Question 1

what is the best way to prevent psoriatic arthritis flare ups?

Accepted Answer

See below: Take your medicine and if it is not working meet with your rheumatologist to adjust your regimen.  Also reduce stress in your life as this can trigger flares.

Question 2

what is the best way to ease the pain of psoriatic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

your nutrition!: Often this condition responds really well to changes in diet.  The two most common ingredients that cause food reactivity and autoimmune reactions are gluten (most grains)  and casein (dairy).  Try eliminating both for a couple of months.  This is a simple suggestion but not easy as these ingredients are in many processed foods we eat daily. Also recommend dr. Lipski's book "digestive wellness.".

Question 3

which disease usually has the best prognosis: 1. sle, 2. rheumatoid arthritis, 3. psoriasis or 4. psoriatic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Impossible to say: It depends on the severity of each disease. Psoriatic would be considered the most benign.

Question 4

what is the best treatment for psoriatic arthritis?  i have been on remicade (infliximab) for 2 years and it has helped, but i hear and i am scared of side effects

Accepted Answer

Psoriatic Arthritis: The gold standard for treatment of psoriatic arthritis is remicade (infliximab). Other biologic treatments include elbrel and humira. But all of the biologics have the same spectrum of side effects.

Question 5

what options are best to treat my 20 month old daughter for psoriatic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Depends:: Treatment involves rx for skin and joints:
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications; vitamins and minerals (to slow bone deformation); immunosuppressive meds; 
corticosteroids (for inflammation); light treatment (uvb or puva); heat and cold; splints; exercise; physical therapy; 
occupational therapy (to improve ability to perform activities of daily living); dermatology (skin) & surgery (joints).

Question 6

i have severe psoriatic arthritis, celebrex (celecoxib) is my wonder drug.. only i can't afford a name brand right now, what would be the next best drug n generic?

Accepted Answer

Psoriasis: Biologics are revolutionizing how psoriasis/arthritis are treated, and what psoriasis patients are coming to expect from their psoriasis treatments.  Anti-psoriasis biologics have been developed based on current understanding of the abnormal immune system responses that contribute to the disease-enbrel, humira, Remicade and stelara (ustekinumab).

Question 7

i see many places say 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. but then when i actually read studies several large scale investigation only show 5-20% do. thats a big difference so why do many places still say 30%?

Accepted Answer

: In some cases people develop the arthritis before the skin eruptions of psoriasis actually appears. I wonder if some of the studies include these type of cases  retrospectively while other studies hadn't included them.

Question 8

what can i do to treat psoriatic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

See your doctor.: A rheumatology referral may be necessary, but a nsaid, with sulfasalazine and Methotrexate given once weekly are my first treatments.  The biologics work (enbrel, humira, (adalimumab) remicade) work, but are quite expensive, not generic, require prior authorization, and almost always require prior Methotrexate therapy. Leflunomide, azothioprine, and Cyclosporine are options, given by someone in rheumatology!

Question 9

is it possible to get psoriatic arthritis young?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is more typical for psoriatic arthritis to start when you are young. Usually, around 30, but you can get it at any age.

Question 10

is it possible to have psoriatic arthritis and test negative for arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Actually psoriatic arthritis does not have any specific blood testing or antibodies, different to rheumatoid arthritis where we usually have 2 antibodies that help with the diagnosis. The most important fact is to have psoriasis, a history of psoriasis or a 1st degree family member with psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis is a clinical diagnosis and does not rely much on blood work.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Where is the best climate to live with psoriatic arthritis

A member asked:

What is the best way to prevent psoriatic arthritis flare ups?

A member asked:

What is the best way to ease the pain of psoriatic arthritis?

A member asked:

Which disease usually has the best prognosis: 1. sle, 2. rheumatoid arthritis, 3. psoriasis or 4. psoriatic arthritis?

A member asked:

What is the best treatment for psoriatic arthritis? i have been on remicade (infliximab) for 2 years and it has helped, but i hear and i am scared of side effects

A member asked:

What options are best to treat my 20 month old daughter for psoriatic arthritis?

A member asked:

I have severe psoriatic arthritis, celebrex (celecoxib) is my wonder drug.. only i can't afford a name brand right now, what would be the next best drug n generic?

A member asked:

I see many places say 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. but then when i actually read studies several large scale investigation only show 5-20% do. thats a big difference so why do many places still say 30%?

A member asked:

What can i do to treat psoriatic arthritis?

A member asked:

Is it possible to get psoriatic arthritis young?

A member asked:

Is it possible to have psoriatic arthritis and test negative for arthritis?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?