Not using medication for arthritis psoriatica unwise?
I have a question about AP and the use of medication:
I was diagnosed with arthritis psoriatica by a rheumatologist a while ago. The evidence was not overwhelming, but based on a visual inspection of my finger joints, the diagnosis was made. X-rays of the fingers and hip and MRI of the jaw showed no abnormalities.
It was then decided not to start medication (methotrexate) yet. This would be reviewed at a follow-up appointment.
This follow-up appointment never happened. I spent a long time abroad, and because of the healthcare system in the Netherlands, a simple consultation with a rheumatologist costs me over $650.
I have now read several reports that it is advisable to start medication in good time in order to prevent further damage. However, I hardly have any symptoms, through good nutrition (100% plantbased, as little sugar, salt and fat as possible) the symptoms in my fingers have even decreased. I only feel them now when I bump into something with my fingers.
I am looking for someone who has experience with arthritis psoriatica and medication and can advise me whether it is advisable to start medication in the situation I have described, also taking into account the possible side effects.
Hi
. That's a tough decision and, often, a personal one. The medications for psoriatic arthritis can slow the progression of the disease and reduce pain, but it can also take lots of trial and error to find the medication that is most effective for and, for some people, those medications can have serious side effects. So, it is really important to educate yourself about the disease and the treatments and to make a decision in consultation with your doctor. Here is an article about the various treatments for PsA that might interest you: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/treatment. I hope this helps and that you come to a decision that gives you confidence. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member) Hi
. That's a tough decision and, often, a personal one. The medications for psoriatic arthritis can slow the progression of the disease and reduce pain, but it can also take lots of trial and error to find the medication that is most effective for and, for some people, those medications can have serious side effects. So, it is really important to educate yourself about the disease and the treatments and to make a decision in consultation with your doctor. Here is an article about the various treatments for PsA that might interest you: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/treatment. I hope this helps and that you come to a decision that gives you confidence. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
Hi, thank you so much for your feedback. I am actually glad to hear that it is not so straightforward. Not taking medication can potentially be harmful, but taking medication can be equally harmful, although in a different way. I will definitely educate myself more before taking a decision on this.
Thanks again,
ArthurSorry, also forgot to say. I do not believe in medication as a long time solution and I know of people who have never taken it and successfully lived with Psoarisis Arthritis without having major damage to their joints. So I would say, if you are fine with nutrition for now, I wouldn't take it. The root of the problem lies in gut health, even school medicine is slowly arriving at this solution. For me medication isn't an option anyways since it is creating more pain than good in my body. Kind regars, Sabine
We are absolutely on the same page here. Good to hear about people that can deal with this without taking medication. I aim to be in that category.
It is my experience that doctors do not consider nutrition to be a proper treatment or (part of a) solution , it is hardly considered or even discussed. So I am doing my own research.
Totally my opinion of course but I tend to look at it another way after years of this disease. PSA is harmful and progressive not potentially. Medications *may* have side effects that can be harmful but these are potentially an issue and many people do not experience side effects
Obviously I am pro medication. I often read people say they don't want to take medication...well, I don't want to have PSA but here we are. Even a bottle of Tylenol has side effects.
FWIW, I wear wrist splints at night and when driving due to wrist and hand pain. I wear rings on my middle fingers to prevent Swan Neck deformity and splints on my little fingers at night to prevent Boutenniere's Deformity. I exercise, stretch, eat healthy, rest, and try hard to sleep well to look after myself but I take meds to slow down progression. Yes, I have had side effects to some - I've tried a few to find one that will work for awhile.
Before I jump off my soap box, I'll just add that most meds seem to take 3-4 months to kick in so even when one decides to go on meds there is that lag time. Now add changing meds to one that might work better, another 3-4 months. I have been on 6 different meds, which means over that last 10+ years I've had approximately 18-24 months of no real treatment waiting for them to kick in, more as they haven't all worked. In other words, even as I was seeking treatment I wasn't always getting benefit from it and PSA was progressing. Some people have to wait longer for approval of different meds depending on where they live as well.
And meds aren't a magic pill - there is still pain and stiffness, etc. but it improves significantly if you find one that works...until it doesn't. It's slowing that progression that's huge - I want to keep being able to move.
Just some food for thought.Hi
. That is a very personal decision and one that we are not qualified to advise you on, since we are not medical experts. I will say that the medications for PsA can have some serious side effects and that it can also become less effective over time for some people. If you are not having a lot of progression or pain, you are in a very different position than someone who is severely effected. Have you discussed medication with your doctor? We do have some advocates who do not medicate either because they are allergic or because they have not really benefitted from them. Here is a wonderful article from one of those advocates about natural pain relief: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/natural-pain-relief?fbclid=IwAR3ugVOCbesKWoNfmw5icnoeI_BtMv5L9w9WnUIt98VeYR85NJ1fKx4JbzQ&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=organic. I thought you might appreciate it. Best wishes! - Lori (Team Member) You raise a very valid point,
. Medication can have tremendous benefits. It can be lifechanging for some people, allowing them to live their lives fully again. But what helps one person doesn't help another. For some people, medications that are designed to slow the progression of the disease have little impact or none at all. Others who have mild cases of PsA might find the side effects are worse than the disease itself. They might choose to delay medication until the benefits outweigh the risks and the side effects. It's really a personal decision that should be made with input from a doctor. Thanks for weighing on this. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
