Psoriatic arthritis, causes and treatment.

T-cell mediated autoimmune disease. Go see a rheumatologist, and get consulted on humira, stelara or one of the other biologics. Will help tremendously

I have it. Was very debilitating until I was actually diagnosed. To the point where I was literally rolling out of bed because I was in so much pain.

Before the diagnosis, I thought I had various orthopedic issues - and am fairly certain I had one ortho surgery that was unnecessary as they were searching for the cause of significant pain in my wrist.

After being on biologics, I am 1000 times better and arguably in the best shape of my life now that I can be as active as a want pain free. I started on Humira (which worked well, but not excellent). Doc said I should at least try Enbrel - I have not been off it since.

The government puts fluoride in the water to cause arthritis so that people are in pain and get hooked on pills. Alex Jones has been preaching this stuff for years

I bought and installed his water filters and haven't had pain since

I have both and was misdiagnosed for a good while. I did my own research and diagnosed myself. The pain is indescribable. I have the arthritis on one side and I wanted to literally cut off my limbs because I couldn't imagine that would be more painful. All I could do was to take pain meds and stay in the bed. I don't think I would have stayed on this earth if I hadn't finally gotten some relief. Fortunately, I have no outward damage and very little internally.

I went to the National Psoriasis Foundatin forum and those folks gave me letters they'd had their docs write to their health insurers get on Enbrel or other biologics. I didn't want to take methotrexate. Wrote one up and gave it to my doc who agreed with the letter, but had little faith that it would work without the metho first, but it worked like a charm. Took a while, but it worked. I stay clear as far as the psoriasis and have little issues with the arthritis. I've been on Enbrel for about 11 years. I never want to feel that kind of pain again. I don't know how anyone could live in that kind of pain daily.

Biologic meds worked wonders for me. I was on Enbrel for psoriasis (same family of causes as the arthritis). Took it for several months a few years ago. Haven't had a single flareup since.

Just make damned sure you're ready to max out that insurance deductible. As I recall the meds cost in the neighborhood of $4,200 each month. That is the only time in my life I've taken more out of health insurance than I've put in.

A friend of mine has psoriatic arthritis + ankylosing spondylitis, genetic marker included. I could go into how terrible things were for him pre-diagnosis (constant pain, fatigue, etc. + 9 ortho surgeries that we now realize may have been unneeded), but it sounds like everyone here gets it. He dealt with an idiot primary care doc who did nothing but throw minor pain meds at him for years, but he finally got a referral to a rheumatologist and a diagnosis in 2014.

He tried Humira with mixed results. It succeeded in lowering his inflammation markers within normal range, but the side effects were terrible. He would be sick for 2-3 days after every injection and developed IBD-like GI issues that he'd never had before. So he quit after a year.

Since then he got a new GP who wanted to try diet and exercise in lieu of (or at least in conjunction with) biologics. He started on the auto-immune protocol (AIP) diet in January, and it has been a life-changer. He feels 100x better than he ever did with or without the Humira, and his inflammation markers are in a workable range. And all with zero side effects. The diet is INTENSE (stricter than Paleo/Whole 30) but so worth it.

I never bought into alternative medicine until I saw what a difference changing his diet made. So with diet + the right meds, I'd imagine ever more is possible. He's just not ready to go the biologic route again after the nightmare that was Humira.

TL;DR version: Autoimmune issues suck. Meds can help, but don't rule out diet as well.

quote:

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Enbrel was a true miracle drug

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If they have private insurance (paid by them/employer and they are not on medicare/medicaid) they are likely eligible for the Enbrel support program.

1 shot of Enbrel can run upwards of $1500.00 (taken once a week). Through the Enbrel support program I pay a $10.00 co-pay and Amgen (the manufacturer of Enbrel) covers any additional charges that I would normally be responsible for through my insurance. This includes any deductibles. For example I am on a HDHP and this program pays my entire deductible on the 1st refill of the year.

They also provide free sharps containers, alcohol swabs, and access to nurses 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns. It truly is an amazing drug.

Check out OWCP, they're a research company making THC infused psoriatic cream. If any of you guys trade stocks, this company is gonna pop soon. Under $1 per share is a steal.