Psoriatic arthritis self help?

[birdinatree]

Evening, I'm in the third month of a pretty harsh flare up and it's looking like I may have to move on from sulphasalazine to methotrexate.
I'd really rather not take this path, anyone had any experience with any new treatments that have worked/benefits from supplements etc? I've tried changes to diet/supplements in the past to no effect but am willing to try again if it helps!
Thank you.

I have psa and tried for over a year with diet, alternative therapies including acupuncture, hydrotherapy etc etc. Tried Methotrexate but couldn’t tolerate it and now I’m on a biologic, Humira. It’s a life-changer - zero symptoms, zero side-effects. More targeted than Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine - I think you have to ‘fail’ on each of these to qualify for a biologic though as they are v expensive. I wish I could say I did it through diet but I can’t 🤷🏻‍♀️

Can't help with alternative treatments (tried many over the years but none have really helped) but for me (have RA) moving from sulphasalazine to methotrexate was fab, and made a really massive difference to my disease. I generally had very few problems with MTX and side effects and it worked really well on its own until I stopped to have a baby and then restarted, it then wasn't as effective so I now take it in combination with Humira.

Wow, that sounds amazing! Are there any long term issues with it? I'm heading to my mid forties so am worried about the effects of being on these medications for the rest of my life (which I'm currently presuming will be at least another 30years!)

I have just been diagnosed ( never heard of it before) I am breast feeding so they have given me a steroid injection but have said they want to start me on methotrexate once I stop feeding. I really don't want to go on it, as my mum was on it so I know all the long term side effects it could have, I am keen to know any other avenues also, so will be watching this thread closely. I am currently having a flare up and it has taken nearly 4 weeks to arrange my steroid injection between my specialist and my GP, still waiting and struggling terribly with my 10 month old, not a happy bunny currently.

I have RA and am on sulphalazine currently in a bad flare up even the steroid injections aren't working. I was on methotrexate but suffered very badly from side effects felling sick, dizzy, went off food and felt generally unwell. I picked up any bugs going around due to lack of immune system, but I would say it's worth a try. Some people get side effects and others don't. Don't know until you try it. Maybe speak to consultant and see if there are any other choices before you move to it. There are other medications but they can advise best.

DH has psa and was offered to trial Humira 10+ years ago. He’s been on it since then and is managing day to day life well. No changes to his diet or alternate natural treatments. He still has wear n tear to certain joints due to earlier deterioration but is largely pain free and has no flare-ups or the other sundry symptoms like the iritis he used to get.

Hi. I have PSA and been on methotrexate for 5 months now. It has helped my joints quite a bit but my side effect is crushing fatigue - can't get out of bed a few days a week. Hoping to try something else soon. If I have a week off I feel energetic but the pain starts back within about 5 days ☹️

I was diagnosed with RA at 19 so have been on DMARDs 20 years now, Humira & Mtx combined for nearly 10years of that.
I had a bit of nausea when starting MTX and when I've had doses increased.
Only side effect of Humira has been a slight susceptibility to sinus infections and ear infections (but these are often easily and quickly tackled with antibiotics - I just need to remember to go and get them), I also developed an allergy to pineapple after starting it but who knows if this was the meds or just one of those things.
Just be aware that meds for life may mean tinkering with those meds for the rest of your life. Although I have had periods of great stability I have had to adjust them a few times as they have become less effective / disease has progressed.

Thanks for your feedback everyone, I guess I have been lucky for the last few years with no major flare ups and had gotten complacent about having this - will see what the doc says in July. I took a while to get used to the sulphasalzine and am generally sensitive to medication so worry about going through that again - I already feel exhausted and brain fogged a lot of the time (although that may be due to wrangling a toddler and stressful work). I guess as PP have said it depends on the individual .
I'm going to give fish oil/ joint supplements and turmeric a go again and maybe some probiotics.
What I actually need is to go and live a laid back life in sunnier climes - I'm sure that would help!

I have PsA and take sulfasalazine and MTX. Was fine on oral MTX up to 20mg when I had nausea for 3 days so moved onto sub cut and have been fine. I was diagnosed at 40 and the disease in my hands and wrist meant I was struggling at work, with possibly another 30 years to work i had no issues with taking it.

I am only 36 and I am worried of the long term side effects of taking MTX for the next 50 yrs. I have spoken with the doc who is happy to give me a 3rd steroid injection while I am still feeding my baby rather than raking MTX. She fully understood my concerns and has asked me to look into the alternative which is less harsh, but she fears with how quickly the steroid us wearing off with me his may not be string enough for me, so then it will be looking again at something other than Methatrexate

bourbonbiccy I completely get the worry but my consultant (who is rather sensible & practical minded) pointed out that tackling the disease hard and early on with 'harsh' drugs like has meant a massive drop in joint damage and long term disability in patients & has meant that life expectancy isn't as poor as it used to be with these diseases - you don't just see as many people who are as completely crippled as there used to be and she says that's due to a change in treatment protocol of not waiting until damage was done to treat but to try to avoid damage in the first place.
I have over 20yrs of properly monitored use & not had any irreversible problems - I know this is anecdotal.
Yes they are harsh horrible treatments, which we should consider carefully and monitor but they are horrible debilitating diseases which can wreck damage on our bodies when left unchecked.
MTX has been around a relatively long time so it's long term effects are better known than a lot and it's one of the drugs that is consistently effective.
I have RA so I don't know how much this applies to PA but it might be worth considering and discussing with your dr.

I agree with wonky, it's not so much about your disease now. It's about stopping disease progression as much as possible.

Google SIGN Guideline 121. Published in Scotland. Concerns diagnosis & treatment but may be of more general interest. Look out for reviews - original guideline dates from 2010.

I know exactly what you both mean. My mum had RA and was MTX and ur helped her massively but she also had side effects from it. This is why I am so conflicted on what to do, I know I need to act sooner rather than later to protect myself from deteriorating but I have had so much conflicting advice and read research that I am just worried of the damage it does.

I was on methotrexate for 2years and recently diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, cervical spondylitis amongst other joint problems, hands, fingers, elbows, knees. Doctors supplemented with sulzapozin (can't spell it).

I had really bad side effects with methotrexate..came off everything about a month ago in preparation for Humira. My pain is unbearable, no sleep, extreme fatigue and have been out of work for three weeks and psoriasis has exploded... I'm at the end of my tether.
Finally had my first humira injection today so I am hopeful that I will start to improve soon...