Psoriatic Arthritis, need information

[HeinzSight]

from anyone that has it, or knows someone who does.

I'm worried my Dad may have this

My DH has it - and I know there are others on here too. What is it you are wanting to know?

My Dad has had terrible psoriasis for years now. Since December he's been suffering with increasinly stiff joints, especially his hands and feet. He's going for further tests today.

At the moment he's worried about the effect it's having on him and whether he's safe to drive, so he's not.

He's also really scared that he won't be able to work anymore.

I guess I want to know what it's like living with this condition and how it affects a person. Also treatments etc.

Thanks for replying janinlondon

I'm having a flare up just now and am bothered with it in my hands, feet and knees.
This cold wet weather does not help and I work outside mostly but getting some heat into the areas soothes it a bit.
I have heard that Devil's Claw can help although I have not taken it myself. Doctors tend to prescribe Ibuprofen.

Has your Dad spoken to his GP?

Yes, he's having further tests today, a blood test. But I gather that you can't diagnose this with a blood test, only rule out 'normal' arthritis.

Do you think that it will ease up a bit when the weather improves?

I have it - it comes and goes. I cope using diclofenac topped up with paracetemol. At its worst that isnt enough but its a big jump to the next level of drugs. If he does need them though, they can be very effective. When its controlled well (if thats what your Dad has) he should be much more comfortable and be able go back to a lot of his old life.

In between flares I can do loads (like boarding the loft!!!) but if I do too much it does provoke a flare (rather like now)

He ought to be aware that if he is diagnosed then he ought to talk to his optician as it can cause inflammation (very treatable) in the eyes.

Mine tends to be better when its warmer

I have Psoriasis, and there is a forum which is really helpful regarding different treatments etc. There is a section for Psoriatic arthritis. Just type Psoriasis help into google and it will come up. You can just lurk and read posts. There are some very experience people over there and have helped me out when I have flare ups over the years, I have been able to go to the GP better informed about treatments.

Thank you SpecialOffer and OYBBK and GentleOtter. It's funny isn't it, I've seen all of you around on MN, but you never know what people are going through.

I thank you again x

You are welcome - I hope your Dads appt goes well

Hadn't even clicked it was the same Heinzsight as in the Due Aug thread (I am so dim sometimes!!)

If it is of any consolation, it does not prevent me from doing things - I just drop stuff a lot and say bugger more than normal.
Roll on the warmer weather.

lol GentleOtter

that is soo true.

LOL @ special offer, from August!

also LOL @ GentleOtter

xxxx

Dh has this.
He was diagnosed in his 30's.
It is controlled at the moment with a cocktail of drugs. He still has difficulty with some things, but tends to find ways round it. He got an automatic car, as it was easier, he now scoops the children up with his wrists, not lifts them with his handsm things like that.
He still loves life!

DH has had it for years, and it is pretty much controlled by the drugs. He still works as a designer, skies, sails, and plays guitar. If they get the right cocktail life can still be good. There are some drugs to control the symptoms, others that are disease modifiers. The second set are a bit more serious. Will depend on the progress of the disorder. Mainly he will have to be monitored (ie: regular xrays and blood tests to check liver function etc), but he shouldn't panic. There are lots of people living fairly normal lives with it.

Have a look here

A colleague of mine has it and found these people very useful before she was diagnosed

That website's v helpful, thank you iwiwmo