Living with Psoriatic Arthritis - Dr Laura Durcan

[@CrankyPantss]

That was an excellent talk. I’m watching this 4 years after it was done, but the information is still just as appropriate. I'm viewing this in 2024 and from the USA and we're still getting psoriatic arthritis and COVID is still lurking around. Dr. Durcan was very helpful and inspiring. Thank you to Gráinne O’Leary for asking such great questions and for shining a light on this troublesome condition and to Dr. Laura Durcan for sharing her heightened level of knowledge and experience regarding the condition, as well as her great amount of compassion for the patients.

[@benkelly2423]

After 13 months of testing, I have recently been diagnosed with this and left with only a handful of leaflet from the hospital and told to follow the Zoe diet! I've been trying to source information and have been finding myself feeling lonely, stressed and frustrated... This is the first real structured professional informative video. THANK YOU! 🙏

[@susanneoliverarmstrong2184]

Thank you for mentioning the incredibly disabling fatigue. I really think this should listed as a key symptom.

[@jodybogdanovich4333]

Yes! I see my rheumy tomorrow and although Cosentyx is helping pain and psoriasis-wise, my fatigue has been getting worse over the years, especially post exertional malaise. I'm wondering if I also having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 🤷‍♀️

[@KiwikimNZ]

I was just going to say the same thing. People do not understand the debilitating exhaustion, it’s like your body is a lead weight and even thinking of having something like a shower is beyond manageable some days. Hugs

[@Von1966]

This is the best most informative talk about PdA I have ever watched. Thank you so much.

[@petendo1up]

Thanks for this. Was diagnosed today. Laura is a legend. Made me so calm.

[@annconforti9294]

How many hoops and how long did it take you to finally get a diagnosis?

[@petendo1up]

@@annconforti9294 I'm living in Ireland. My doctors were actually great once they realised what the issue was.

[@youubik]

@@petendo1up Not before though

[@shantielephanti]

That VOO DOO would be the gut microbiome in my opinion, from my personal experience with this disease. Very informative yet I really wish people knew the very important connection of the health of the gut and autoimmune conditions. How very important it is to remember the connection of mind body and spirit as well.

[@IPMan-me6lo]

Yes, you are right. I follow the German, Dr. med. Anne Fleck. She has proofed and verified, your microbiome is the key. Unfortunately, “Die Ernährungs-Docs” are only in German.

[@roseh1132]

OMG you are a legend, talking about women and body size RESPECT!

[@SweetCheeksJokoli]

Great video! Laura is very impressive and comes across super authentic!

[@KiwikimNZ]

What a lovely clinician! Every knowledgeable and very compassionate and understanding. ❤ thank you

[@pastorpammenanazonline4028]

Actually, had PSA back in my 30's but I had no idea.... My joint pain just got worse and worse. I have had 10 plus surgeries since then. I am now 68 years old. My PSA was not diagnosed until I was in my 50's. So, for almost 20 years I struggled with severe joint pain and psoriasis around my ears, knees, and eyebrows. I have always had pitted nails but didn't know why. I finally got to where I couldn't walk into a store or teach school as that was my job. Then I began to see a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with PSA. My rheumatologist said PSA is like a cousin to RA. He put me on Humira (a biologic) and I began to improve and be able to have a normal life.

[@youubik]

There are so many incompetent dummy doctors and they all seem to congregate in the UK

[@tanyaluchko9003]

May I know if, in addition to pain, your joints were always swollen?

[@jacobjones5269]

“Am I talking too much?”… Meanwhile, diagnosed 4 months ago and I’m hanging on every word..

[@KiwikimNZ]

I hope you are doing ok ❤

[@simbapompom6765]

I've had psoriasis since I was 12 first getting it in my neck and scalp then over the years I've developed it on my elbows and have small breakout areas on my legs. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia just over 2 years ago but psoriatic arthritis was ruled out even though I now have extremely painful joints in my knees, neck, shoulders fingers lower back toes, arms, toes groin in fact just about every joint and bone in my body is effected.

