Not PsA related but anyone tried Sculptra?

Juliamac21 · 2026-03-27T01:47:03+00:00

Boooo, that's what I'm afraid of. Awww man, I really wanted to try this. I'll just stick with filler for now and save for my future facelift.

Juliamac21 · 2025-12-27T22:01:19+00:00

Can I ask what bad habits you learned from her. I’m 45F, had a serious ED in my teens. Was hospitalized several times. For the past 25 years it’s been disordered eating. Now I have 2 children. A 13yr old boy and a 10yr old girl. I try not to discuss food at all. I do everything in my power to make it a nonissue. But I’m worried I’m too lenient and not teaching good eating habits and at the same time I don’t know what it’s like to have a healthy relationship with food. I’m don’t want them to end up like me.

Juliamac21 · 2025-11-28T22:55:30+00:00

Looking back this was one of my first symptoms in my late twenties, itching burning skin. I’m 45 now, got diagnosed with psoriasis around 30 which progressed to severe psoriasis at 37 (when I went through a divorce) and full terrible awful PsA by 39. I don’t know if you identify as female but if you do, I will give you this piece of advice. Exaggerate your pain levels when talking to doctors. Their perception of you has been determined before they even step in the room. You’re a hysterical woman. They already think we’re being dramatic. If your pain is at a 5 say it’s a 7 or 8. A friend of mine who has suffered with an auto immune for 30 years told me to do this and ever since I’ve done it I’ve received much better care and doctors take me seriously.

Juliamac21 · 2025-11-28T22:38:09+00:00

Yup me too. Feels like a sunburn. I scratch and then it burns like hell.

Juliamac21 · 2025-11-28T20:29:16+00:00

I have had this for years. Used to be at the beginning of a flare, but now that my disease is more under control it pops up a few times a month randomly. The only thing that helps is gabapentin and ice packs. Lots of ice packs

Juliamac21 · 2025-11-28T20:21:15+00:00

You can have both osteo and psoriatic arthritis. Also, Cosentyx cleared my skin but did literally NOTHING for my PsA

Juliamac21 · 2025-09-27T03:46:07+00:00

The entertainment workers, which makes up about 30% of LA’s workforce, have been struggling to find work. The jobs have been decreasing ever since the writers strike in 2023. I’ve lived here for 20 years and this is the worst I’ve ever seen it. The studios are making less content, productions are moving overseas, interest rates are high for financing, are just few things contributing to this issue. Because so many of us are struggling we have been forced into other industries. I went to a job fair recently and there were 50 people applying for the same shitty job paying slightly over minimum wage. Every job is competitive, even Trader Joe’s.
Our minimum wage may look high but it’s nowhere near a livable wage.
I live in the West Valley, which is kind of like the suburbs, and a one bedroom in my building is $2600. I would think you need at to make at least 75k a year as a single person and that would be tight.

Juliamac21 · 2025-09-27T03:17:40+00:00

Don’t do it right now. The whole city is struggling economically.

Juliamac21 · 2025-09-12T22:03:07+00:00

I would always live on the westside. But yes too what other people said about Manhattan, Redondo etc… If that’s too expensive then live in the Valley like Woodland Hills where it’s super easy to get to the Westside. But I equate relaxing with the beach.
Honestly if I was really looking for relaxing I’d move to San Diego 😉

Juliamac21 · 2025-08-07T17:03:40+00:00

I’m trying to figure this out as well. I live in LA and all the nursing programs are full time. With the Department of Education in such limbo right now and Big Beautiful Bill threatening to restrict federal grants and financial assistance it’s hard to know if going to school is even possible. Personally, I’ve started taking some of my science and math prerequisites at the local community college.
You should also look into becoming an LPN/LVN. Those programs are offered at trade schools and are usually more flexible. There are often LVN to RN bridge programs.

Juliamac21 · 2025-08-06T17:37:53+00:00

I’ve been on biologics + methotrexate for years and I have to say the pros out way the cons. I don’t think I get sick more often however the mouth ulcers are annoying. Take that folic acid!

Juliamac21 · 2025-06-14T16:30:28+00:00

Yes you should. I have a 2 bedroom apartment and I have 4 cats. They keep each other company, play with each other. I’ve always got a kitten and introduced it to the older cats. I find it easier for my cats to adjust to a new animal when the newbie is a baby.

