Well, now I know.

[ThomCat]

My clinical diagnosis was Reumatoid Arthritis. But my doctor said it could also be Psoriatic Athritis. They're identical until you start to develop secondary characteristics. With Reumatoid Arthitis your joints deform. With Psoriatic Arthritis you get Psoriasis and your skin breaks down.

I have just discovered that I have Psoriatic Arthritis.

I was hoping it would be a few years before I got to the secondary characteristics and found out. But as fast as this has been happening, I should have expected something to show up this quicly. :(

:shrug:

I hope you're all going to have a great weekend. :hi:

[Parche]

1. I Hope You Do Too

:hug: :hug: :hug:

:hi:

[ThomCat]

7. I'm definitely going to try.

:)

The weather is supposed to be nice. I am going to try to get outside to a park.

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. ~~~

:hug::hug::hug:
I wish I could make it just go away...
:hug::hug::hug:

[ThomCat]

8. You really would be a Goddess if you could.

:hug:

:loveya:

[fizzgig]

3. ...

:hug:

[ThomCat]

9. Right back at you.

:hug:

[huskerlaw]

4. Oh Thom...

Does that at least mean they can treat it more effectively?? I'm hoping... :(

:hug:

[ThomCat]

11. Unfortunately, no.

It just means one more thing to deal with. My first outbreak is minor though, so it's not a big deal. Hopefully it will stay minor. Psoriasis, all by itself, can be a major problem. I don't want it to ever get that far.

:hug:

[musette_sf]

5. hugs to you

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

is Raptiva a possibility for the psoriatic part of it?

[ThomCat]

12. I don't know.

I see my Reumatologist again in 5 weeks. Unless this becomes an emergency, I'll have to wait to ask her then. :shrug:

:hug:
So far it's just annoying. Hopefully it'll stay just annoying. :)

[u4ic]

6. Many gentle

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:


I hope that you can get some appropriate and helpful treatments now that you have a definitive diagnosis.

[ThomCat]

14. I start the Methotrexate today.

That will hopefully deal with the pain and loss of mobility. And, if all goes well, the Psoriasis will go away soon and stay gone for a while. :)

:hug:

[musette_sf]

26. don't get scratched by the kitties!

penicillin is contraindicated.

how are the kitties?

[ThomCat]

34. I'm worried about the problem with penicillin and asprin.

:(

Given my recent abscesses, obviously I'm prone to infections for some reason. It's going to suck having to avoid the penicillin related antibiotics.

And my over the counter migraine med has asprin in it. I have been taking that at the first sign of any headache because my migraine meds are rationed. I screen out the less severe headaches before resorting to the prescription med. I guess I'm just going to be enduring more headaches.

Life will get a bit more interesting, I guess. :shrug:

[stuntcat]

10. :hug:

:hug: I cannot understand how, if there's a god, things like this happen to great people. Whatever goes on, please keep up that smile, your good spirit will help you, I know that for sure, god or no god.

[ThomCat]

17. I'm definitely taking it pretty well.

It's sooner than I hoped, but it's not unexpected. So I'm ready for this. :)

And I'm optimistic about the new med, so we'll see how the next month goes.

:hug:

[Kajsa]

13. I'm so sorry,Thom.

:hug:

[ThomCat]

18. Thank you.

:hug:

Hopefully this is minor and temporary. I can deal with that. :)

[Kajsa]

24. You've got a great spirit, Thom.

That really helps a lot.
;) :hug:

[lizerdbits]

15. Aww

:hug: I hope it doesn't get too bad for you. We all wish there was something we could do to help. :hug:

[ThomCat]

19. I hope so too.

I've known a few people with Psoriasis, and it can be disabling on its own. I'm hoping I never, ever get that far. I think I'm dealing with enough already. :P

:hug:

[Shakespeare]

16. Hugs & good health

Did your doctor decide whether to put you on methotrexate?

Regardless, at least you have a question answered, which means you can go forward with more information. That's one good thing. :hug:

[ThomCat]

20. I start the Methotrexate today.

:)

Hopefully I'll have good results in this first four weeks. I get blood tests in four weeks and then see my Rheumie to reevaluate.

