A Hello

[Kellie71]

Hello all,

A little ( not that little in truth ) introduction about myself. I have had Gout since my early 20's, which tied in nicely with developing Psoriasis, which was almost overnight in covering my scalp ( these were triggered I believe by the passing of both parents within a year of each other) was a good few years before I got that under control ( which is a slight understatement *wry smile*)

I was on the radar for Psoriatic Arthritis at least 6 years ago when my Rheumatologist mentioned it in a letter to my GP ( fortunately I have GP And specialist that send me a copy of all correspondence) No follow up... Until last year when it was followed up and diagnosed.

Diagnosed in September and treatment was Methotrexate, I did not take this until January this year.. this was just so I could research and get myself in the frame of mind to take this drug, highest dose was 17.5, and I was not going any higher, stopped in mid July to losing hair and frankly it not working. ( personally had a awful time on the drug) Because one has to fit a specific criteria for a biologic ( at my Rheumatologists in Kent) I have now been put on Sulphasalazine, which I have informed the Rheumatologist that this will be started at the end of this month.

My Introduction is now over and tea is much needed , Looking forward to contributing to the discussions on here . Kellie

[jiml]

Hi Kellie
A big to the forum. That's a very good introduction. Thanks for joining here you will find a small but friendly bunch of fellow sufferers who all have psoriasis in common and all striving to be rid of it, we share our pain and joy on here helping each other through successes and the odd drawback, I won't add more at the moment as I know you will have done your research on sulfasalazine.

I like you had problems with methotrexate and had to come off it
The sulfasalazine is supposed to be a good drug in the treatment of arthritis.
Good luck

I will be pleased to follow your progress
Jim

[Kellie71]

Good morning Jim, Always a touch nervous in introducing myself on a forum , been a good few years since I have- and so I thank you.

Oh I have indeed done some research, quite a lot, finding myself wondering if I will ever get myself in the frame of mind to take it *laughs*..

[jiml]

Well Kellie. There are many who enter a new phase of treatment with trepidation,
You are I'm sure going to get some advice on here that may help or try to steer you other ways
Absorb what's thrown at you and just do what feels right
Jim

[Kellie71]

Thank you Jim.

Oh I do indeed have a great deal of trepidation, that isn't an understatement .. but , I do know that I probably have to try at least this treatment, if only to get it out the way so to try another.

It does seem , slightly weird that you are given these drugs on a trail and error basis , and that there is no real knowledge that these drugs actually stop the degeneration of joints... she says pondering, and talking in third person

[jiml]

Oh I like your third person writing
But you are right about jumping through hoops to get to the right drug that will at least slow down the degeneration.
My views are well known on here, I would ask for a drug like mine that will if it works for you stop the damage and give you your life back to enjoy as others do, pain free....
Jim

[Fred]

Hello Kellie to Psoriasis Club.

Methotrexate: What can I say It's time they stopped dishing out poison to treat psoriasis.

Please do start your own thread in Prescribed Treatments For Psoriasis about your experinace with Sulphasalazine as it may help others, I have also found it's great to have your own thread so you can look back at it later.

As for you or any new member being a bit nervous in introducing yourself on Psoriasis Club, you don't need to be as I can asure you you will find a frendly bunch of people. Should you ever find otherwise on Psoriasis Club please do let me know as we are very proactive against cyberbullies, trolls, and spammers and I'm known for showing them the door followed by a large boot up the backside. (Which I enjoy doing by the way)

Enjoy your membership with us and please do join in, there are also other members only boards if you need to chill out. I'm the sensible one in [Group Specific]

Regards.

Fred.

[Kellie71]

@ Jim- I did ask for the Fumaderm, flat out no sadly. In fact I had narrowed the list of DMARD's down to 4, Fumaderm was top of the list. It was a rather weighted DMARD's as losing hair was not going to be continued.

@Fred, Hello Fred, Methotrexate was the single most, thinking of all the words I can and could use, I will stick with your comment of Poison.

I Will likely do that, I would like to be less cynical about the treatment prescribed, but am happy to share, and point out before I start the thread when I start the Sulphasalazine,that while it is an individual experience, it may help others.

Great to hear that any of the bullies, trolls etc are given short shrift, Not particularly tolerant of that myself.

Kellie

[jiml]

@ Jim- I did ask for the Fumaderm, flat out no sadly. In fact I had narrowed the list of DMARD's down to 4, Fumaderm was top of the list. It was a rather weighted DMARD's as losing hair was not going to be continued.


Kellie

I suppose there are treatments to go through in the repertoire of rheumatologists and they are working through the list.
At least you will have all the information you need on the alternatives....
This site is packed with threads on trials of most if not all of the recent research so carry on reading you will probably know more than the rheumatologist next time you visit him

However you must be positive and assume that Sulfasalazine will work for you I'm sure we all hope for that

[Caroline]

Hello all,

Diagnosed in September and treatment was Methotrexate, I did not take this until January this year.. this was just so I could research and get myself in the frame of mind to take this drug, highest dose was 17.5, and I was not going any higher, stopped in mid July to losing hair and frankly it not working. ( personally had a awful time on the drug) Because one has to fit a specific criteria for a biologic ( at my Rheumatologists in Kent) I have now been put on Sulphasalazine, which I have informed the Rheumatologist that this will be started at the end of this month.

My Introduction is now over and tea is much needed , Looking forward to contributing to the discussions on here . Kellie

Hello Kellie,
Thanks for your extensive introduction.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you will have a good time over here. Not only talking about psoriasis, but we also have lots of other subjects in the off-topics, where no-one is really sensible, even not the ones that claim they are.

Good of you to stop with MTX, it makes no sense.
We knew that already, take a look at this post Methotrexate no better than Placebo for Psoriatic Arhtritis which describes that MTX is about as effective as smarties against PsA.

With Fumaderm, or better the working substance Dimethylfumarate, you will have a 70% chance of success, BUT.... in the beginning you will have to live with the side effects that are very innocent, but sometimes a bit difficult to get used to.

Hope to hear more from you.

Caroline