Read one of movmctov posts about "running", and I would like to comment.
When I was first diagnosed a long time ago, I was adamant that I would get more in shape (lift weights, run the apartment stairs..ect..), if only to give muscle protection around my joints, and for a while all was good. But after a period of keeping fit and physical, I began to experience joint problems (elbow(s), knee(s), hip(s)). I had to stop certain activities, and wait for things to simmer down, and then I would get back at it. Unfortunately over time, I had permanently damaged some of my joints, like my elbow joints where I can not straighten my arms all the way...not that bad, but I lost some motion. So I had to stop the exercises that put pressure on my body, and began to swim. I believe that swimming is the best excursive for PA, although meditation helps, and also of late I have begun some Yoga. I'll give it a try.
All this started for me a long time ago, and the immunology concept (enberl for example) wasn't on the horizon. When I started Enbrel, I could do a lot of things I hadn't done for decades, like run, although for me, my legs bend okay, but not all the way. But I could run, however, the drugs like enbrel seem to ware off after several years. Some say because our bodies get resistant to the drug (s). Don't worry, they will continue to develop more better and effective drugs, enbrel is considered a weak drug in comparison to other immunology drugs on the market.
My point is this (hurray). You have to start thinking about the long term, and change some of your more active exercises that are more harder on your joints. I know runners who have no arthritis who end up with knee issues from running. There are other activities that you can do to keep in shape, help your mind and soul. DON'T stop running if you don't want to, but cutting down would be something to think about. You have only had this disease for a short time, and the damage it has done is probably minimal. With the proper drugs you will feel much better. Symptoms may become worse, but will subside. ITS JUST that you have to take care now, don't push too hard all the time. You have to take care of your body more now than ever before.
About Enbrel, great drug. I stared it on a pilot, and subsequently it was prescribed by my dermatologist. However, the drug is costly, (1000 bucks a shot) and I had to go through our Trillium program here in Canada to get it, and my history of psoriasis medications became a prerequisite that began with creams, UV light treatments, the severity of the psoriasis, and a medical check to make sure I didn't have the TB gene (if you do, you have to go for a couple months of treatment to get rid of it before you go on enbrel). I'm dont know how the drug programs work for self employed people in Movmctov's neck of the woods but for me, first I needed a doctor to acknowledge that I needed it, (rhumy or dermy,) and then the insurance comapny wanted to make sure I had tried all other avenues before going to this drug. If your psoriasis is under control, you may be better off with conventional drugs for now, unless you are really inhibited, and wait a little before going on the immunology stuff. The drug had a massive improvement on my psoriasis, which was my main concern, and why I went through my Dermy. The side effect was that it also had a massive effect on my arthritis. If you are, try not to get stressed out over getting Enbrel, its just a matter of whether you need it right now, as it sounds like your diagnosis is farly recent, and there are other medications that may take a little time to work. If you do need it, you will get it, if not don't panic, it just may take a little longer.
