I was diagnosed a couple weeks ago with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I’m just beginning my journey to learn what this means for me. So far I don’t have joint damage, just swelling in my fingers and rash on my elbows that come and go.
My doctor gave me a prescription for mobic but after reading the side effects, I haven’t taken it yet.
I was also diagnosed with lyme disease, bartonella and babesia. I believe the Lyme triggered the psoriasis and arthritis. I would really like to hear from others who also have lyme to help me understand their experience with treating lyme and this autoimmune disease. It’s my understanding that immunosuppressants can cause the Lyme to get worse. How can you treat both diseases if this is the case?
I am interested in natural treatments and would appreciate any information. Are there any success stories in getting this into remission?
I hope everyone dealing with this illness is finding relief.
Hi Vicki, I was also diagnosed a few weeks ago and this support group has been a life saver! I am still learning about this auto immune disease as well. Blessings to you!
Hi Vicki. I’m new here too. Only 3 weeks since diagnosis, and on MTX (Methyltrexate). The lovely folk on this forum are so helpful, and don’t even mind our ‘stupid’ questions. Good luck on your journey
Welcome to the group Vicki! There is a forum here about alternative treatments, and you can spend some time reviewing information available there. Personally, I would not suggest relying only on natural treatments, but instead using them to support conventional treatment. Once damage happens, it's not going to go away.
You'll need to talk to your rheumatologist about the concerns regarding immunosuppressants. Excellent point.
I asked my rheumy point blank about remission. She said that 10% of people will have a remission towards the beginning, and made clear to me not to expect one (this was 4 years post diagnosis). Definitely work towards remission, but understand that it is not particularly common.
Welcome Vicki. I've had PsA and Psoriasis for years, but just recently found this board. The folks here are really great. They give support when needed; and more importantly a loving, gentle kick in the butt when needed as well. When you need to vent, do so. People here really do understand everything you are going through.
There are lots of books about Native American herbal remedies available at barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com. Herbal and natural remedies are terrific for side effects, but as stated above by Stoney....I wouldn't recommend relying on them alone. Make sure you let you your doctors know that you are taking natural remedies as well - and what they are!!!!! They are unlikely to get you into remission, and this disease is too dangerous to allow it to run amok in your system unchecked. Sounds like you need a team of doctors including a Rheumatologist and a doc for the Lyme. Preferably, a team that will work together instead of at cross purposes. A lot of teaching hospitals will put together a team that work closely together to do what is necessary for ALL of you.
Mobic (Meloxicam) is on the 5 dollar list at wal-mart go for a 90 day supply its the same price a 2-30 day supplies. Its pretty pricy otherwise. Its a COX 2 so supposedly has less gut problems. Its a pretty mild NSAID. (Its like aleve or ibuprofen) just with fewer side effects. I'm sure I've taken it as I rotate between all of the elcheapo NSAIDS (anything on the Walmart 5 dollar list) every 6 -9 months.I've never been much for the expensive ones - Celebrex etc..... (have never seen any difference) Mobic isn't one of the heavy hitter drugs. It in fact has fewer and milder side effects than OTC headache remedies (read the warning statements for those sometime)
Either you have Lymes or you don't. Don't buy into the websites talking about chronic Lymes that give you a lifetime of problems. They are right up there with leaky gut and nutritional sites. Its utter BS. (Ken Singleton is making a huge living off this stuff) Yes it could have set things off but only if you had PsA or Psoriasis to begin with. Reactive arthritis caused by lymes goes away. Lymes is a bacterial infection when once treated is gone. I assume you have had a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the lymes arthritis?? Until you do, you are wise to hold off on the more specifi arthritis drugs that will actually control the disease and damage. The immunosuppressants prescribed for PsA have an effect on a small portion of a specific part of the autoimmune system which is over active to begin with.
Not doubting that a bit Vicki. But I'm glad you have conventional testing. The reason I mentioned the PCR test is that its more specific to arthritis. Its a test of the fluid around your joints and the most dependable way of knowing whether your antibiotic therapy has worked. If that test is clear there should be no worry about proceeding with therapy for your PsA. Bartonella and Babesia which are coinfections to the actual B. burgdorferi complicates things but only a bit. How is your treatment coming???
This whole thing (PsA) is so full of quacks, quack cures, quack causes, its scary. So many newly diagnosed get pulled so many directions.... Sorry if I sound overly cynical.
I think you've already discovered what a great place this is and how much collective wisdom there is. Just reading the comments here, I see you've already gotten excellent advice!! Good luck as you move forward in your treatment. You'll hear it a lot but it bears repeating: fear the disease not the treatment. Yes, some drugs have side effects, but an untreated disease will eventually damage your joints. There's no going back from that. Cheers!!
I’m usually “better late than never” on the hello’s as I work like a maniac! I am so glad that you found us: this is such a frat group of people! Lamb is our resident PsA encyclopedia; a little like Google but with no ads.
His advice about having the PCR test is great. Once you are clear from Lyme and complete the treatment for the other bugs, you should be able to begin treatment for the PsA. Maybe not what you wanted to hear, but this disease and our bodies never seem to want to cooperate!
Mobic is a pretty good NSAID, as far as NSAIDs go. The side effects are much less than some of the others. It can provide some very good pain relief and you may find that you need it. Even though it is a safer drug, still use all of the caution you normally would with any NSAID: take it with a meal or snack, be careful not to exceed the prescribed dosing, call the doctor if you notice any increased bruising or bleeding, etc… I hope this helps some! Oh, I have taken it and had no issues. I take someone else now, that works better for me though.
If you need anything, just ask! We are here for you.
