Psoriatic Arthritis

[Icantstopeatinglol]

Well after being told it wasn't arthritis I've now been told it is and waiting to start sulfasalazine (I think that's how it's spelt!). Any advice for self help? Along with medication of course....I know I need the drugs as its quickly getting worse.
Does swimming help? Any advice anyone??

[DuffyDuck]

So far, I had one flare-up of psoriasis arthritis, about 6 years ago. I went on a anti-inflammatory diet, have been taking Eskimo fish oil capsules since, and had one 3 week stint at the Dead Sea, which really really helped.
Nothing since, phew!

[Mockingcurl]

I have this. What is an anti inflammatory diet?

[Icantstopeatinglol]

Thanks for the replies, I've started cutting out some foods that can cause inflammation and I do feel better as in I don't feel bloated but if anything my joints are worse but I think I am in the middle of a bad flare up.
I'm starting yoga soon and going to go swimming to see how I feel after that....think it's going to be trial and error!
Wish I could travel to the Dead Sea, I'd be there in a flash! Just using the Dead Sea salt scrub for now lol!

[DuffyDuck]

chameleon Yes, I went to the rheumatologist - they suggested methotrexate, but I really wanted to avoid any systemic medications, so I booked a three-week stint at the dead sea instead.

I only had one finger affected, though - it looked like a sausage. I took ibuprofen and started on this anti-inflammatory diet, and the swelling went after about a week.

There is lots of information on the web on anti-inflammatory diet plans, here's one link: deflame.com/deflaming/diet/

[DuffyDuck]

Oh, and Epsom salt baths (or dead sea salt baths) help as well. There are also good treatment centres in Hungary and France - or Italy, especially when they have sulphuric water.

I suppose sulphur supplements might also be worth looking into...and I can really recommend trying to find a good naturopath if possible.

[MarcelineTheVampireQueen]

Yoga tai chi swimming and walking will be the best thing for you. The worst exercise you can do is none. There is no such thing as an arthritis diet, that is many people claim cutting out gluten or acidic or dairy food triggers a flare but there has been no clinical trial to prove this. The closet thing is a trial commissioned by arthritis uk in relation to supplements that have been proven to help. You can find this on their website.

Have ra since age of 4 and run self management courses so an well versed if you have any questions!