Hello All, I have psoriatic arthritis

Femalegannet
Femalegannet Member Posts: 9
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:04 in Living with arthritis
Hi, I'm a 67 yr old female diagnosed with PsA at 54 ish.
It's funny how you ignore aches and pains for years without worrying too much but then..........
I'd had various itchy areas for a year or 2 but not bothered seeing anyone other than homeopath who said they were manifestations of an internal problem. Well he was right !
Problems with knees and feet for 10+ years were because I was on my feet a lot and didn't drive so walked everywhere esp on hols up and down hills/small mountains.
Problems with hands, elbows and shoulders were because they were used a lot 😁
I've learned I should have followed up on these symptoms more and not just accepted ' it's arthritis' take painkillers.
I'm having a bad patch at the moment so I thought I'd share/moan !

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, I began an unspecified auto-immune arthritis in 1997, began the meds in 2002, was accurately diagnosed in 2006 with PsA (which changed nothing) and have gone in to develop osteoarthritis too. I was 37 when it began so am a few years ahead of you.

    PsA is an auto-immune arthritis so has nothing to do with overusing joints, for whatever reasons your immune system has decided to fire up and attack your body. One of the reasons my diagnosis took so long was the fact that I did not have much psoriasis - in fact none at all until October 2006 when it appeared so the medical penny dropped. I was born with auto-immune issues so for me it was no surprise when it began but it was a shock to be diagnosed with OA as I thought I'd ticked the arthritis box. What meds have you been given to bring things under control? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    If I've read this correctly, you have PsA but not seen a rheumatologist for many years. I think you really need to make this a priority. You need disease modifying meds to help control it. Please let's know how you get on.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Femalegannet
    Femalegannet Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've just spent an hour on a post and I'm not sure it's posted.I
    If it has ignore this, it is hasn't I'll try again later 😬
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That sounds as though you were timed out, the system can do that but I don't know how long before it does. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Femalegannet
    Femalegannet Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all, thank you for welcoming me.
    Sorry its taken so long to get my act together ! that's what you get for trying to do it on a small tablet with dodgy fingers.
    my original post was quite sarcastic aimed at me for ignoring/dismissing my symptoms for so long. I was a nurse for 30 years and i should have known better.
    My history is probably similar to many of you, diagnosed with PsA in 2008 and immediately started on Sulphasalazine. Methotrexate was added in 2012 when i started injections.
    I'd already been diagnosed with OA in both knees years before, had plantar fasciitis and trochanteric bursitis both hips. My hands had been painful after long use and claw-like on waking for 12 months or so. Oh and trigger finger, that's fun too.
    The skin problem started about 2 years before with small patches (the size of a golf ball) only initially on knee after a fall.
    Finally after a diagnosis of psoriasis I did some reading but I'd never heard of Psoriatic Arthritis !
    I see my rheumatologist yearly as Ive been managing OK.
    The medication did and does help greatly but i do think I'm worsening (or just getting older). I manage the pain with paracetamol and codeine and ibuprofen gel. I was advised to stop/reduce Nsaids when hypertension kicked in. I'm adding it more often at the moment though.
    Currently I could chop off my feet and my legs hurt on standing/walking. I don't drive so need to keep pushing through it I'm having trouble describing it to health professionals as i can't pinpoint where its coming from. I thought it might be circulatory but GP feels its not although i do have Varicose veins. I had Xray on my knees yesterday to see if its them causing it. I've had similar pain in the past but not as extreme and not lasting as long.
    anyone have similar pain?
    Well that's me, sorry to go on so long. B
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Small tablet and dodgy fingers? Oh tell me about it :roll: One reason why I rarely post on here in the evening. By day, I have access to the desktop. Well, by night too but, by then, the recliner beckons :oops:

    You've clearly done a thorough job with two forms of arthritis plus several add-ons. Should I congratulate or commiserate? Also, most of us who have done the double acquired our OA as a result of the autoimmune arthritis not being treated early enough with DMARDS. You seem to have done things the other way round. Unless, of course, it was PsA all along and just misdiagnosed. Too late now. Join the club :D

    The bad news is I can't really relate to your leg pain. I've had hips and knees replaced and my ankles have fused themselves but I can't remember a time when I didn't know where the pain was coming from. Certainly, pain makes us move awkwardly which can mess up joints and muscles further down so I guess that could possibly account for your 'full leg' pain but it just doesn't seem likely to me. Not in a way that would defy analysis of where it's originating. Though, if the main problem is the feet, that would throw out of kilter everything above it. Have you ever seen an orthotist? Orthotic insoles might help. And physio. I'm a physio bore but, without it and my surgical shoes, I wouldn't have been able to walk for years.

    Oh and do be careful with the NSAIDS and BP. Do you have a BP monitor at home? They're cheap and not-so-cheerful and not even very accurate but they do give an idea of where we're at re BP. I've always been as active as the arthritis will permit, I have a good diet and a good weight and I don't smoke yet still I have to take twice as many BP meds as my overweight-and-still-stuffing-himself husband. Am I bitter? You bet :lol:

    Sorry, I can't think of anything else right now.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Femalegannet
    Femalegannet Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks sticky wicket for your reply. It cheered me up !
    I too prefer to use desktop pc but cannot be bothered to turn it on some days.
    're orthotics, yes I have insoles and they work some days. I bought some extra ones so have them for most footwear, but what footwear are comfortable one day can can be uncomfortable the next. Luckily (for my daughter) she is similar size so gets the nearly new cast offs 😢
    I do keep an eye on my blood pressure too. Thank you for the reminder re Nsaids, I need to be more careful. Weight is a work in progress 😒
    I've found a great private physio who is very hands on but I'm not good at doing the exercises cos they hurt so he keeps telling me off 😬😇
    I think I should move on from the hello forum but need to work out if I can move this chat over. That's a job for another day. B
  • Femalegannet
    Femalegannet Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Question: why do my imojis go so big?
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I found if I used the emojis on my tablet they turned into giants and are, frankly, visually uncomfortable. I always check my posts so they were easy to remove by using the edit facility. If needed I use the ones to the left of the reply box.

