PSA battles

Josiejo2525

Hi

i am new to this group but wanted to reach out to someone who would understand. I have been living with PSA for 7 years. I am finding my symptoms are getting progressively worse. I have been experiencing pain in my hip which makes driving and walking difficult. I had a blood test a few months back which showed my uric acid was slightly up. Since then my DR just keeps saying I have gout and the pain is from gout. I know it’s not but my request for different meds or more support were met with advice on stopping drinking. I’m not a big drinker - Xmas only really.

can anyone give me advice on easing the pain. I’ve tried stretching and I do walk a lot. But I’m struggling to get up the stairs and I’m only 42.

sorry for the long post.

Tom

Welcome to the Forum, @Josiejo2525 .Two routine matters first. All first posts are moderated before being moved to the forum, hence the delay in any response to your first post. Secondly, posts of any length are welcome. The more you post the more connected you become.

I understand that you have been living with PSA for the past 7 years, the pain increasing recently. You are also dissatisfied with the advice you receive from your doctor. Is this your GP, or are you seeing a rheumatologist?

Here are some links to our website which I hope will help your understanding of the conditions and help you deal with them:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/search?query=gout

https://www.versusarthritis.org/search?query=Psoriatic+arthritis

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

I am sure that you will receive more comments from our members.

Tom, Moderator,

jamieA

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/57225/psa-battles

Hi @Josiejo2525

I can really empathise and can only suggest you put in writing a request to be referred to another doctor. That's what I did and my treatment regime was changed a month later for the better - I was put on biologics. Eight months later I'm under a new rheumatologist who has actually spent more time examining me than at any time in the previous 16 months.

alexander1

Have you seen a rhumatoidologist? Had MRIs/X-rays?

I agree with others don’t leave it chase and demand from GP appropriate referalls.

mid you haven’t and can’t get anyone to refer you find out who the local rhumatoidologist that you would see and ( I know it’s not good) book an initial private consultation with same Doctor which for me was a 4 week wait instead of the 39 I was told. He gave me the once over and said it’s probably psoriasis arthritis and wanted to run a bunch of tests. Told him I need to go back on NHS which he was happy to do and they can do.

take care

Josiejo2525

Thanks both

I have a rheumatologist and agree that I need to seek better care. I think it all gets on top of you sometimes and you just need to hear from people who are going through the same.

thank-you for the reply

DorothyParker

Hi. I have PsA, also for 7 years (though my back and hip pain go back to my early 20s, it was never treated until I started getting other joint pains in my mid-late 30s). My hip pain got progressively worse and I had x-rays and MRIs that all said my hip was normal. Eventually I had a pelvic MRI that showed bilateral sacroiliitis, which is apparently very common in PsA as it shares a lot of features with ankylosing spondylitis/axial spondyloarthritis. I'm told my hip pain is due to that.

I'm not convinced, but I'm sure it's related in another way. Keep moving is the best advice I can give. Sitting and being inactive is the worst thing for it. You can find some physio exercises online and if you have a hydrotherapy pool nearby I strongly recommend hydrotherapy even if just to get a break from the pain and stiffness. Maybe just having a float in a regular swimming pool would help too.

alexander1

Just been for a float in hydrotherapy at our local place. Expensive to book privately at £50 but enjoyable with the family.