Ilumetri for psoriatic arthritis Fred's journey

[Fred]

My guess it would be cheaper over the long haul to do the injection - you'll would probably get at least 8 weeks out of it. And to be honest, I don't get injections from my RA. I get them from OA, because of the same problem. RA will not listen.

Probably cheaper, but still makes you feel like a zombie and sick as a pig let alone the mood swings.

Nope I will never touch methotrexate again.

[mataribot]

I meant the steroid injection - since it's done in real time for the most part. It should last you 8 weeks. I am making the assumption that is what you want. MTX requires lab monitoring and eventually a liver biopsy. So over the long haul it the it would be cheaper for steroid and if you get on a bio that works, then it may be a long time before you have the worry about it.

I have had good luck with steroid injections (hope I did not curse myself).

[Caroline]

And there is the by now well known studie, at least with the psoriasisclub members, Methotrexate not working for Synovitis in psoriatic arthritis that shows that MTX makes no sense.
Only this study is apparently not known by most RA departments.

[Fred]

I meant the steroid injection - since it's done in real time for the most part. It should last you 8 weeks. I am making the assumption that is what you want. MTX requires lab monitoring and eventually a liver biopsy. So over the long haul it the it would be cheaper for steroid and if you get on a bio that works, then it may be a long time before you have the worry about it.

I have had good luck with steroid injections (hope I did not curse myself).

Sorry I misunderstood you. I'm trying to get the same thing they done with the fluid on my knee, they took 3 syringes of stuff out and injected one in and it was great. I'm hoping they will do the same with my ankle as it has been confirmed it is fluid but they are dragging their heels.

And there is the by now well known studie, at least with the psoriasisclub members, Methotrexate not working for Synovitis in psoriatic arthritis that shows that MTX makes no sense.
Only this study is apparently not known by most RA departments.

No they are not interested in facts, I've never had any luck with them and neither has Mrs Fred with osteoarthritis. Useless it too kind a word for them.

[Forest Walker]

You have a good dermatologist who listens and is helping you get the care you should from RA.  Who drained the fluid in the knee and injected the steroid?  Was that a bone doctor or the RA or a primary care doctor?

Is there a cap on how many steroid injections a person can get in a lifetime?  They have knee and hip replacements.  I guess they haven't figured out how to do ankle replacements, yet.  

When do you see the dermatologist again?  Is there anything she can offer that will help you until December?

[Fred]

You have a good dermatologist who listens and is helping you get the care you should from RA. 

Yes I'm lucky, we have known each other over 10 years and she is the top dermatologist now at the hospital so I'm in good hands.

Who drained the fluid in the knee and injected the steroid?  Was that a bone doctor or the RA or a primary care doctor?

It was rheumatology.

Is there a cap on how many steroid injections a person can get in a lifetime?  They have knee and hip replacements.  I guess they haven't figured out how to do ankle replacements, yet.  

I don't know, I've only ever had the one. But to be honest I don't know what it was they injected in the knee.

When do you see the dermatologist again?  Is there anything she can offer that will help you until December?

In 6 months time unless I get any problems. No there is nothing she can give me that I will take and I have to wait till the end of December before starting the new treatment as I had my last shot only a month ago.

I did try to get her to prescribe Merlot as it helps, but no luck there.

[mataribot]

I don't see why there would be any reason to not to do it. While there is probably a limit on how many he can have, I have had 2 injections into my foot and no one said anything yet. The great news for me is that my foot hasn't been an issue in years now. Fred just needs to get through December to get the new bio.

[Fred]

Fred just needs to get through December to get the new bio.

They will still need to do something about the ankle though as it's not psoriatic arthritis.

[mataribot]

It shouldn't matter if its PSA or OA since the removal of fluid and injection should do the same thing . I guess they can confirm and rule out anything else. I think it's dumb they are not even taking a look at it. I hope you get it looked at soon.

[Fred]

It shouldn't matter if its PSA or OA since the removal of fluid and injection should do the same thing . I guess they can confirm and rule out anything else. I think it's dumb they are not even taking a look at it. I hope you get it looked at soon.

Thank you Mata. I've seen three doctors, had ultrasound, x-rays and scans everyone confirmed it's fluid. The problem is getting the useless rheumatology do give me an appointment, they are not happy that I won't see them for psoriatic arthritis and probably have a red mark against my name.