    I have both PsA in my toes and knees plus OA in my ankles, knees and hips. I regard my orthotics as preventative rather than curative, on the majority of days I don't bother with them as they aggravate rather than relieve.

    I had to smile when I read you were a nurse, over my unhealthy years of being treated by healthy medics I can only conclude they are well-versed in the theory of illness. Now you're seeing it from the other side of the fence - I think you've discovered it's a very low fence and a totally different ball game to the one you thought was being played.

    I think only the mods can move threads, leave this one here and people who are genuinely interested will find it. Whether they reply or not is a different matter. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Femalegannet - Question: why do my imojis go so big?


    A technical problem: modern smartphone emojis post-date the forum software which doesn't know how to handle them. This will probably be solved when Versus Arthritis launch a new forum with modern software.


    dreamdaisy wrote:
    DreamDaisy - I found if I used the emojis on my tablet they turned into giants and are, frankly, visually uncomfortable. I always check my posts so they were easy to remove by using the edit facility. If needed I use the ones to the left of the reply box.


    As well as the "Smilies" found at the side of the reply box, you can also post the code from various other websites that host Smily Icons:

    https://cosgan.de/smilie.php?wahl=0&ziel=froehlich


    Femalegannet - I think I should move on from the hello forum but need to work out if I can move this chat over.


    Would you like this thread moved?

    Perhaps just start a new thread on Living With Arthritis and we can post a link to it from here.

    Brynmor
    a010.gif
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Brynmor and thank you - I loved the cosgans but now I am on an Android yoga book (which I loathe) they are beyond my feeble computery skills. Do you have a spare three year old who could come and give me a lesson? :lol: DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Femalegannet
    Femalegannet Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ah I see, I was replying on a kindle tab so that was it. lesson learned.
    when I'm ready I'll start another post/thread. thanks for the advice.

    Yes DD i get where you are coming from re healthcare its hard work being a patient. I have to say I feel it was better in my day (I sound like an old f**t), nurses were better advocates as they had time to get to know the patients problems. My defense is I did surgery and my knowledge of medicine/rheumatology was lacking.
    B
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    're orthotics, yes I have insoles and they work some days. I bought some extra ones so have them for most footwear, but what footwear are comfortable one day can can be uncomfortable the next.



    Are these orthotic insoles made by the orthotics dept? I know people talk about 'orthotics' now but only mean bought ones which are not specifically made to measure. My understanding is limited as I've had no option but to wear surgical shoes with orthotic insoles for hundreds of years :wink: but I think if they're not worn virtually all the time, we won't get the benefit.

    As for nurses previously having more time with patients, that's so true. My first TKRs were in 1981 and I was in hospital for three weeks. When one was revised about 10 years ago I was in hospital about 3 days. It aint rocket science :lol:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Femalegannet
    Femalegannet Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes my insoles are from orthotics, the sort she used can be bought on line so I did.. She then adds the extra bits on for me. 3 different but to support in different places.
    I know I should wear them everyday and most days I do but some shoes are more comfy without. I can't wear the same pair of shoes for 2 days on the run, sometimes I don't last even a day.
    I hate my feet !!!!!
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's a tough one, isn't it? Bare feet hurt, shoes cause further hurt, my orthotics likewise. I think the reason is my psoriatic arthritis. :wink: Some shoes aggravate the OA in my ankles and/or knees which is hardly surprising as once the damage is done it cannot be undone. It's been so many years since I walked without pain I cannot remember how it felt. I can truly empathise. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Femalegannet
    Femalegannet Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks, it does help a little knowing others out there understand, I just wish there was an answer !
    I'm having less aching on walking over the last week so its not even consistent, that could be due to the increase in codeine though.
    Luckily i don't need senna to combat the constipation effects either as a bag of crisps does the trick :lol: Although I love them, my bowels don't so its a nice unhealthy treat.
    I'm waiting for knee Xray results to see if its my knees making things worse but I'm not sure knowing makes it more manageable.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Over my arthritic years I have concluded that the OA pain and possible inflammation is localised to whatever area I have over-worked, which eases with rest and pain relief, whereas the PsA affects my whole body and nothing improves it until the meds get it back under control.

    You have a medical background but you specialised; why would you know anything about arthritis? We only find out properly about stuff when it affects us, I knew that psoriatic arthritis existed because Dennis Potter had it but never thought I had it as I do not have much of the psoriasis. Now I know better. PsA affects the joints differently to other types of auto-immune arthritis by causing inflammation in the enthesis and tendons which attach the muscles and ligaments to the bones. Bleurgh. OA erodes cartilage - bleurgh upon bleurgh. I'm still written up on some hospital notes as having RA which narks me but as the meds are exactly the same it's not really that vital. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben