Why is psoriatic arthritis not taken seriously???

I think this is mainly because most ofvit is internal pain that cant be seen. Unless some of us have deformed hands/fingers or the odd bit of psoriasis visable nobody can see our pain or see us struggle daily or coping with it.

The government are trying to cut down on disability payments so for them to recognise PSA would not help there cause.

PsA,

My diagnosis took two years and that was diagnosed by a Consutant, in His Private Cinic, eventully I was given treatment and my GP took it as PsA and the NHS took over my treatment, I was then Medically Retired and my condition is at this time in some form of Remission.??, or so they say.

I was in ways lucky They sent me to Pain Cinic and I was given a CPN because of Mental Health probems. With it been caused by an overactive immune system and the DMARD medications have a bad effect on me and they had too stop. Because of that BIOLOGIC medications are no good for my treatment pan as they will not treat if you cannot take those expensive drugs, They now operate if needed on my hands if needed and I take Opiates, AD and NSIDs medications all the tiem.

I have had this probem since 1978 and it has been a constant battle. At sixty seven I suppose the drugs must be causing future heath probems and I wonde sometimes how long it will be before death, the medications are strong and I suppose will not be doing me much good

BOB

I am shocked to read this.... I do receive help from the government although I have other underlying problems which attribute to my health but assumed PRA counted towards a large part of that.

I don't know when you last applied for help but the system changed about 3 years ago where you are now assessed by a medical assessor rather than a government employee so it may be worth trying again.

I think (unfair as it is) maybe it is assessed on many factors. For example how progressed you'd disease is... Which meds you are on and so on. Also I wonder if you have a family you live with? Again as wrong as it seems the government assume that if you do, you get help with things like cooking cleaning etc.

There are many different levels of PRA and mine leaves me housebound unless somebody takes me out and then I can't stay out for long.

Unfortunately applying for it you have to imagine it is one of your worst days which can be degrading and also before mine progressed I did many things the doctors told me I wouldn't be able to do. That got me money refused but I kept my dignity by doing as much as I could.

No it isn't fair as it is a very debilitating illness. When filling in your form and you're thinking of your worst days can you cook? Bath? Housework etc.

These are the things they are looking at. If you can walk out your front door and go shopping.... All the above says you are capable of work when actually you are probably struggling with the above yet trying to maintain as much independence as possible.

If you have applied recently and been turned down it is worth appealing and they will put you to a medical assessment which may do you a favour because you can explain in your own words.... Not just answer yes, no questions.

It is also useful to go to citizens advice bureau to find out what your options are.

If you are deemed unfit for work you need as much evidence as possible. Your doctor, your specialists should all be able to write letters to support that.

Most people get turned down the first time they apply so definitely appeal but send in as much proof as you can that you are unfit for work.

I wish you well and hope you get at least some support

😊??🌻

I was diagnosed with RA two years ago, the Rheumatologist changed his diagnosis to PsA about 5 months ago, when he advised me, he said PsA is the most serious, with the Mutilans strain being the worst and most disfiguring, lucky me has Mutilans.   The Aust government will stretch to five biologics under strict conditions, if those five don't work your'e on your own for the next five years.   With PsA they will stretch to three biologics, again under strict condition.   If those thgree don't work, once again you are onyour own for the next five years.   I'd like to share some of my pain with them.   If any in govt had this disease I wonder how long it would take them to change their rules.

It's honestly not just the government that don't take it seriously, many people don't in general - simply because it's not widely understood as a disease, and it takes so many different forms it can be difficult to pin down.

Unfortunately, government bodies are staffed by these same people, leading to that self same misunderstanding being much worse.

I totally agree Leona, no one understands how painful and I find degrading this disease is. I'm 37, I have trouble writing for long periods, I can't use a sewing needle, I can't open tins or jars of food, I can't even peel a potato. My fingers and toes swells, with shooting pains going down my fingers. I've just put in for PIP, but I might have to appeal if they say I can work. Due to stress now my skins erupted again, skins been ok for a couple of years, might have to book in for new creams??

Had a bloke tell me the other day he also suffers 'arthritis', gave me some real good advice, just take some Glucosamine.   Said that's all he takes for his 'arthritis' and it'll work for me too.   I explained PsA was a auto immune disease and not like 'his arthritis' at all, couldn't cnvince him though - arthritis is just arthritis apparantly!

I have had psoriatic arthritis for 25 years. The first time I applied for SS disability I was turned down but I hired a lawyer and 2 years later I got SS disability. I am luckier than most because I have Medicare b and tricare insurance. I get my medication at a military hospital. What medications do you take. I took prednisone for almost 8 years and then methotrexate for 5 years. I have had gold shots that didn’t work I am now on Enbrel. Enbrel causes auto immune disease humera does too I think. If u take Enbrel you will probably file also claiming auto immune disease with psoriatic arthritis. Some drug companies if you are having problems financially some companies may help you with getting your medication with a discount. I also had a wonderful doctor who was brutally honest about how painful it is. He also had some test results he sent them. But I don’t know about u bu I also had fibromyalgia. By time I applied I was using a walker and there was discussion of needing a wheelchair. I hope you can get everything done without anymore problems I am sending up a prayer for you. But Enbrel comes with its own problems. I have auto immune disease and this year have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and the begging of lung disease. No I never smoked but with the auto immune disease makes me susceptible to this.