[@curufin1871]

I would recommend to reassess the fibromyalgia diagnosis, perhaps you could get a 2nd opinion concerning the question of psoriatic arthritis?

[@annconforti9294]

I so relate

[@florabraswell8423]

@@curufin1871 can’t believe your history with these things are exactly like what l have been experiencing, l also have had flu symptoms, the symptoms like you are every joint l was diagnosed Al fibromyalgia but they never checked for anything else now over 20 years have gone by lam in suffering mode now and too sick to go through trying to find a good doctor l have had flare ups through the years now my eyes stay dry and blood shot , my mouth has been very dry. Eyesight is also very blurry hypothyroidism for over 20 years , high blood pressure lam feeling now that l may have several different types of autoimmune diseases, because l have had inflammation in my body a long time the top joints of my fingers n tips are tingling with pain and numbness everyday it is very hard for me to text right now , l have lived a life of suck it up woman and you must keep on going for your family’s sake , they think your just wanting attention anyway so get over it but l can’t lam suffering now thanks to Doctors that never paid attention to me ,did they really believe l wanted to be in their office? Not Hardly

[@sherrylarson5366]

I had swollen toes when I was 15 years old. Also I had a spine problem as a child. I went to so many Drs and blood tests and on and on. I’m now 75 next week and am quite disabled. It makes me so upset when I really think about my search for what did I have wrong with me. When did Dr really start to understand PsA

[@youubik]

It took 34 yrs for me to be diagnosed, psoriatic arthristis was know about in the 1970s. UK doctors are very slow and incompetant

[@rowenareinertsen4749]

Very informative. Thank you. I do have a stupid question, is the interviewer a very tiny person and is the dr very very tall? Such a difference in sizes!

[@sandrabrown2757]

I think it is the chair height. I thought the same thing!

[@maryblais7791]

lol!

[@rowenareinertsen4749]

@@sandrabrown2757 or one of those optical illusions. 😁

[@lindalucas6318]

Looking at the legs of the chairs, the dr is sitting on a chair with a higher seat. Probably taller as well.

[@samanthaharris2342]

Excellent Information on this .. Thank you

[@lunarbunny8035]

thank you so much !!!! the Doctor made me feel like i can have hope

[@allanmaclure7038]

Thank you very much this is the best explanation of this problem I have ever heard 😀 😊

[@kathystorerhull]

Fantastic quality of response

[@Levandetag]

I just wonder, how several doctors, totally have missed this, and misdiagnosed me for more than 25yrs. Since around 5yrs, I have had rashes on one leg, never healing, since 6months I have got elbow rashes, nails with deep straight lines, and sever pain in my spine, hands, under my feets and whole body. Have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and spinetroubles and arthritis, seen on MR/DT. Even when I have had strange rashes sometimes, for more than 30 yrs. Not ONE doctor has even thought about Psoriasis Arthritis! When it might be, or might have become. Not even the skindocotors, or reuma-doctors. Feel both sad and angry, Pain is so bad right now, felt like whole body was poisoned with crystals in my blood and one elbow swollen, when I woke up today. Since I have so much inflammation, cause in chronic stress (it gets worse of stress) with periodical inflammationfever 37,8-38. So tired right now: On people who think all disease which isnt sighted on the surface, or isnt cancer, is nothing! One more day totally waisted, cant do anything today, again. Stretching is helpful. Thank you for your clear symtoms!

