First of all, you are doing an amazing job — managing psoriatic arthritis while caring for a 12-week-old is no small feat. Hang in there! While the sulfasalazine kicks in, there are several ways to help manage the pain in the meantime.
Here are some options worth exploring with your doctor:
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) Show Full Answer
First of all, you are doing an amazing job — managing psoriatic arthritis while caring for a 12-week-old is no small feat. Hang in there! While the sulfasalazine kicks in, there are several ways to help manage the pain in the meantime.
Here are some options worth exploring with your doctor:
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) are often a first line of defense against psoriatic arthritis pain and can help reduce inflammation. Always check with your doctor before starting these, especially postpartum.
- Steroid injections into specific swollen joints can provide quick, targeted relief and may be worth asking your doctor about for your most problematic joints.
- Hot and cold therapy can be done at home easily. Heat helps loosen stiff joints in the morning, while cold packs can reduce swelling and pain. Experiment to see what works best for you.
- Gentle movement — even short walks — helps keep joints mobile and can improve sleep and mood. Don't push through severe pain, but gentle motion really does help.
- Physical or occupational therapy can be a game-changer. An occupational therapist in particular can help you find safer, less painful ways to do daily tasks — including caring for your baby.
- Joint support devices like braces or splints can help stabilize painful joints during daily tasks.
- Acupuncture has shown some benefit for psoriatic arthritis pain with minimal side effects, and is worth considering as a complementary option. On the diet front, cutting sugar is a great instinct! An anti-inflammatory diet is commonly recommended for psoriatic arthritis. Reducing sugar helps lower overall inflammation in the body, which is the root cause of psoriatic arthritis pain.
A MyPsoriasisTeam member shared that changing their exercise routine, adjusting physical therapy, and identifying triggering foods brought meaningful relief. Another member noted that improving their diet alongside exercise left them nearly symptom-free for close to a year.
It's always a good idea to loop your doctor in on any significant dietary changes, especially while postpartum. But generally, focusing on whole foods, reducing processed sugars, and eating more anti-inflammatory foods (like leafy greens, fatty fish, and berries) is a solid, safe step in the right direction.
You've got a great support system in your husband, and you're clearly fighting hard for yourself and your family — that matters enormously. 💛
August 17
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