actually) my daughter was born :):):):) and I am now down to just Humira, amytriptaline at night, and vitamin D. On rare occasions I might need a tramadol or two. Usually that only happens when I have played way to hard where before it was necessary just to function (along with prednisone, mobic, occasionally vicodin or percocet). I realized that while this group was great for helping me when I was having a lot of challenges, I hadn't really done much to give back to it. I'll be on a lot more regularly from now on :) Part of why I wanted to share this is to give those who's lives are being turned upside down and inside out a little hope that it can get better. Thanks for reading.
I am glad that you are feeling better and Congratulations on your daughter. Please share what changes you have made for this progress (i.e. diet, exercise, etc) I would love to hear if and how anything helps. I know there is no particular diet that will help but hearing what others have done and tried will help me to use better judgement in what I put into my body.
Thanks
The big key for me was getting on humira. My diet is pretty clean most of the time. I avoid processed foods as much ad possible and make my own version of things from fresh ingredients whenever possible. I try to spend as much time as I can with my family. I find ways to relax regularly. I noticed a correlation between stress and PsA symptoms so I am working on being a little less high-strung. I found a workout plan that works for me and I follow it fairly regularly. Hopefully this information helps. Please feel free to ask questions if you have them.
Congrats on the birth of your daughter, and thanks for updating the group.
Lots of good news from you! Glad you have your life back.
Ps how do you manage to be less highly strung? I’m trying but hints and tips welcome.
Congratulations on your success ! And thanks for sharing your healthy news with us !
Frances
Less highly strung…lots of little ways help for me. Some of these may draw a bit of criticism, but they work for me and less stress means less medication. With that said, here’s a quick list of some of the things that help me “loosen up” : Regular exercise (even if it’s minimal), a glass of port or a bottle of hard cider or other “beverage”, a pipe or a cigar on the front porch, playing with my kids, prayer, singing along to songs I know, cooking and baking (especially as a family), hanging out with my best friend, bike rides, and books. There are more, these are just the ones that popped into my mind first. The other thing that has been really helpful was gradually shifting my mindset to focusing on what really matters in my life as opposed to what society says matters. I’m not going to go into to much detail there because everybody is different, but I will pass on some advice a friend gave me that was VERY helpful to me personally: Slow down, life is not a race to the end. I left my job and started a business I can do part time so I can spend most of my time with my family. My wife has a good job as a physical therapist assistant and that allows me to be a stay at home dad who runs a business (very) part time. We decided to home school our son (feel free to insert your ire here at that choice if you wish, we’ve long since stopped caring what other people think about it) and that is primarily my job. We also simplified our lives a lot. My family has also been a big help in gently reminding me that it’s OK to just chill out for a bit.
Great tips. I am in a bad flare-up and we are making serious life decisions because of PSA: downsizing, job, school. It's good to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Once you start to downsize your life you may realize (as we did) that all you have gotten rid of is things that weren't really important. Here's a great example: getting rid of one car forces us to slow life down and go anywhere we go as a family. No more two car trips to family and friends where the kids have to decide if they want to ride home with mommy or daddy.
Great to hear you are doing so well 
We are looking at downsizing soon - I’ve actually had great success with Enbrel but if there’s one good thing to come of this disease (I can say that because I’m just about in remission), it’s certainly learning what’s important!
Great to hear from you, Bumble, and congratulations on the birth of your daughter! It’s so nice to hear that things are going well for you: it gives the rest of us hope too. Thank you for posting, and stay well.
Thanks. You too.