[@shelleyw5951]

Have you been checked for Parathyroid disease?? Make sure to have that ruled out. My GP finally caught it after years of pain. I was diagnosed with Psoriatic in 2018, but was diagnosed in 2020 with Hyperparathyroidism. I had a benign tumor that was 2.1 cm that was finally removed in March 2023. Being it was that size, I might have had it for 10 years at least. I told my Rheumatologist in November 22 that I had a PTH tumor and she pooh-pooed my symptoms and told me, it was all due to PA and to go on Methotrexate anyway even though I was so highly symptomatic due to my high Calcium. I injected it for a few months. After my surgery I had been off it for 10 days and then had a horrible painful week after I took it again and pain in my liver area. I decided to go off it for awhile after that, because I hate injecting it and now I have to take so much calcium citrate and also Magnesium citrate, vitamin D, K2 Its all too much to remember withe the Folic acid and injections. I really want to go to the beach and enjoy the sun and some heat after freezing all winter in BC, Canada. When your on Methotrexate, they say stay out of the sun. Im almost 59 and hardly ever drink alcohol, but I live in one of the worlds most beautiful wine regions and I'd like to be able to have a glass of wine if I feel like it, without worrying that my liver is being killed off with the Methotrexate. I have the barometer knees and stiff fingers, but I just want to supplement with some homemade tumeric and moringa bombs till I catch up. The last few years have been absolute hell with erosive arthritis in my neck, spine, now severe stenosis just horrible, brain fog, exhaustion, depression, 30lb weight gain and chronic pain. everywhere. I wouldn't wish this combo on anyone. I'm pretty much 80% disabled now and also need a foot operation and will soon need spinal surgery too.

[@Jonases_20]

how are u now

[@youubik]

It took me 34 yrs for me to be diagnosed, never underestimate how incompetant and useless UK doctors are

[@foxywhitetip7387]

Crystals in blood THATS. Called oxalates

[@xaqbennett]

As a patient, all I want to know is what's the latest on cure research and what's the difference in the efficacy of different biologics? I know they target different points in the disease pathway, what's the latest and greatest? Neither of those topics were discussed. Just some constructive criticism. Thanks for doing this. 🙏

[@shannonwanlin4287]

She is not here to discuss what your doctor should be discussing with you. You can also Google every question you have and maybe educate yourself. Just a little constructive criticism 😂

[@michaeldaly1495]

An incredibly informative and helpful video. wonderful stuff

[@krissymarklewis1793]

Thanks for this vid, been a great help!

[@kristie5981]

So much good information. Thank you so much!

[@rathnasiribogodage848]

Thank you very much doctor, very informative and helpful! Your knowledge Is amazing! Thank you both!

[@Danieltittil]

Thank you for this information.

[@hemunkumarbuldee611]

Thanks, very useful

[@snoopycharlie8718]

35:55 Would bigger muscles not put more strain on the ligaments and therefore increase the risk of detachment from bone? (Was told PSA can attack the ligaments. Stronger muscles puts more stress on ligaments. Yes, ligaments can adapt, but isn't psa simultaneously weakening them? )

[@CrankyPantss]

I would think that strong, healthy muscles would only improve the health of the ligaments. Tendons and ligaments don’t have a lot of blood supply for nourishment, but having strong muscles that allow the joints to move more and to move correctly would only improve the function of and increase the circulation and therefore nourishment to the entire joint complex.

[@Abubakar-ws9nh]

Best explanation 🙏

[@lizcollins5465]

Diet is VERY important. Please doctors start learning the role of diet in these diseases. Also being overweight causes more issues on the joints.. many many foods can cause more inflammation then others!

[@pattiehh913]

Insulin resistance is a very important factor for any chronic illness... lots of good KZbin info do some research... food is perhaps most important factor within our control

[@shannonwanlin4287]

I did a complete diet change under nutritional guidance in order to avoid biologics. That was about 10 years ago...my poor body, my regrets, my joints are so damaged, and that is not reversible. I now use a cane to walk and suffer so much pain daily. I should have listened to my body and stopped masking my pain. On biologics, slowly starting to get get stronger, and have only fallen 4 times this week. Doctors have looked into food, the benefits do not show enough positive improvement or stop of progression for them to medically ignore medicine they know can help keep or improve quality of life. Everyone is better off health wise eating healthy

[@Jonases_20]

​@@shannonwanlin4287how arevu now

[@debbieweahkee3820]

Excellent video

[@catherinedixon4853]

Hi this is a great information talk. I went into remission for a long time. I started eating gluten and things started to turn 🍐 shape. Itchy back , inflammation in a knuckle in my left finger and now in a joint in my toe left foot. I'm all this, RA signs but not positive in the blood. Anyways l have a mix of labels as well as hashimotos. I started on caster oil applying on my knockle and inflammation has gone . Itchy skin has gone . Have gone gf again . I'm waiting for my foot to get better

[@thistooshallpass5425]

Diet is incredibly important - there’s no way I can enjoy a ‘normal diet’ - I wished 😢

[@JenniferMerilahti]

How does low magnesium affect PA

[@laylaclapton3211]

Brilliant!

[@nibiruthecat7652]

I have chronic psoriasis and psoratic arthritis. I have severe nail pitting and occasionally swelling around the eyes. Q: I also have dysphagia can that be a syptom of psoratic arthritis?

[@jilligain3409]

I have widespread Paget’s disease of the bone, multiple joint replacements, have had a meningioma tumor removed from my spine that was sitting on T-7, and one hell of a case of fibromyalgia. All I’m doing w/ my life right now is suffering basically, for decades now (I’m 48). There’s a clinic in California doing a fibro treatment study right now. I think their name is Epicgenetics? Search for the FM/a blood test & it’ll pop. I’m on norco 10/325 4xs a day for pain & flexeril 10mgs 1 time @ night. They help okish. But the pain meds haven’t really worked well in about a yr so I’m not sure what my pain management dr will want to do. Best of luck to all of you. Chronic disease is no laughing matter

[@annconforti9294]

The gov limit for pain meds is 90Mme. You are currently at 40mme. You should be able to get either a stronger one or more of what you are on. Your Dr has some play room in regards to the gov limits. If you are in the US

[@kitty5439]

I still have pain and swelling after moving . Plus the organ damage is hardly ever mentioned.

[@internationalmatt1]

I was diagnosed with psoriasis in March. I have an appointment with a rheumatologist in ten days to be checked for psoriatic arthritis. My GP referred me. One question I have is if diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, how soon after does treatment begin?

[@xaqbennett]

Should be immediate.

[@stephanypasnin1474]

i was given a steroid shot on the day then given a script

[@Jonases_20]

how are u now

[@Jonases_20]

​@@stephanypasnin1474was it in knee?

[@internationalmatt1]

doing ok was diagnosed with psa and receiving treatment thank you@@Jonases_20

[@shackattack9248]

Do u no why they are switching so many people from humera to amjevita ?

[@lroyjohnston5560]

It's cheaper

[@tomakram872]

You know what Ireland and Scotland seem to take chronic illness far more seriously then England

[@annconforti9294]

Or the US. Think about it. All Irish have no pigment in their skin. Very ppl are sensitive ppl.

[@stevennel686]

Hi is there anyway we can start a WhatsApp group chat for people with Psa? Im from south africa. Thanks Steven

[@kayxgee1]

They have some apps for group chats with people with psa & most other diagnoses

[@Jonases_20]

there's also in fb group

[@feewaybilz]

cleared up severe psoriasis all over my body by taking 200 mg of artemisinin daily for 5 weeks and it never returned!! Been 3 years.

[@kayxgee1]

What is this ? Meditation or some vitamin?

[@royharper2003]

herbal wormwood@@kayxgee1

[@stephanypasnin1474]

i have PA. No skin rashes. Hands , back is affected. I am on Methotrexate and Liflumonide. My inflamation has gone down in my fingers. Was wondering if i will ever come off these meds.

[@althafkongath]

How is your condition right now.?

