Need PsA and Ps help

[Functionalfool]

I'm currently seeing a dermatologist, should I be seeing a rheumatologist?

[KatT]

Would be a good idea to consult if you can find a good one!

[Kat]

I'm currently seeing a dermatologist, should I be seeing a rheumatologist?

Some will say yes, others will say no. In general if a dermatologist is prescribing treatment that helps with psoriatic arthritis then some might say why bother, it's being handled. I've ran in to a couple of minor issues with my dermatologist wanting me to go one way for my skin and my rheumatologist wanting me to go another direction. But... I personally feel that the rheumatologist I see knows more about psoriatic arthritis than the dermatologist so I feel better with both. I did take information from one doctor to the other and at one point even requested they consult with each other to get on the same page.

I think another perspective is always a good thing. And as KatT said, find a good one!

[Fred]

Like Kat said "some will say yes and some will say no" I'm in the No camp as I have always found them useless when it comes to psoriatic arthritis and their answer is always methotrexate.

[Caroline]

Like Kat said "some will say yes and some will say no" I'm in the No camp as I have always found them useless when  it comes to psoriatic arthritis and their answer is always methotrexate.

I totally second that from a different country.

They always think that Psoriatic Arthritis is a variant of Rheumatic arthritis, which it is not, Psoriatic Arthritis is a variant of Psoriasis and should be treated differently.
But hey…. They “heard” from a colleague that methotrexate should work… there is totally no drive to look further than that.

[Kat]

I said that because I knew the "no's" were coming!

It's definitely an individual choice. I do think that in the US it's more common for Rheumatologists to treat psoriatic arthritis. But again, if a dermatologist is prescribing a med that covers both then I can see why bother. I honestly did not feel like m dermatologist really knew much about it. I may feel different after meeting my new one since my old one has moved to another state but I don't think I will. I actually like my Rheumatologist and I feel he is very knowledgeable about it.

[Kat]

Like Kat said "some will say yes and some will say no" I'm in the No camp as I have always found them useless when  it comes to psoriatic arthritis and their answer is always methotrexate.

I totally second that from a different country.

They always think that Psoriatic Arthritis is a variant of Rheumatic arthritis, which it is not, Psoriatic Arthritis is a variant of Psoriasis and should be treated differently.
But hey…. They “heard” from a colleague that methotrexate should work… there is totally no drive to look further than that.

Maybe yours but mine NEVER said any of that. The only thing he said about methotrexate is that some insurances want you to try it first as it's cheaper. (He is also the one that said if that happened, we'd deal with it but my insurance was fine with another treatment choice)

So I have to disagree, they do not "always" think that. He specifically told me what Rheumatic arthritis is (and told me I did NOT have it) and what Psoriatic Arthritis is and what to watch for. I told him that I was a member of a forum with people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis so I had resources for asking questions and he thought it was great. And although I might have found the one good Rheumatologist, I really think there are more out there. Just saying.

[Caroline]

Like Kat said "some will say yes and some will say no" I'm in the No camp as I have always found them useless when  it comes to psoriatic arthritis and their answer is always methotrexate.

I totally second that from a different country.

They always think that Psoriatic Arthritis is a variant of Rheumatic arthritis, which it is not, Psoriatic Arthritis is a variant of Psoriasis and should be treated differently.
But hey…. They “heard” from a colleague that methotrexate should work… there is totally no drive to look further than that.

Maybe yours but mine NEVER said any of that.  The only thing he said about methotrexate is that some insurances want you to try it first as it's cheaper.  (He is also the one that said if that happened, we'd deal with it but my insurance was fine with another treatment choice)

So I have to disagree, they do not "always" think that.  He specifically told me what Rheumatic arthritis is (and told me I did NOT have it) and what Psoriatic Arthritis is and what to watch for.  I told him that I was a member of a forum with people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis so I had resources for asking questions and he thought it was great.  And although I might have found the one good Rheumatologist, I really think there are more out there.  Just saying.

So apparently you have found one Kat. That is great for you.
I never have.
Also I never found one that admitted that mtx probably doesn’t work for Psoriatic Arthritis. As research indicates.

[Kat]

Like Kat said "some will say yes and some will say no" I'm in the No camp as I have always found them useless when  it comes to psoriatic arthritis and their answer is always methotrexate.

I totally second that from a different country.

They always think that Psoriatic Arthritis is a variant of Rheumatic arthritis, which it is not, Psoriatic Arthritis is a variant of Psoriasis and should be treated differently.
But hey…. They “heard” from a colleague that methotrexate should work… there is totally no drive to look further than that.

Maybe yours but mine NEVER said any of that.  The only thing he said about methotrexate is that some insurances want you to try it first as it's cheaper.  (He is also the one that said if that happened, we'd deal with it but my insurance was fine with another treatment choice)

So I have to disagree, they do not "always" think that.  He specifically told me what Rheumatic arthritis is (and told me I did NOT have it) and what Psoriatic Arthritis is and what to watch for.  I told him that I was a member of a forum with people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis so I had resources for asking questions and he thought it was great.  And although I might have found the one good Rheumatologist, I really think there are more out there.  Just saying.

So apparently you have found one Kat. That is great for you.
I never have.
Also I never found one that admitted that mtx probably doesn’t work for Psoriatic Arthritis. As research indicates.

Yes I do think I found a good one and I think there are more out there.

I don't know honestly what works and what doesn't as a lot of things that worked for others here didn't work for me on skin psoriasis that probably should have. And I have a brother in law who thinks methotrexate is great and works well as do some here who have stated they had success with it. I personally have no experience with it. Is it only Rheumatologist that prescribe it? Have dermatologists prescribed it for skin psoriasis? Does research show that it works for the skin and not psoriatic arthritis? I ask because I'm curious. Personally from what I've read here, I think there are better options.... but that's just my opinion.

And I am speaking up on Rheumatologist only because I do think there are good ones and I'd hate for someone to miss out on treatment because others have stated they are useless when it comes to Psoriatic Arthritis. I'm sure we've all had bad experiences with different doctors but they are not all the same. Here if you don't like one, you can switch to another easily enough so I think it's always good to talk to one if you feel you should. Nothing says you have to take their advice or go back to them if you don't feel they are a good fit.

[Fred]

Have dermatologists prescribed it for skin psoriasis?  Does research show that it works for the skin and not psoriatic arthritis?  I ask because I'm curious.  Personally from what I've read here, I think there are better options.... but that's just my opinion. 

Yes mickyfinn007 was prescribed it for psoriasis and as far as I know is still using it.

This survey looked at the use of Methotrexate for the treatment of psoriasis from 62 countries: Methotrexate use in psoriasis not uniform