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Question:

Michelle, Welcome. >The most pain is >in my "ring toe" which looks so deformed it’s embarrassing!!  Does anyone >have any advice about learning to deal with the deformity part.

I’ve got PA and have had problems with my toes, also.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any answers on the existing deformity.  One of my toes in now a ‘hammer toe’ and another looks like it has become partly fused.  I asked my doctor about the possibility of getting one amputated and he just laughhed.  I don’t think he took me seriously.  I had more important things to discuss so I didn’t follow it up. One thing that I’ve figured out is that when my toes are inflamed I need larger shoes.  It seems obvious to me now, but it took me a long time to figure it out.  And unfortunately, it’s probably too late for some of my toes…  I think a lot of the problem was caused by the fact that my toes were jammed into a shoe that was no longer large enough for them.  This probably won’t help reverse any existing damage that has already been done, but hopefully will limit any future damage and pain.  Since my inflamation is very seasonal, I now have summer shoes (size 12) and winter shoes (size 13).  Could this you help you any? >Or just to hear someone elses complaints.

We’ll see what we can do about coming up with some complaints.  :-) >Also, I’ve only seen a doctor once for it. >I could also use some advice on the availability of medications, etc.

I hope you’re seeing a rheumatologist!  If you’ve gotten to the point that you have deformity, then you really should be seeing one. Good luck, Rick G(in CA)

Response:

Welcome Michelle! You’ve already gotten some great advice so I just thought I’d chime in about the having kids part.  If your doctor is referring to Prednisone, it is in fact safe to take during pregnancy. I’m pregnant right now and did lots of research and found it does not cross the placenta. I took it during the first few weeks of pregnancy but haven’t needed it since. I’m not sure if women with PA go into remission during pregnancy but you might want to check with a rheumatologist.  I wouldn’t have attempted pregnancy without talking a lot with mine. Good luck!! Carina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, I’am a 32 year old female and have been suffering with PA for a few years >now. I have been affected by it in my fingers and in my toes.  The most pain >is >in my "ring toe" which looks so deformed it’s embarrassing!!  Does anyone >have >any advice about learning to deal with the deformity part.  Also, I’ve only >seen a doctor once for it.  He wanted me to start taking some kind of Steroid >however I hadn’t had any children yet, so he advised me not to take it.  I >have >never met anyone else with the illness so I’d love to hear from anyone who >can >help me in any way. Or just to hear someone elses complaints.  I could also >use >some advice on the availability of medications, etc. Thank you so much!! >Michelle.

Response:

Hi Michelle I have PA and I hate the deformties of my ring toes,they are so swollen and my pointy fingers on my hands and the knuckles are all swollen and deformed. I take MTX it but it gets me down sometimes and I snap at my hubby sometimes. I dont like to be depending on other people all the time,I like to be independant. Hope one day it will get better. Cheryl                              Cheryl & Kevin Page us: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/270914 Kevin’s Page: http://www.freeyellow.com/members2/ddkr/kev0.html Cheryl’s Page: http://www.freeyellow.com/members2/ddcr/cue_t.html <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< begin 666 cheryl.vcf M0D5′24XZ5D-!4D0-"E9%4E-)3TXZ,BXQ#0I..CMC:&5R>6P-"D9..F-H97)Y M; T*14U!24P[24Y415).150Z9&1K<D!A;&IA;BYC;VTN874-"D5-04E,.U!2 55# Y,38P-%H-"D5.1#I60T%21 T* ` end

Response:

Hi, Michelle! Steroids aren’t contraindicated in child bearing years in general. But, systemic steroids are contraindicated for people with psoriatic arthritis. The reason is that they can cause a bad flare-up of psoriasis and even change ordinary psoriasis to the generalized form of pustular psoriasis. That can be serious. Intraarticular steroid shots are OK though (shots into the joint). Another medication commonly used in RA is Plaquenil (anti-malarial). That may also worsen skin psoriasis. In some cases they now chose to use it anyway and to handle a flare-up of P. if it happens. Commonly used long acting medications (DMARDS) are: Salazopyrine/sulphasalazine Methotrexate Cyclosporine I am not sure for sulphasalazine or cyclosporine, but methotrexate you can use until 6 months before you try to conceive. While you are on it and 6 months after you have to be on safe birthcontrol. Other commonly used medications are the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDS. In light cases that is often the only medication used. I agree with the others, you should see a rheumatologist! Goto drdoc’s page for more information. Also make sure to read the page about preparing for a doc’s visit. Take care!!! > As for steroids, Prednisone is often a first line of defense in the > treatment of inflammatory arthritis, but as far as I know it is not > contraindicated in child bearing years.