[@Jonases_20]

​hi sweetie

[@Jonases_20]

how are u now stephany

[@stephanypasnin1474]

My condition is the same. Am still on same meds

[@Jonases_20]

@@stephanypasnin1474 do u have any pain? i have psoriatic arthritis symptoms that appeared just this june. and in 3 months, i'm already bedridden

[@krissymarklewis1793]

This started off with scaly skin on my elbows other regions and forehead then my legs started to not work, especially in the mornings than my knees, wrists and now my jaw. They have given me painkillers and hydrocortisone and I have to go for a blood test in the week.

[@annconforti9294]

We're you diagnosed? How are you doing?

[@jadep4802]

Did you get diagnosed?

[@chrisbelt5519]

Great video. There's a new probiotic food supplement called Axisbiotix which is showing promising results with psoriasis and arthritic psoriasis.

[@luyennguyen7406]

Once joint damage is done. .. swelling, stiffness, can it be healed or reversed

[@stephanypasnin1474]

my inflamation has gone down on my fingers but i still have nodules. was told my fingers wouldnt look normal again but would look improved. cant reverse tje damage

[@rmarinero]

Great interview, however minimizing diet seems to be incorrect. In Autoimmune conditions the body attacks itself and allergens in the food are related, but not all people react the same to different food. At least from my experience gluten cause me brain fog, headaches, psoriatic flare ups. I removed gluten and in less than one month all that improved greatly, the improvement is clearly visible in my nails. I am not saying it is the cure but at least should be complementary. Eating bread and gluten is not equivalent to eating healthy and make you stronger, at almost 40 I feel better than at my 20s with gluten.

[@Jonases_20]

may I know what's your diet

[@rmarinero]

@@Jonases_20 I remove gluten, which is basically most bread, pasta, or anything that contains wheat, barley, or rye. Now a day is not that difficult to find gluten-free options, but at the beginning, you have to look at all food labels, many of them have gluten hidden (for example soy or ketchup or even condiments, beware of that)

[@Jonases_20]

@@rmarinero ok. Tysm hun. I have a suspected psoriatic arthritis and the symptoms just appeared last this june. In just 3 months, i was completely bedridden. But now i can walk but limping because my knee and left foot are so painful. Both of my hands are affected too and i can't make a fist because it's swollen. Thanks! :)

[@MsMtwardy]

Worst disease ever😢😭

[@johnholmes912]

I am fatigued when I wake up in the morning

[@spmoran4703]

Many people are under the impression that Arthritis is for older people . I have Arthritis and Lupus . And I am young ..

[@sherrylarson5366]

When ever I exercised I would hurt my joints

[@KD-rs6xx]

My doctors in Southern Maine won't refer me to a rheumatologist, even with obviously SEVERE psoriatic arthritis. Makes me mad.

[@Jonases_20]

how are u now hun

[@foxywhitetip7387]

Same happened with a “doctor” in Hawaii

[@shackattack9248]

Also i think my psorasis changed from guttatti to plague and then photose sitive is beacuse everyone told my mum the sun helpsim a pale pink irish girl living in manchester i got the worst sunburn and think i may have had a genetic mutation ohh and the man and woman who are married and were then in charge of dermatology at hope hospital are the worst peopl ever they put me on cyclosporin for my skin amd i piled on weight and wen i went back and showm them my feet they were like balls they said it was the meds it was the artritus none of them ever examed my back or kneck or anythig they put me in againfor two weeks when i was 30 for two weeks and a nurse doing my cream took one look at my spine and said i have scholiosis my doctor at st marys has asked me to buddy people who are recently diagnosed shes lovley an has helped me but wat a fuckin joke i literally know more than my so calles experts and not the ones at st marys they have been amazing

[@rebellos00]

i'm an identical twin with psoriasis, inverse psoriasis and psoriasic arthritis, but my twin has none of these so they're right it's not only genetics

[@lroyjohnston5560]

All my doctor will prescribe me is cocodamol for this condition. It has put me off even phoning them when I'm in a bad way.

