Eye Trouble

By malpoddy

1 min read

I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis a few years ago now, mainly in my hands, but have aching elbow, joints, and knees and fatigue.

Changing psoriatic arthritis treatments

I have tried Arava (Leflunomide) which worked well, but unfortunately lowered my white blood cell count too low. Then tried Sulfasalazine, which made me end up within the hospital with the most agonizing headache that nothing touched. Now I am on Methotrexate, which since going on, I have been having dry eyes, which happen at night.

Side effects from treatments

Some nights, if I have to get up, I can barely open my eyes. They are so hard to open, dry, and scratchy. Constant lip ulcers and sunburn (even through 50+ cream) though now having success with zinc cream. My folate tablets were increased from 1 a week to 6 a week, which worked for a while with the lip ulcers, but back again after a couple of months. Now halved methotrexate dose and ulcers stopped again, but eye condition still happening. Just wondering if anyone else is having these issues with their medications?

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Jill.Brodie Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="malpoddy" user-id="3299021"/> thank you for sharing your story with us. Unfortunately, it usually takes a few different tries with medication, before finding one that is helpful. The majority of people we have heard from take methotrexate at night so they can sleep off the worst of the side effects. I am glad to hear the folic acid is helping with your mouth ulcers. While I hope you hear from members of our community with their personal experiences, I am sending you a forum discussion about various side effects our community has experienced: <a href='https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/forums/methotrexate-2' target='_blank'>https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/forums/methotrexate-2</a>. We are here for you and hope you can get some relief soon. Jill, Team Member
Lori.Foster Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="malpoddy" user-id="3299021"/> . My heart goes out to you. The medications you have mentioned are among the first doctors will try because they are relatively inexpensive and most insurance companies require that you try them first. If the side effects of methotrexate become too much and/or you find it's not making much of a difference, you might want to talk to your doctor about trying something new, possibly biologics. Biologics can be insanely expensive, but most drug companies have financial assistance programs that cover all or part of the cost. My brother earns a very good salary, but still has all of his copays covered for Enbrel. Here is an article that describes the various treatments for PsA: <a href='https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/treatment' target='_blank'>https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/treatment</a>. You can click on links within the article for more specific information. I hope this helps and that you get relief without so many side effects in the near future. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
Diane T Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="malpoddy" user-id="3299021"/> , just following up to see how you're doing? We are all thinking about you. Please let us know what is going on. We are all here for you. Diane, Team Member
malpoddy Member
Thank you Team members. I have gone back on methotrexate which has helped my hands but unfortunately I can feel the psoriatic arthritis has stepped up a notch in affecting more fingers. I ruled out that the metho was affecting my eyes as didnt change when I was off it, but now that I am back on, my eyes feel worse. Crazy. I am back to see my Rhemy in a couple of months and will ask about these other options. I thank you for your care <3