Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic disease, which means that it is long-lasting and symptoms may get better or worse on a day-to-day basis. A chronic illness like PsA may never fully go away, but there are ways to manage your symptoms.
“Often, we're trying to treat the disease, but we really can't cure these diseases,” says Lisa Imundo, MD, Rheumatologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
To manage PsA, you may need to take medication on a regular basis to prevent or reduce the number of psoriatic arthritis flares.
What happens when you’re in remission for psoriatic arthritis?
One of the treatment goals for PsA is to achieve remission and prevent flares. Remission refers to when you are experiencing little or no symptoms of PsA. While you are in remission for PsA, you may be feeling well, with minimal psoriasis rashes or joint pain, and able to do all your activities normally.
It can be tempting to stop taking your psoriatic arthritis medication if you’re in remission. If you do this, you may increase the risk of having a flare, according to Dr. Imundo. You may actually end up feeling worse than you did before you started the medication.
“Sometimes it takes even more medicine to get you back under control,” she says. “We really would prefer if you stay on the medication the way it's prescribed and continue to see your doctor on a regular basis.”
In other words, stay on your medication the way it’s prescribed and continue to see your provider regularly.
Is it ever possible to come off a medication if you’re in remission?
In some cases — if you are feeling well and experiencing remission from your PsA — your provider may suggest adjusting your medication. This may include decreasing the dose or switching to a less aggressive treatment option.
Some people may be able to stay in remission for psoriatic arthritis without medication, says Dr. Imundo, but this doesn’t always happen. That’s why decisions about your medication should always be made with your care team.
“We need to be careful when we're reducing or stopping your medication,” Dr. Imundo explains. “It's important for you to continue to check in with your doctors to make sure things really are going well.”
Lisa Imundo, MD is a board-certified Rheumatologist at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center.
References
American College of Rheumatology. (2021). Psoriatic arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). How to achieve remission in psoriatic arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Managing psoriatic arthritis flares.
Why trust our experts?