[@lroyjohnston5560]

I've been taking them for years and my stomach is in bit, his answer to that is here take a stomach tablet? Feckn useless

[@xaqbennett]

Whats the latest on cure research? Stem cells? CRISPR? Probiotics? Bone marrow transplants?

[@shackattack9248]

Wow i was 14 and woke up with it on all my limbs i was admitted to hospital wen i was 18 it was raw red split open puss coming out and they gave me light thearpy and it got horrendously worser i had to do a trial at 19 for 2 weeks. To be told i was photosensitive i had been complaining of kneck pains to my gp from 13 no one ever told me about psoratic artritius not one doctor im 35 now 4 yeara ago i gota pain in my elbow 2 weeks later i couldnt walk i have it in every joint i have scoliosis spondylitius sciatica hypermobility syndrome and fibromyalgia

[@Jonases_20]

how are u nos

[@foxywhitetip7387]

What do you eat .?

[@bmc5075]

I’m due to start biological treatment has any one had this

[@francescanock8313]

Yes; did it help you?

[@jeffsanderson2737]

Can you lose your balance on this stuff?

[@sherrylarson5366]

So now I can’t agree. When your body gets to point the joints are destroyed there is no choice except to have surgery. The level you are talking about is right at the start. When I went for years and couldn’t even get a diagnosis it’s too late. Surgery and pain meds are the only answer. Biologics kill the immune system.

[@ruthlesslamb6986]

Why is it that every single illness consists of a life time of medications. I do not want to swallow pills everyday for the rest of my life.

[@dylanfriend2766]

It’s not that we WANT the pills, we just can’t stand the symptoms without the pills. This is coming from someone who tried to “tough it out” for too long without any medication. Now I’m on 2 medications (Leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine) and managing my disease pretty well at this point. The straw that broke the camels back was that my knee swelled up like a balloon and I had a low grade fever 17 times in 1 year. Medication sucks but so does unmanaged PsA!

[@ruthlesslamb6986]

I'm glad you found some relief. I've been in a flair up for 3 years with multiple effected areas and symptoms. It's just sad that drugs is the only solution. That is difficult for me, as I do not and never have had faith in medication or drugs. I cannot commit to taking pills every day.

[@dylanfriend2766]

@@ruthlesslamb6986 I totally understand that! I come from a family that really doesn’t take medicine unless we have to, but I have learned that it was worth a try. My options were :1. Do nothing and stay in pain. 2: try something to get relief. It took a few medicines trial and error but I’m glad I did. I hate to say it really just had to get bad enough for me to consider medicine. I’m glad it got bad because now I can be active again! I will say a prayer for your situation!

[@christopherpearce6473]

I no longer have any trust in Rheumatology especially when left to live on the periphery of society should have given immunosuppressed patient better care and funded Evusheld to give confidence against Covid and other up tract infections

[@kevinlofting1104]

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis is often as a result of a leaky gut.Having suffered for 25 years I went Vegan and all symptoms including the swollen joints were gone in 4 days! I have now been without symptoms for 4 years! Why do doctors not look at diet in the first instance rather than giving them drugs?

[@Jonases_20]

may i know what's your diet? I'm suffering from pain everyday

[@foxywhitetip7387]

Ridiculous. I got this after 20 years vegan

[@stephenbrown9998]

If you need opioids then you do but not all the time

[@seanogcon]

I take hydrocodene for pain I’m 91 now. Cayenne capsules. And curcumin

[@seanogcon]

What is the cure ? I’m 90 now gave up on so called cure the gut is important n it eat saurkraut Spinach and beet juice no dairy No meat Gluten free bread a little Brie cheese meditation. And comedy I’m Irish living in Oregon I tell people living here jokes I take coQ10 Cayenne pepper for Heart Magnesium. Thanks doctors I got Covid. In 2022 no bing deal for me walking is king there is a lady 100 years old I see her walking every day

[@foxywhitetip7387]

Spinach is an oxalate bomb

[@traceyyoung1592]

Beautifully and efficiently explained - thankyou from Oz🦘