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[Charlotte M]

Thank you everyone.
I find that you have to have a good sense of humor to get through the day.
My knees were particularly painful last week and I had my 5 year old son say 'Mummy, you need a walking stick'
He did help me up the stairs though so got to give him some credit.

I am due to see my dermatologist in March so I will ask him about all the things you have suggested. Thank you. My skin isn't too bad at the moment. Feel like a minstrel but have been covering my hands in Aveeno at night and wearing cotton gloves. I look like a right wally but if it helps...

Charlotte

[jiml]

Hi again Charlotte you say you have an appointment in March for a dermatologist.... Can I suggest you go back to your GP and explain about your psoriatic arthritis and get him to change the appointment to a rheumatologist because if it is PSA you have....a rheumatologist will put you on either a biological drug or Fumaderm but the longer it goes untreated the more damage is being done to your joints .... If it's causing you this much trouble go and make a nuisance of yourself ..... You really need something before March
In my opinion and pain killers will just mask the damage as it occurs .. I'm not trying to scare you just offer the best advice I can
Jim

[Fred]

Hi again Charlotte you say you have an appointment in March for a dermatologist.... Can I suggest you go back to your GP and explain about your psoriatic arthritis and get him to change the appointment to a rheumatologist because if it is PSA you have....a rheumatologist will put you on either a biological drug or Fumaderm but the longer it goes untreated the more damage is being done to your joints .... If it's causing you this much trouble go and make a nuisance of yourself ..... You really need something before March
In my opinion and pain killers will just mask the damage as it occurs .. I'm not trying to scare you just offer the best advice I can
Jim

Jim I think they go they same way in the UK as they do here, and Psoriatic Arthritis is still dealt with by a Dermatologist. They may refer you afterwards but I've only ever been once and can only get Stelara prescribed from my dermatologist as it was with all the Bio's.

[Caroline]

Hi again Charlotte you say you have an appointment in March for a dermatologist.... Can I suggest you go back to your GP and explain about your psoriatic arthritis and get him to change the appointment to a rheumatologist because if it is PSA you have....a rheumatologist will put you on either a biological drug or Fumaderm but the longer it goes untreated the more damage is being done to your joints .... If it's causing you this much trouble go and make a nuisance of yourself ..... You really need something before March
In my opinion and pain killers will just mask the damage as it occurs .. I'm not trying to scare you just offer the best advice I can
Jim

Jim I think they go they same way in the UK as they do here, and Psoriatic Arthritis is still dealt with by a Dermatologist. They may refer you afterwards but I've only ever been once and can only get Stelara prescribed from my dermatologist as it was with all the Bio's.

Doesn't have to be so Fred. At least over here in NL you end up with a rheumatologist with PsA. Basically where it belongs as it is an auto-immune disease. Over here a rheumatologist would/could prescribe Stelara or other Bio's.
The only stupid thing is that they will not prescribe DMF, because they don't know of it (why the hell did they study for?). And if they meet with a dermatologist and the word psorisasis falls, they will get on an ownership fight until they are both totally beaten up by each other. Strange birds these ....ologists...

[Fred]

Doesn't have to be so Fred. At least over here in NL you end up with a rheumatologist with PsA. Basically where it belongs as it is an auto-immune disease. Over here a rheumatologist would/could prescribe Stelara or other Bio's.
The only stupid thing is that they will not prescribe DMF, because they don't know of it (why the hell did they study for?). And if they meet with a dermatologist and the word psorisasis falls, they will get on an ownership fight until they are both totally beaten up by each other.    Strange birds these ....ologists...  

Well let's not confuse Charlotte to much, she will have to see the way they work in her part of the UK.

[jiml]

I was asked on a previous visit if I had joint pain and if I did they... The Dermotolgists would pass me to rheumatology.... So perhaps things have changed .... I don't know because I don't have joint pain

[Charlotte M]

Hello again.
I do see a rheumatologist too but just not as often.
Actually I have an appointment in February (just checked my diary!) That's who prescribed the methotrexate to me. Now i've stopped taking that, it seems they don't know what to do with me. Apart from talk about pain management.
It was actually my GP that I had to beg to refer me to a dermatologist a few years ago as he thought my psoriasis was under control. He wouldn't do it though.
I got to see the dermatologist because the rheumatologist referred me.
All very complicated

Thanks for all your suggestions

[Fred]

Actually I have an appointment in February (just checked my diary!) That's who prescribed the methotrexate to me. Now i've stopped taking that, it seems they don't know what to do with me. Apart from talk about pain management.

That's the same as I got here, Methotrexate or go.

[mataribot]

Actually I have an appointment in February (just checked my diary!) That's who prescribed the methotrexate to me. Now i've stopped taking that, it seems they don't know what to do with me. Apart from talk about pain management.

That's the same as I got here, Methotrexate or go.

Same thing you get in the states. MTX or there is the door.

[Caroline]

Hello again.
I do see a rheumatologist too but just not as often.
Actually I have an appointment in February (just checked my diary!) That's who prescribed the methotrexate to me. Now i've stopped taking that, it seems they don't know what to do with me. Apart from talk about pain management.
It was actually my GP that I had to beg to refer me to a dermatologist a few years ago as he thought my psoriasis was under control. He wouldn't do it though.
I got to see the dermatologist because the rheumatologist referred me.
All very complicated

Thanks for all your suggestions

Hi Charlotte,

The same happened in a way to me.
Strangely enough the rheumatologists did not know what to do. However there were already biologicals.
Later I mentioned DMF to him. He knew it, but did not want to prescribe it.   If I ever see the guy ever again, I certainly will kick his   **lls.

There seems to be an enormous lack of know how with the rheumatologists (but also with the dermatologists), which is at the same time enhanced by the short sighted insurance companies, as they will have to pay for everything that will happen to you when you don't get a good medication.
I hate that, as we all are paying for a great deal for the education of all these doktors. So they should be able to help us, because we have paid for them.

Caroline