Advice Needed
Hi All,
I have been suffering from horrible pain and stiffness for months now in most joints which ones change pretty much each day or so. I've had psoriasis for around 15 years or so when this started a few months ago I thought it maybe PSA. I've had a huge amount of blood tests and all that is showing is my CRP levels are elevated. I've been given an urgent referral to a rheumatology department but that's going to be likely a couple of months away. I've been given Naproxen and Omeprazole to look after my stomach but what I find is after a week or so my stomach needs a break. After a few days off I stop sleeping well and the pain etc returns. I was wondering if any of you had any advice on dealing with all this and if I could be doing something else to look after my stomach etc over this next few months? Our family has been through the wringer this past year, my wife is needing regular operations to keep her airway open as she found she has a subglottic stenosis while pregnant, our new born boy is doing well and passing all his milestones but was very ill, air lifted to a hospital and unfortunately now has severe brain damage to two areas of his brain and our eldest boy is struggling to understand what is going on and why his Daddy is suddenly not the same and unable to have fun like we used to. To say its been hard is an understatement but I know we can get through it if I can get back to something like normal and being the silly Dad as before that can give piggybacks! Any help/advice would be lovely thanks.
Hi
. My heart aches for all you have been through. I hope your wife is doing well after the surgeries and that she doesn't need any more and I hope your newborn surprises you with more recovery than anyone ever expected. A child's brain can be so resilient. Sending lots of hugs and healing thoughts for your little boy and for your older child, who is struggling to understand. If it is PsA that is causing your symptoms, it's not surprising that it surfaced now with all your stress. Stress can trigger autoimmune diseases and make symptoms worse. About 50 percent of people with PsA present with normal bloodwork, so don't let that throw you off. Given that you have psoriasis, there is a good chance the rheumatologist will diagnose you with PsA. Are you taking any medications for your psoriasis? If you have a dermatologist, you might want to make an appointment and see whether you can get on a medication that addresses psoriasis, but might also relieve your PsA symptoms. I would also try to get on the cancelation list for the rheumatologist and, if the pain gets to be too much, call your primary care doctor for help. In the meantime, here is an article about some natural methods for PsA pain relief: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/natural-pain-relief?fbclid=IwAR3ugVOCbesKWoNfmw5icnoeI_BtMv5L9w9WnUIt98VeYR85NJ1fKx4JbzQ&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=organic. Maybe one of these suggestions will take the edge off. Many people go into remission on PsA medications, though it might take some trial and error to find the one that is most effective for you. Keep us posted if you feel comfortable doing so. Thinking of you and sending the very best of all wishes your way. - Lori (Team Member) Hi Lori, thanks a lot for the info and your kind words 😁. We also all caught Covid while we were in hospital for our baby so a few of the Doctors I've seen thought it maybe some kind of long Covid but none of them were sure. Seeing I've been having a few psoriasis flare ups (skin patches and nails crumbling) since I think it's likely PsA but we shall see. It took a few years before a consultant diagnosed me with psoriasis and I've been using Lotriderm and Silkis for years which tends to keep on top of things. The nails I just keep as short as possible till they eventually go back to fairly normal. I'm a fit 40 year old who keeps really active cycling, swimming, snorkeling (when weather allows as I live in the Highlands!) and long walks with the family. In the past I've been able to get through stressful times by keeping busy and positive so this really grinds away at all that. I've thrown everything I can at this as I can't lay around in pain as there is just too much to do with the family and work. I'm waking up half an hour before the boys so I can move joints etc and loosen up a bit before the eldest comes in so he doesn't see me at my worst. At the moment I'm taking a few days off Naproxen and using ibuprofen gel and Tumeric, magnesium supplements along with multivitamin and glucosamine which I've been taking for years for previous injuries. Not sure if they help (the gel does a little bit) and I take them apart so they don't upset my stomach. I also stop taking them every day when I'm using Naproxen. I've been taking cold showers although that's getting harder as the weather changes! 😂. I've been doing Yoga and doing a quick bike ride on my lunch break and they do help but with all this messing about I have been causing a few issues with work now. They have been very understanding but there will of course be a limit. We eat well but I have not tried changing too much of our diet except to try cutting out a lot of dairy in case that wasn't helping as I don't handle cream etc these days. So I've pretty much thrown the kitchen sink at it! 😬
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Hi @PJHO, wow! I admire all that you have done. You are a true PsA warrior. You are so strong. We are so glad you are a part of our community. We are here for you. Jill, team member
Oh yes herbal teas and CBD oil too! 😂 I'm a walking herbalist at the moment