:hug:

[Shakespeare]

29. May it help you as much as it's helped my sister!!

And with no noticeable side effects, either!! :toast: :hug:

[Critters2]

21. So, does this mean a difference in treatment, too? nt

[ThomCat]

27. No. Just more treatment.

Now I have to see a Dermatologist and deal with my skin too. :shrug:

[Critters2]

31. Sorry. I was hoping this might mean easier treatment, a better prognosis,

something. I was being uncharacteristically optimistic. That'll teach me.

How are you doing? Have you started the methotrexate?

[ThomCat]

38. T Minus 1 hour and 30 minutes until my first dose.

:P

My ex-girlfriend is staying with me this weekend in case there's a problem. Given how many meds I take, and how many times I've been in the ER with severe side effects and drug interactions, I like to have someone with me when I start a major new med. :)

[Longhorn]

22. I hope you're feeling okay

and get a good, effective treatment! :hug:

[ThomCat]

28. Thank you.

:hug:

I'm definitely working on that. :)

[lightningandsnow]

23. ...

:hug:

Well, at least you know, right?

I wish you well with treatment.

You have a great weekend too!

[ThomCat]

30. Thank you very much, AspieGrrl.

:hug:

I'm planning on having a good weekend.

Hopefully I won't have people staring at my skin too much. I think I'm going to be far more aware of it than anyone else. But they're already staring at the wheelchair and crutches, so I'm practiced at ignoring them. :P

[Lyric]

25. Oh, god, I'm so sorry.

Check your PM's in about five minutes. :hug:

[ThomCat]

39. Have I mentioned recently how wonderful you are?

:loveya:

[Gormy Cuss]

32. Now that's just craptacular news, isn't it?

I hope that the new drug regimen works well and that you have/get a good dermatologist.:hug:

I hope that you have a good weekend in spite of it.

[ThomCat]

40. I haven't see a dermatologist yet

but I have a referal. I will be calling on Monday to make an appointment. :)

I am definitely not going to let this stop my weekend. :hug:

[DarkTirade]

33. Hopefully knowing will mean you'll be able to treat it better. :\

:hug:

[ThomCat]

41. Unfortunately, it doesn't change or improve the treatment at all.

It just adds some symptoms that need to be managed. :(

But I can deal with this too. I'm a stuborn bastard. :P

:hug:

[femmocrat]

35. Sending prayers and vibes to you ThomCat.

:hug:

My mom had RA.... I know there are newer meds now. Hope you find a treatment program that will give you much relief.

[ThomCat]

42. Thank you.

:hug:

My Rheumatologist seems to be starting with old meds and working her way forward. Given that there is more known about the saftey and side effects of older meds I definitely approve of that method. :)

But if the Methotrexate doesn't work, I know she has a newer med in mind to start me on next.

[khashka]

36. Oh my dearest Thomas Cattus

But at least knowing means the docs know what and how to treat it.

Hugs,
Khash.

[ThomCat]

43. Hi Khashka!

:hug:

I'm very lucky to have amazing doctors. They definitely know what they're doing.

Now if my body will cooperate everything would be wonderful. :P

[zanne]

37. Aw, dammit Thomcat...

I hope the medication you're taking will help you out. Chronic disease is a real test of character, isn't it? It'd be nice not to be tested.

[ThomCat]

45. It would be wonderful if we never had to take those tests.

But if we have to, I'm glad we're not failing. :hug:

I know that I've definitely become a more patient and more optimistic person as my pain has progressed. But I'll be damned if I know how that happened. :P

[cordelia]

44. Poor thing, and best wishes

I have had psoriasis since I was 7 years old (just turned 50). But I have never had the associated arthritis. My GP and dermatologist ask me about joint pain each visit, and there is none.

All the best to you.

If there's anything, please. . .

[ThomCat]

47. I hope you never, ever develop arthitis.

It sounds like you have already dealt with far more than enough. :hug:

If you know of any good sites online about Psoriasis, please feel free to point me to them. I have some research I need to do. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

46. My dear ThomCat!

I am sorry to hear it, sweetie...

I'm glad, though, that you finally know!

I too hope it stays minimal...

My husband has it, but it's easily controlled with skin creams...

I hope yours will be easily controlled as well...

:loveya:

:hug:

[ThomCat]

48. Hi Peggy!

:hug:

I hope it's that easy for me to deal with too. That would be perhaps the easiest thing I'm dealing with so far. :P