Worried about Arthritis and seeing Doctor - Newbie

peanut08
peanut08 Member Posts: 3
Hi im a newbie - 8 years ago I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis and I believe they said spondylitis(?) my apologies if spelling not great - at the time I had some physio and was told to take Omega 3 tablets and after seeing specialist twice the matter was left. Since then I have had increasing fatigue/joint pain - knees, wrists, upper and lower back - toe joints painful and fingers are becoming "mis-shapen". About 3 years ago the pain and fatigue started to worsen. Unfortunately I also suffer with depression and anxiety and when seeing a Doctor they will often see this first before the arthritis problem. I have in the past two years become agoraphobic and have sever panic attacks. Before Christmas I explained to the Doctor (by the way this is a new Doctor due to a house move) that I was hurting etc and he asked me to go for an x-ray for a "diagnosis" (it was almost like starting again from 8 years ago)- I have been unable to do so because of my agoraphobia. At the end of Dec I felt ill and put it down to cold/flu - now some 4 weeks later I am still feeling unwell - flu like symptoms - my joints in my fingers are very painful and one finger in particular has changed shape. One knee in particular is painful and I find walking and going up and downstairs painful. I have a very strange sensation in my legs as well almost like I have no strength in them (which I have tried to explain to the Doctors but with no success). My finger nails are awful at the moment and in October was given some steroid cream by Doctor but told there is no real cure for Psoriasis of finger nail.
Sorry I have gone on a little - basically - I dont think I have ever felt so "under the weather" - my joints and flu like symptoms are not helping me to go out and I think I have been in a vicious circle for the last two years - I was tired and hurting - felt a bit depressed - went to Dr - told oh its your anxiety - and it snow balled really - the more drained I felt the less I wanted to do - the less I did the more I stayed in the house and so on (I have these flu-like/fatigue outbreaks quite regularly)

I really dont know how to go to the Doctor and ask for help because whenever I go they place it all on anxiety etc and I dont think it all is. Would you give any advice on whether the arthritis can make you feel "fluy/unwell" and how to tackle the Doctor.

Many thanks and Im sorry for going on and not making much sense!!

Comments

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Peanut

    I am so sorry you are having such a horrible time at the moment. I noticed in your post that you have mentioned nothing about actually being treated for the Psoriatic Arthritis. Are you taking medication for this? If not you really need to be under the care of a rheumatologist. With any type of inflammatory arthritis it is common to experience flu like symptoms. There are effective treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis. In case you need more information on Psoriatic Arthritis here is a link to the ARC booklet http://www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6029/6029.asp.

    Another organization you might find useful is: http://www.paalliance.org/
    They produce a magazine and in issue 27, 2008 page 13 there is an article about the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath doing current research in Psoriatic Arthritis, in particular a Methotrexate nail study, whereby they are recruiting for a study of topical Methotrexate Cream to evaluate its effectiveness in thick and damaged nails. For more information contact the clinical trials team on 01225 465941 ext 358.

    I hope this helps. If you feel it might help to talk to someone just pick up the phone. I realise things are very difficult for you right now including going out to get treatment but if we can help by giving you the right information please private message us with your full name and postal address.

    If you are feeling this bad it is important to get the right treatment soon, and if you don't have a rheumatologist, you may need to start by getting a referral.

    Best wishes

    Simona
  • peanut08
    peanut08 Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Peanut

    I am so sorry you are having such a horrible time at the moment. I noticed in your post that you have mentioned nothing about actually being treated for the Psoriatic Arthritis. Are you taking medication for this? If not you really need to be under the care of a rheumatologist. With any type of inflammatory arthritis it is common to experience flu like symptoms. There are effective treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis. In case you need more information on Psoriatic Arthritis here is a link to the ARC booklet http://www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6029/6029.asp.

    Another organization you might find useful is: http://www.paalliance.org/
    They produce a magazine and in issue 27, 2008 page 13 there is an article about the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath doing current research in Psoriatic Arthritis, in particular a Methotrexate nail study, whereby they are recruiting for a study of topical Methotrexate Cream to evaluate its effectiveness in thick and damaged nails. For more information contact the clinical trials team on 01225 465941 ext 358.

    I hope this helps. If you feel it might help to talk to someone just pick up the phone. I realise things are very difficult for you right now including going out to get treatment but if we can help by giving you the right information please private message us with your full name and postal address.

    If you are feeling this bad it is important to get the right treatment soon, and if you don't have a rheumatologist, you may need to start by getting a referral.



    Best wishes

    Simona

    thanks for that - no im not taking or receiving any treatment at the moment - im just at a loss as to trying to explain myself to the dr - everytime i go they dismiss it as anxiety symptoms or depression