Health Boards
Sat-21-09-2019, 21:46 PM
I first got it it aged 30 I think it was and at the time it was in my thumb but soon spread to my toes. After trying methotrexate for a couple of months I decided to go it alone and just live on pain killers as and when I needed them.
That worked for me, or as I thought. I hadn't realised how bad it was and how far I had let it go, I should have got more help but to be honest I no longer had trust in those treating me, so just carried on with anything to keep the pain away.
Walking became difficult and even today I have a couple of wonky toes because I left it so long, one day I got a shock when Mrs Fred said to me "Do you want me to cut your food up"
I hadn't realised it was that bad, but she was right I was living in a huge amount of pain.
Being my stubborn self I still kept plodding on until one day I had to ask her to help me get dressed, and at breakfast I couldn't lift my coffee cup. I reluctantly agreed to see our doctor now we were living in France, thinking it couldn't be any worse than the UK and I really do need help.
I was pleasantly surprised to be sent to a specialist dermatology department in the big city within a week or so. They couldn't understand why I had lived that long in such a state, and they were so good to me and today I am still being very well looked after.
They interviewed me and listened to my concerns and suggested I try a bio (Remicade) They even helped me organize the 100% reimbursement, and the rest is in my many threads about my journey.
From not being able to move and do things myself, I got my life back and thanks to Cosentyx the psoriatic arthritis is in in remission. I don't know how long that will last, but having lived years in pain I will take the relief.
Psoriatic arthritis can be managed with a few pain killers, but it sure as hell can strike you down. My next step was probably a wheelchair living a miserable life and being a burden to my wife, but today I can almost do what most at my age can do and it feels good.
Anyone reading this that thinks they have psoriatic arthritis or does have it, please do keep an eye on things and don't put up with the pain you will regret it later on.
*Thank you to Kat for the suggestion of this thread, I had never thought of having a dedicated thread for psoriatic arthritis. (Much like I never thought it would take over my life, but it did and I'm lucky to come out the other side)
Psoriatic arthritis is horrible if you let it get too far, so don't be a fool like I was and get it checked out or at least keep a close eye on it.
That worked for me, or as I thought. I hadn't realised how bad it was and how far I had let it go, I should have got more help but to be honest I no longer had trust in those treating me, so just carried on with anything to keep the pain away.
Walking became difficult and even today I have a couple of wonky toes because I left it so long, one day I got a shock when Mrs Fred said to me "Do you want me to cut your food up"
I hadn't realised it was that bad, but she was right I was living in a huge amount of pain. Being my stubborn self I still kept plodding on until one day I had to ask her to help me get dressed, and at breakfast I couldn't lift my coffee cup. I reluctantly agreed to see our doctor now we were living in France, thinking it couldn't be any worse than the UK and I really do need help.
I was pleasantly surprised to be sent to a specialist dermatology department in the big city within a week or so. They couldn't understand why I had lived that long in such a state, and they were so good to me and today I am still being very well looked after.
They interviewed me and listened to my concerns and suggested I try a bio (Remicade) They even helped me organize the 100% reimbursement, and the rest is in my many threads about my journey.
From not being able to move and do things myself, I got my life back and thanks to Cosentyx the psoriatic arthritis is in in remission. I don't know how long that will last, but having lived years in pain I will take the relief.
Psoriatic arthritis can be managed with a few pain killers, but it sure as hell can strike you down. My next step was probably a wheelchair living a miserable life and being a burden to my wife, but today I can almost do what most at my age can do and it feels good.
Anyone reading this that thinks they have psoriatic arthritis or does have it, please do keep an eye on things and don't put up with the pain you will regret it later on.
*Thank you to Kat for the suggestion of this thread, I had never thought of having a dedicated thread for psoriatic arthritis. (Much like I never thought it would take over my life, but it did and I'm lucky to come out the other side)
Psoriatic arthritis is horrible if you let it get too far, so don't be a fool like I was and get it checked out or at least keep a close eye on it.