Hi everyone
i am new to this forum but not that new to PsA. I was diagnosed eighteen months ago after having to quit work due to having tendinitis in my right arm, which I used all the time. I couldn't keep up the pace at work, feeling tired all the time,poor memory and unable to bend and kneel down. After sitting for long periods of time I noticed I was very stiff in my hips and staggered for a few minutes after getting up. I thought maybe it's just old age.
At 52 and having worked full time and bringing up three children for many years I thought resigning from work would see my symptoms decrease. I thought that having a break would restore my health. But not so! The symptoms remained and slowly got worse. Within six months both my legs had swollen so much, especially around the ankles, someone remarked that it looked like elephantiasis! Living in the country I was not able to see the same doctor as they came and went so no-one knew what it was. I had my heart checked, no problems there. Bloods normal - just very low on iron.
A short time later my hands swelled and were very stiff and painful. Maybe arthritis? I was given Prednisolone 50mg and instantly overnight I lost most of the fluid and my aches and pains were much less in the proceeding weeks.
I was referred to a rheumatologist but was still coming off the high dose of Prednisolone at the time of my appt. four weeks later . I told the RD my symptoms and family history (sister with fibromyalgia and Ps). He examined me and saw I didn't have any joint problems so he looked at my medical history and saw that I was taking antidepressants and concluded that maybe I thought the symptoms were not as bad as they were!!!!!
Greencat
I'm sorry to hear you've had such issues with doctors but glad that you finally found one to listen to you. I have fibro and psoriatic arthritis and kidney disease. I have been on Enbrel for almost 3 months and have seen some improvment. Although not as much as I hoped. It took about a month for me to notice that I could move better when I first got out of bed, and when I have a flare up it does 't seem to last as long. I've started to do some massage therapy, just on my hands and feet. That's heaven. I hope you start to get some relief soon . Let us know how you're doing. Take care
allymomAllymom
thanks for your reply. It's good to hear from someone who has the same conditions as I have and is a little bit further into Enbrel Rx. Massage sounds like a good idea. Can you exercise much?
Greencat
Greencat
unfortunately not a lot. Being a mom to a 3 year old really takes up any free time I have after working full time. By the time I have her in bed for the night I can barely walk let alone get excercise. I use to love doing yoga but lately when I've tried it hurts my hands and feet so much it's hard to relax. Walking is pretty much the only thing I can do and that's only when my feet are not throbbing. Let me know if you find something that you can do. Take care.
AllymomGood Morning Green Cat and welcome to the forum. You're story is very much like mine. I had to quit my profession when I was 58 years old and diagnosed with PsA. Five years earlier I was diagnosed with a severe onset of RA and also along the way developed OA. PsA has been the most painful but not the most destructive.