Psoriatic Arthritis And Lupus
Did you know that these illnesses are related? I have family members who have Lupus, but I am the only one diagnosed with PsA. I saw a doctor who told me this information. He said you can have both at the same time. I find this very interesting.
Is there anyone out there that has Lupus, psoriatic arthritis, or psoriasis at the same time? I am very curious about this.
We would love to hear from you.
Having one autoimmune disease makes one much more likely to develop another. I have had Hashimoto's for over 20 years, and then was diagnosed with PsA around 2010. Oddly, it was only then that Hashimoto's was determined as the cause of my hypothyroidism, due to labs showing my peroxidase enzyme antibody count over 1,000.
Hello
, I agree with you. I have a niece who has at least 7. It's like she gets one and another one pops us. She's in her 30s and is always in the hospital. I just wish that one day we can find a cure for all these diseases. Do you have to take different medications for each illness that you have? Thanks for sharing.
Diane (Team Member)Hello
, I was put on Skyriza a couple of months ago. My psoriasis had covered over 80% of my body. In the first month, I got 2 infections, but they couldn't figure out if it was the methotrexate fighting the Skyrizi. They wanted me to stop the biologic, but I couldn't, I needed relief. Long story short, I stopped MTX, which was for my PsA. The pain is back with a vengeance. I just don't get it. So now my team of doctors has to figure out a new cocktail for me.
Do your doctors change your treatment plan often? Thanks for sharing some great information.
Diane (Team Member)Methotrexate is often prescribed along with a biologic in order to prevent/slow down the body's production of antibodies against the biologic. But in your case, you were already on MTX for the PsA, so your body's immune system really must've really crashed when you started Skyrizi. I was taken off of MTX years ago due to the number of infections I was getting, but also due to the fact that my rheumatologist felt my symptoms could be managed just as effectively with NSAIDs and occasional prednisone, and he was right, until a few years ago. In your shoes, I would speak to my doctors about starting me back on MTX, but at a lower dose. That, taken concurrently with Skyrizi should have some impact on your pain. My doctors work with me, and include me in the decision making process about my treatment plans. My rheumatologist will sometimes make suggestions, but he is also willing to listen to me, and go in the direction in which I feel we need to go in treatment. But, I'm also a special case, as I have always taken the time to study up on, and keep current on, this disease and the available treatment options.
Hello
, thanks for sharing so much information as always. Please don't mess with my caffeine. This is my downfall, but working on it. Were you able to give up caffeine? If so, how did you do this?
Diane (Team Member)
I am a coffee addict lol. I switched to decaf not of my own doing. I was dealing with an injury and my husband had to go to the store for me. He bought decaf (he's not a coffee drinker) so I had no choice but to use it. It wasn't as bad as what I thought decaf ever would be. I guess you explained why by saying it's not completely caffeine free. I did not know that. I now use decaf coffee. Vickie W., Team Member There are good decafs out there, but a majority of them suck. And far fewer good decaf teas. I began drinking rooibos, which is harvested from a South African shrub. It's totally caffeine free, and has a nice earthy flavor reminiscent of yerba mate (which has caffeine).
