psoriatic-arthritis

meggyb123

hello, I have recently been diagnosed with this and I’m only just turning 30, iv suffered since 2018 but been left has they put it down to other things, I’m in constant agony even with everything they have gave me, I’m so so scared about having injections :( my mental health is taking a toll on me also coz I feel like I can’t do a lot of things and need so much help,

I don’t know if anyone can help after having leaving a job I’m just wondering if anyone on this group has been awarded any help with benefits or anywhere else?

Thank you Megan

Anna

Hello @meggyb123 and welcome to the online community,

Hearing a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis can be quite a shock and it’s understandable that you are worried about treatment. But it’s good that you e finally been given a diagnosis after all those years not knowing what is causing your pain.

There’s lots of information on the Versus Arthritis website about working with arthritis so I’ve put a link for you below. Hopefully other members will share their experiences with you and help to reassure you about what’s happening. You can always phone our helpline too - they are great to talk to, available every day, and can help with what your going through, including work related matters:

https://versusarthritis.org/get-help/helpline/

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/working-well-with-arthritis/guides-to-working/in-the-workplace/working-safely-and-well/

Best wishes to you,

Anna ( Moderator)

Arciere

Hi Megan

I am sorry to learn about your diagnosis.

You’ve arrived at a good place for help, there are lots of people here who have the same condition (Psoriatic Arthritis) and together we will all help you with our experiences and advice.

The good news is, there are things that will help you and, you will get better.

I know first hand how difficult it can be and how painful it is. I was diagnosed at 44? after mis diagnosis of other things.

What I found, is the Medics will try different drugs until they find something that works. You mention injections, so I wonder if you’ve already started down a path of medication? In any case, let me say that if you are prescribed a biological medication, which I think is usually injected, it is perfectly normal to be concerned about that. I certainly was - I couldn’t believe I would have to start injecting myself with a drug! However - it really is no trouble at all. I feel no pain from it and you don’t even see the needle. It’s like putting a thick pen on your leg and gently pushing it until you hear a click.

The other things that have helped me include;

- Changing Rheumatologist - my first was a robot, the second was genuinely concerned

-Rheumatology advice line. My hospital has one, you ring and leave a message for a specialist nurse and they call you back. The team near me are a very caring bunch of people. If your GP is difficult- look to see if there’s an advice line at your local hospital

- Steroids. Whether oral or injected - I got the most relief from these

- Hydration - I do accept that staying hydrated helps

-Foot spa - a bit of a gimmick but helped my foot pain in winter

-staying warm

For me the following things also helped but it’s totally personal - I haven’t the evidence to support it, although I feel great.

• removing all artificial sweeteners from my diet, I used to drink a lot of Diet Coke and squash. Now I drink water or Aqua Libra type cans (no sugar no sweetener). And I check everything to see if it has a artificial sweetener!
  
• removing all gluten. Since going gluten free, I literally feel like a new man. This is tough - I don’t tend to eat gluten free things - like gluten free bread - so it’s a change in thinking about diet.
  
• Removing all deadly night shade veg - tomatoes potatoes etc

Like I say, may all be an old tale and the biological medication may be the real cause, but it made me feel great so I’m sticking with it.

There’s a load of good stuff about benefits here; https://nras.org.uk/resource/benefits/

If you find the right employer, you should be supported. Go for larger employers because they will likely have forward thinking policies that aim to genuinely support employees to be at work. Although in a flare up, with the fatigue I understand work can be the absolute last thing anyone would want to do.