Arthritis Help Center
Can the severe symptoms of psoriatic arthritis be reduced?
After several mis-diaganoses since my first visit to hospital in September 06 - they thought it was fractured metatarsals/ cuboid bones - my specialist has eventually realised that I am a long standing sufferer of Psoriasis. Psoriatic Arthritis is now suspected after a bone scan and the blood tests should confirm it. I am due to see my specialist again on 10th January and the foot pain/ difficulty in walking has now spread to my knee causing locking, extreme pain and clicking noises. Even more tests and delays are now anticipated, possibly a MRI scan with a 19 week waiting list and a sample of fluid from my knee. Meanwhile I am only taking un-prescribed drugs - Ibprofen and Anadin Extra - and am worried that irreversable damage may be caused due to the delay in diagnosis. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Will I always suffer pain and disability? Why don't doctors ask the right questions & arrange the right tests when you see them? I feel let down by our Health Service
Public Comments
- Treatment Options
Skin care
Light treatment (UVB or PUVA)
Corrective cosmetics
Medications: glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, gold, cyclosporine
Exercise
Rest
Heat and cold
Splints
Surgery (rarely)
The wait for MRI scans is rediculous! I had to wait for about 2 months and only got one that "quickly" as I could get to teh hospital at short notice!!!
I hope you get some solutions to your problem soon; - Please see the links to back up what is said below.
It is not something that I condone but in 2002/3/4 in England the National Health Service (NHS) through NICE/ Medical Research Council & the British Government considered legalizing the use of cannabis (Weed) for the use of easing certain types of pain. This has not been made legal so it is still not a proven method safe for public use, however I do know friends who have used cannabis to ease their pains & it has worked! It is not a cure but may help.
However, there is the fact that it damages the ability to concentrate and, if smoked, may increase the risks of developing lung cancer.
Before ever considering cannabis make sure you have researched thoroughly - The treatment of psoriatic arthritis involves taking the same anti-inflammatory drugs that are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. But taking natural remedies is more advantageous as they address the deeper issue while providing the same effects.
