Question
I am 32 and recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. If I am able to manage my pain, why should I start DMARDS? I think if I can control my stress, then I can get this disease into remission with no drugs.
Answer
Psoriatic arthritis is an type of autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system is attacking healthy tissue. While your pain may be manageable it does not mean the disease is not destroying your joints. Even a small amount of inflammation can erode away bone and cartilage. THis can happen quickly in psoriatic arthritis. Your back and neck pain may also be part of this illness. Your rhuematologist has recommended treatment for good reason–to preserve your current function. As for controlling stress, that may help with exacerbations or waxing and waning of symptoms, but it will not put your disease into remission.
