Actually diagnosed now!

annalou

Hi guys, I haven't posted for a while, I've been waiting for ultrasound scan results etc and this week finally, the rheumy has diagnosed me with PsA, which was what was suspected. I have inflammation in both feet and hands which has shown up on scans and I'm struggling with Achilles tendonitis at the mo, which she says is another symptom! She thinks it's been rumbling on in the background, 20 years ago I had two bouts of Achilles tendonitis which came on after no injury and episcleritis about 12 years ago, various aches and pains since lol!!

Incidentally my bloods tests have all come back normal, it's no wonder people struggle to get diagnosed.

I've been given 15mg methotrexate to start taking, all very scary and not sure when's best to take it, i'm thinking sunday evening as have a day off Monday with only my 2yr old so I can take it easy for the day?!? And, then I'm back to the rheumy nurse every 2 weeks for monitoring upping the mtx to 20mg gradually.

I've also been referred to the podiatrist as feet are bad.

I really hope this is the wonder drug, I'm happy for the diagnosis because it explains alot but feel gutted about having this disease!!

vwkamper

Hi,

What a relief it is to get told what your problem's are i hate waiting too...

At least you know where you stand and are getting it dealt with now sorry you have this curse tho' any arthritis is bad but the feet must be unbareable as your always putting your full body weight on them.

I have o/a in my lower spine and my doc said that it's working it's way up but he said he worries about my right hip and sent me for x-rays now i have to wait till the 2nd of April for my results and treatment plan.

vwkamper.

dreamdaisy

Hi annalou, well that is good news as it is far easier to battle with a known enemy than an unknown. PsA is a tricky one to diagnose as it is a sero-negative form of arthritis, I was lucky in that my ESR and CRP were always very high so it was thought I had some form of inflammatory arthritis, then the skin obliged with the P part and off we went! It did no alter the treatment I was having however, namely meth and sulphasalazine.

I think your thinking about the meth is good, but may I proffer another thought? I don't know how busy your Sundays are (mine aren't) so maybe doing the meth on the Saturday could give you two quieter days to get over any trouble: I know that meth is notorious for side effects but I can honestly say that I am very rarely troubled by any and I sincerely hope that proves to be the case with you. Like you my feet are affected, ankles too, and I also have trouble with my right Achilles tendon - apparently I have a lump on it. :shock: I also get bouts of plantar fascitis which is a blasted nuisance.

The best of luck with it, annalou, I hope it helps sooner rather than later
and that you don't have any trouble with it. DD

barbara12

Hi annalou
It makes such a difference when you get diagnosed, now you know what you are up against.
Strange really but half the battle is knowing, I really do wish you well with everything xx

annalou

Yes it is good to know what I'm up against, until you get diagnosis you can start to feel as though it's all in your head particulary if the medics say it will go away on its own, GPs do seem to like to er on the side of caution, it doesn't help either when you get normal blood results.

DD - I think I may take your advice and take the Meth tonight and fingers crossed for no or few side effects! Like you say, that way I'll have tomorrow and monday to get myself sorted. I think I'll be waiting for something to happen as soon as I pop the pills after all that I've read, although I realise that you hear about the side effects and less about the people who don't get the side effects.

dreamdaisy

Take them before bed, that way you will sleep through any potential intial yuckiness. Don't sit there waiting to feel odd, just tell yourself they are there to help and make things better and I hope they do just that.

Meth gets a very bad press, those who are doing well on it tend to rarely post simply because they are getting on OK. It's those who don't who post so the view of it is very one-sided which is a pity. It can be an effective treatment for some and I hope you fall into that category. I wish you well. DD

Colin1

Hi Anna yes its great to be able to stick a label on it i have both PA and RA
The Methotrexate was really good with me when i first started i think i started on 12 1/2 and it rose to 25mg injections as the tablets upset my tummy. but it worked for ages along with the prednisolone. I hope it all works out well for you. Keep us updated. Sunday night sounds good if your off work monday as they can make you feel a little unwell at first. However i doubt looking after a 2 year old is easy LOL
Take care
Colin

jaja

Hi annalou...glad you have got a diagnosis now...please excuse me for asking i dont know what PsA stands for...i spend lots of time trying to work out what these acronyms ,that are used,are...lol..am i alone?...all the best...JAJA

annalou

Hi Java, PsA or PA is Psoriatic Arthritis. HTH (hope this helps)

I'll let you all know how I get on, thanks for your replies.

PS little update, now looking like Sunday evening as eldest son is poorly and not looking like a good night's kip tonight