Top Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment Excuses — Busted

Before you skip the next dose, talk to your doctor about what’s bothering you. “It’s always better to try to address the underlying issue, so you can continue taking your medication as prescribed or find better alternatives,” says Angelica Gierut, MD, a rheumatologist at Northwestern Medicine in Warrenville, Illinois.

Here are six reasons you may be tempted to stop taking medications — and why you shouldn’t.

1. The Disease Seems to Be in Remission

When psoriatic arthritis treatment is working well, you should experience few or no symptoms, such as joint pain and swelling. As a result, you might wonder why you have to continue taking the medication.

2. You’re Dissatisfied With Treatment

3. You’ve Already Missed One Dose

When life gets busy, it’s easy to occasionally forget to take medication. Missing a dose likely won’t cause a major arthritis flare, according to Dr. Gierut. But it’s important to get back on track as soon as possible.

4. You’re Dealing With Uncomfortable Side Effects

Call your doctor immediately if side effects are serious, such as a high fever, a major rash, or shortness of breath.

5. The Medication Is Too Expensive

The good news: Most insurance companies should cover a large portion of these prescription drug costs. Even with good insurance, though, the out-of-pocket costs for biologics can still be high.

If you’re having trouble paying for psoriatic arthritis medication, talk to your doctor. “Rheumatologists can suggest alternatives that may be less costly for patients,” Gierut says. Or your doctor may be able to help you find a drug assistance program to cover some of the costs, either through the drug’s manufacturer or private foundations.

6. You Prefer Natural Remedies

Before adding complementary therapies to a psoriatic arthritis treatment plan, carefully review your options with your rheumatologist.

The Takeaway

• Stopping psoriatic arthritis treatment on your own often leads to an increase in symptoms and flares and can lead to disease progression.
• Be open and honest with your doctor about any issues preventing you from sticking to the treatment plan.
• Together, you and your doctor can come up with a solution to keep psoriatic arthritis under control.

Additional reporting by Nina Wasserman.