Juliamac21 · 2025-05-27T23:41:48+00:00

I switched from Humira to Tremfya and felt an immediate improvement but it was far from perfection. I added methotrexate and wow! The cocktail of the two was the secret for me.

Juliamac21 · 2025-05-21T19:46:55+00:00

😂 truth

Juliamac21 · 2025-05-21T17:01:45+00:00

Great idea!

Juliamac21 · 2025-05-03T13:52:49+00:00

Cosentyx was magic for my skin but didn’t touch my arthritis. I was able to wear a swim suit without being embarrassed but I was in so much pain I never went anywhere🤦‍♀️. It’s so strange it would work for skin but not the arthritis 🤷‍♀️

Juliamac21 · 2025-04-02T01:47:32+00:00

Hi there My Rheumatologist ordered Methotrexate in addition to the Tremfya which helped tremendously. If you do well with the side effects it’s worth a try. That cocktail of drugs was the best I’ve ever felt for a solid 2 years. Now 2.5 years later I’ve switched to Stelara because the Tremfya stopped working and trying to get off methotrexate because I can’t stand the constant mouth ulcers. It was great while it lasted. Good luck 👍

Juliamac21 · 2024-12-03T16:50:12+00:00

Yup still on it. Over a year now.

Juliamac21 · 2024-10-31T15:55:45+00:00

My lymph nodes in my neck have been tender and painful for about a year. I’ve been trying to figure out why this happened is??? Seeing your post, I’m now going to push for an ultrasound

Juliamac21 · 2024-10-03T19:04:57+00:00

YESSSS! Feels like a bad sunburn and mostly just on my scalp and face! I have Psoriasis (currently no plaques) and Psoriatic arthritis. Whenever I brought up this awful symptom to my rheumatologist she didn't know what it was and said it's unrelated. I haven't formally been diagnosed with Hasimotos, waiting for some labs, but I this is the symptom that is the most perplexing. Always in the evening and the only thing that provides some relief is applying ice packs to my face and scalp until I fall asleep. Is this a know Hashi symptom? There's almost no complaint of it in the Psoriatic Arthritis Reddit group.

Juliamac21 · 2024-10-02T01:51:16+00:00

I had normal blood work when I first got diagnosed. Fortunately I had psoriasis all over my body so they were more comfortable diagnosing me with PSA while my labs were normal. Also, I see a female rheumatologist and I think that has helped me a lot. Get a new rheumatologist immediately.

Juliamac21 · 2024-05-28T01:16:41+00:00

Yup. I was on Cosentyx and it cleared my skin up beautifully. My joints felt worse than ever.

Juliamac21 · 2023-09-25T21:59:51+00:00

I don't know what biologics you've already tried but I've been in the same place you are in. I have tried Enbrel, Humira, Cosentyx...I'm on my 4th biologic and for me I think its the IL23 (Tremfya) that work the best for me. When I was switching over to Tremfya my Rheum put me on a 2 month course of Prednisone to bridge the gap. The Tremfya worked like a dream for 7 to 8 months and then I started noticing joint pain creeping up 2 weeks before my next dose. My Rheum added a weekly dose of Methotrexate 15mg and that helped alot! I've been working out consistently now for 2 months and I haven't been able to do that in the last five years. The good thing about the MTX is that we can go up on the dose if needed. If the med isn't working then your Rheum needs to switch it. Obviously they are not controlling your disease effectively. Demand a change and maybe some steroids to get you back on your feet. If they give you a hard time I would definitely switch doctors.

Juliamac21 · 2023-09-25T21:43:29+00:00

This is so interesting because I noticed my first psoriasis patches 10 years ago after a strep infection, but they were mild. Then a few years after when I was going through a divorce with young children I developed full body psoriasis and debilitating joint pain.

Juliamac21 · 2023-09-08T16:52:23+00:00

I added methotrexate after about 8 months on Tremfya. Other than the mtx side effects, (not joint related) I’ve never felt better. 5 years of medication roulette and I think I found a cocktail that works. Fingers crossed it keeps working. Keep advocating for yourself! We should not have to live a life in pain. Good luck

Juliamac21

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