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Hi, I'm new here and just been diagnosed...

Posted , 11 users are following.

Zita2323
Zita2323

hello everyone, my name is Zita and I'm 40 years old, mum to 2 girls 16 & 11. I just been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and I'm so scared and confused, I'm looking for people in the same boat to help me understand what I'm going through. I have suffered with scalp psoriasis for about 10 years. For about a year I had the odd pain here and there, but nothing I thought was worth going to the doctors about, but 6 months ago my knee started to hurt more regularly but I still put it down to getting old. One night I woke up in excruciating pain on my knee, could not move it at all, took a couple of hours with a bag of frozen peas to ease the pain and after taking painkillers the pain went and I carried on with my life. Just under 2 months ago that same pain came back but not just my knee, my shoulder, my elbow and my neck were affected too. I felt like I was paralysed by pain and had to be practically carried to the GP. That was the first time I ever heard of PA...I didn't even know it existed. My GP suspected it and sent me to loads of blood tests, and prescribed a load of tablets. A week later the pain was not easing so back to the GP and this time he gave me stronger co codamol and the pain started to get better. Another week and the blood tests results came back and showed inflammation, very low vit D and folic acid, so GP gave me supplements and decided to give me a 3 vial steroid injection, which he was hopeful could relieve me of pain for a month, while I was being referred to the rheumatologist. I was pain free for 3 days and then it came back with a vengeance. Back on the co codamol and naproxen but the pain was easing just a bit, I couldn't sleep as I any position made something hurt. GP asked for an urgent refferal, but that got lost and despite me trying to get things moving, nothing was happening fast enough so I went private, got an appointment within 2 days and a diagnosis. I started methotrexate 2 weeks ago, which makes me very sick and  diarrhoea for 3 days, then it settles. Still on co codamol for pain as I refused the steroids the rheumy wanted to prescribe. My life has been turned upside down, almost every day I wake up with different joints hurting. I feel like the pain is eating me away, it's so disheartening when I can't even prepare my child's lunch box because my hands won't allow it. I work through an agency and they are on the verge of getting rid of me because I have taken the odd day off when the pain is just too much. I have been on anti depressants for years and I feel my depression getting worse, I don't want to leave the house or see anyone because I feel so so low. Will it ever get better? Any advice is welcome xx

3 likes, 32 replies

32 Replies

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  • Lisa_Batts
    Lisa_Batts Zita2323

    Posted

    Oh Zita 🙁☹️

    You must have come out of there feeling awful and no wonder.

    It does sound like you have a good Rheumy though. The prednisone is a great help in kick starting the body again so if you have been getting worse and obviously you didn't know so you weren't receiving the correct amount of MTX, the prednisone will as I say, kick start the 'feeling better' bit and along with the new dose of MTX should control it. The prednisone may well be on a reducing scale as mine was. I have stayed on a very low dose.

    (Apologies I can't get my words out.... On morphine at the moment and along with the other meds I don't know which way is up) but I so wanted to reply to say with the extra MTX and whack of prednisone, hopefully you should feel 'better than you have been' quite quickly.

    For the fibromyalgia I'm afraid I can't help.

    You've been through such an awful time I'm hoping the prednisone works quickly for you. I feel helpless as we all do when a member of the forum is going through Hell but there are some good people on here and at least you know you will get some support which is a little comfort.

    Be good to yourself, rest and recharge after your news. Sometimes we forget the emotional side is so draining as well.

    Love

    Lisa

    X

  • Carolb13
    Carolb13 Zita2323

    Posted

    Hi Zita - I have also had Psoriasis on my scalp for a few years now, and I have had Osteoarthritis for quite some years, and today I have also just found out I have Psoriatic Arthritis in my hands and wrists, and they have started me with Methotrexate and a Folic Acid tablet too for which I take that this evening then six of the Methotrexate tomorrow, I have to take these just once each week, well I will when I get home this evening, so I really do appreciate what pain you are going through, it sure does get you down.

    But being in these groups is sure helping, just being in the company of others that all know what you are going through, and even if no-one can help as such just having such caring responses is so much appreciated, knowing that people really care.

    So although I can't really help as such as I'm just starting on this I really hope your pain starts to ease real soon for you

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