– Best regards / Med vennlig hilsen,       Aase Marit ))))))            ("Aw-Se-Mareet" from Norway) http://w1.2380.telia.com/~u238000263/flaker/docs/index.html

Response:

Michelle-The first thing you need to do is get in to see a Rheumatologist.   There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis and the treatment is specific for each type of arthritis. As for steroids, Prednisone is often a first line of defense in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis, but as far as I know it is not contraindicated in child bearing years.  Many of the ladies here are mothers of young children, at least one is pregnant, and several are trying to get pregnant.   Some of the Disease Modifying Drugs (DMARDs) are contraindicated if you are trying to become pregnant. But Prednisone, as far as I know, is safe.  Of ten yourng women will go into remission while pregnant.  But the only way to get really good answers to that are pertinent to you is to see a Rheumatologist..  Please let us know what happens. Char Le Fleur Iowa,   USA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi, I’am a 32 year old female and have been suffering with PA for a few years > now. I have been affected by it in my fingers and in my toes.  The most pain is > in my "ring toe" which looks so deformed it’s embarrassing!!  Does anyone have > any advice about learning to deal with the deformity part.  Also, I’ve only > seen a doctor once for it.  He wanted me to start taking some kind of Steroid > however I hadn’t had any children yet, so he advised me not to take it.  I have > never met anyone else with the illness so I’d love to hear from anyone who can > help me in any way. Or just to hear someone elses complaints.  I could also use > some advice on the availability of medications, etc. Thank you so much!! > Michelle.

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Response:

Michelle, What LadyAndy2 said!  She says it so much better than I.  Welcome. Crystal soon to be Ramblin Rose again

Response:

>Hi, I’am a 32 year old female and have been suffering with PA for a few years >now. I have been affected by it in my fingers and in my toes.  The most pain is >in my "ring toe" which looks so deformed it’s embarrassing!!  Does anyone have >any advice about learning to deal with the deformity part.  Also, I’ve only >seen a doctor once for it.  He wanted me to start taking some kind of Steroid >however I hadn’t had any children yet, so he advised me not to take it.  I have >never met anyone else with the illness so I’d love to hear from anyone who can >help me in any way. Or just to hear someone elses complaints.  I could also use >some advice on the availability of medications, etc. Thank you so much!! >Michelle.

Hi Michelle! I have PA also and so do several people here. It’s in my fingers and toes also, seems like those are common targets. The only advice I can give you is to find a good rheumatologist. There is a new PA e-mail list at http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/ you might check it out! Steve http://www.zoomnet.net/~steve

Response:

You need to be seeing a rheumatologist! If the joints are already deforming, you best be doing something to slow it down!! As for the deformed toes…..I say ewwwwwww!!!!!! Wear shoes and socks at all times! That’s what I do!!! Keep Smilin’ ~krissy Visit my web pages at: http://arthritisnet.com http://members.aol.com/KrissyJo/RA.html "The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that  in which one has not laughed." Nicolas Chamfort

Response:

Hi, Michelle… welcome to the group!  As the others have said, you really need to be in the care of a rheumatologist.  Deformities caused by PA are not to be played around with… I know, I have PA too, and have had 2 tkr’s and 1 thr so far.   A good rheumy will also be able to help you decide what medications you may be able to take and for what period of time to get the PA under control while managing the child bearing question.   You can read more all this at the following non-commercial web site: http://www.aztec.co.za/users/drdoc/ Best regards, LadyAndy2

Response:

Hi, I’am a 32 year old female and have been suffering with PA for a few years now. I have been affected by it in my fingers and in my toes.  The most pain is in my "ring toe" which looks so deformed it’s embarrassing!!  Does anyone have any advice about learning to deal with the deformity part.  Also, I’ve only seen a doctor once for it.  He wanted me to start taking some kind of Steroid however I hadn’t had any children yet, so he advised me not to take it.  I have never met anyone else with the illness so I’d love to hear from anyone who can help me in any way. Or just to hear someone elses complaints.  I could also use some advice on the availability of medications, etc. Thank you so much!! Michelle.

Response:

Hi Michelle, Sorry you have a reason to be here, but welcome!  You said you have only seen a doctor once, was it a rheumatologist?  If not, you should really see a rheumatologist.  There are many forms of treatment available, some more agressive than others.  I can understand your hesitation since you still want to have children, but a rheumy could help you make the right decisions about what treatments would be right for your situation.  Whatever your decision, hang around here.  This is a great place, full of support and friendship.   Take care, Bonnie Never enter into a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent )

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