Your doctor or rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in arthritis and related conditions) can help you find ways to effectively manage psoriatic arthritis (PsA). If you have been recently diagnosed, have questions about PsA, or are not sure how your treatment is progressing, talking to your doctor can help you take control of your condition so that you can live life on your own terms.

Use this doctor discussion guide to help you talk to your doctor about psoriatic arthritis. Fill in the blanks, then print off your answers and bring them to your doctor’s appointment.

Doctor Discussion Guide: Talking About Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

Doctor Discussion Guide: Talking About Psoriatic Arthritis

1.	Age:
2.	Have you been diagnosed with AS?
	I have NOT been diagnosed with PsA.
3.	What kind of symptoms do you have?

4.	How many days of work have you missed in the last month due to PsA issues (e.g., symptoms, clinic appointments)?
	I did not miss any days of work in the last month due to PsA issues.
5.	How many times in the last month have you cancelled social plans due to PsA issues (e.g., symptoms, clinic appointments)?
	I did not cancel any social plans in the last month due to PsA issues.
6.	How often do you require help in performing at least one of your daily activities (e.g., preparing meals, getting dressed, shopping for groceries, doing housework)?
	I require help performing at least one of my daily activities, such as preparing meals, getting dressed, shopping for groceries, or doing housework,
7.	7. Has your doctor taken images of your joints using X-rays or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to monitor the radiographic progression of your PsA? (Radiographic progression uses X-rays and MRI images to show how PsA is affecting your joints, bones, and nearby tissues over time)
	My doctor has not performed tests to track the radiographic progression of my PsA.
8.	Which of the following are you doing to help manage your PsA?
	I do the following to help manage my PsA: I do not do the following and would like to learn how these can help me manage PsA: medications regular physical activity and exercises to help with my symptoms assistive devices joint protection (learning ways to use joints so that I am not putting more stress on them) physiotherapy healthy eating heat or cold therapy proper skin care
9.	What medications(s) are you currently using to treat AS?
	I am not currently using a medication to treat my PsA.
10.	Are you experiencing side effects from your PsA treatment?
	I am not experiencing any side effects from my PsA treatment.
11.	Is your current treatment meeting your expectations?
	My current treatment is meeting my expectations.
12.	Is your current treatment meeting your expectations?
	My current treatment is easy to fit into my life.

This doctor discussion guide can help you consider the issues you would like to go over with your doctor about how you can manage PsA. It can help you organize your thoughts and questions. It may also make it easier to get the conversation started while you are at your doctor’s office. This guide can also provide your doctor with more information about your symptoms, how it affects your life, and any treatment concerns.

Print this guide and bring it with you to your doctor’s office. You and your doctor can work together to find a PsA treatment plan that will give you a solution for life.

The contents of this site are for informational purposes only and are meant to be discussed with your physician or other qualified health care professional before being acted on. Never disregard any advice given to you by your doctor or other qualified health care professional. Always seek the advice of a physician or other licensed health care professional regarding any questions you have about your medical condition(s) and treatment(s). This site is not a substitute for medical advice.
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1.	What is your age?

2.	Have you been diagnosed with PsA? (check one)
	Yes No
3.	What kind of symptoms do you have? (check all that apply)
	pain, swelling, stiffness, and warmth in my joints, especially my fingers and toes itchy, silvery or grey skin rash, especially on my elbows, knees or scalp feeling stiff in the morning fatigue fingernails or toenails that lift up from the skin or are pitted with small holes eye symptoms such as blurred vision, eye pain, eye redness, light sensitivity stomach problems other:
4.	How many days of work have you missed in the last month due to PsA issues (e.g., symptoms, clinic appointments)?

5.	How many times in the last month have you cancelled social plans due to PsA issues (e.g., symptoms, clinic appointments)?

6.	How often do you require help in performing at least one of your daily activities (e.g., preparing meals, getting dressed, shopping for groceries, doing housework)?
	never once or twice a week three or four times a week five or more times a week
7.	Has your doctor taken images of your joints using X-rays or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to monitor the radiographic progression of your PsA? (Radiographic progression uses X-rays and MRI images to show how PsA is affecting your joints, bones, and nearby tissues over time)
	Yes No
8.	Which of the following are you doing to help manage your PsA? (check all that apply)
	medications regular physical activity and exercises to help with my symptoms physiotherapy assistive devices joint protection (learning ways to use joints so that I am not putting more stress on them) healthy eating heat or cold therapy proper skin care
9.	What medications(s) are you currently using to treat PsA? (check all that apply)
	Biologic - e.g., Enbrel® (etanercept), Humira® (adalimumab), Remicade® (infliximab), Simponi® (golimumab) Corticosteroid - e.g., Cortef® (hydrocortisone), Depo-Medrol® (methylprednisolone) DMARD - e.g., Methotrexate® (methotrexate), Myochrysine® (sodium aurothiomalate) NSAID - e.g., Aspirin® (acetylsalicylic acid), Ansaid® (flurbiprofen), Advil® or Motrin® (ibuprofen), Naprosyn® (naproxen) Pain reliever - e.g., Tylenol® (acetaminophen) with or without codeine, Codeine Contin® (codeine) The name(s) of the medication(s) I am using for my PsA is/are:
10.	Are you experiencing side effects from your PsA treatment?
	Yes No Fill in the side effects you are having from your PsA treatment:
11.	Is your current treatment meeting your expectations?
	Yes No Why is your current treatment not meeting your expectations?
12.	Do you feel your current treatment is easy to fit into your life?
	Yes No Why is your current treatment not easy to fit into your life?