Question for you guys...do any of you suffer from arthritis? I am 28 and was diagnosed with psoriasis about 7 years ago. I have a mild case and usually do well with topical medications. However, in the past year my dermatologist has noted that mine is getting much worse. So we decided to go to a more powerful treatment of Enbrel. It is an injectible med and he thinks it will really help me. However, when I went to get started on the Enbrel, I found out I had to wait. I had a positive TB test about 5 years ago and although I did not have TB (normal chest x rays, etc.) I have the germ for it in my body. The doctors think it was passed on to me from my mother at birth since she is the same way. Of course, once you have had a positive TB test, you will always test positive. The doctors I've seen (dermatolgist, infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist) all believe that I would never ever develop TB as I am a healthy individual and am younger. However, Enbrel is a medicine that suppresses your immune system. So before I can start the Enbrel I am having to take a INH medicine once a day for 9 months. This is supposed to kill the TB germ in my system so that it will not be a problem and become active TB when I start the Enbrel. However, since I started the INH medicine (which can have side effects on the liver...and I have a blood test every month to check my liver function...it has been normal so far and the doctors believe I'll be fine since I am younger and in good health) I have noticed a lot of pain in my joints, especially my feet. Sometimes I can barely walk if it is really cold or early in the morning. So I went to my dermatologist and he referred me to a rheumatologist. Turns out I have developed psoriatic arthritis. This is fairly common in people who have psoriasis and is just one of those things you have to deal with. However, since I am taking the INH, my doctors said that for the time being they cannot put me on anything for the arthritis. They even advise against taking pain medication unless I am in need really bad since it too can have side effects on the liver. They didn't want me doubling up on meds that could affect my liver. When I start the Enbrel (In June) it will help both my skin and the arthritis, but in the meantime, I'm just having to live with it. I thought I could deal with and manage, but the past few weeks have been so bad on me. I think it's the cold. I find I'm having more and more pain. It has really gotten me down. So I was wondering, do any of you suffer from arthritis? Is there any tips you have on easing the pain? I am going to talk to my doctor about this at the next appointment, but in the meantime I thought I might ask. Do you think a heating pad or electric blanket would help? Any advice is much appreciated!
Sorry to write a novel here too. LOL.
