Do you live with any other health conditions in addition to your PsA?
Many in the PsA community seem to live with multiple health conditions, especially since autoimmune conditions seem to "collect." I think one of the most obvious being psoriasis since up to 30% of people living with psoriasis may develop PsA.
Are you living with other health conditions? Which ones? Did you get diagnosed with them before or after your PsA diagnosis? Have they impacted your PsA management plan? Would love to learn more about your experiences!
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I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, depression, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, glucose intolerance, high blood pressure. Another autoimmune problem they are still trying to figure out.
That is a lot to handle, @kpsaddleman. Do you have most of your issues under control? I am sure it is a constant battle. Hugs! - Lori (Team Member)
You sound like my twin sadly.☹️
They (4 docs) have been giving me all kinds of meds bit I don't feel any different. I would love to quit everything but if I feel this bad on meds how bad would it be without??
Hi @kpsaddleman, how long have you been on these medications? Have you had a chance to talk to your doctors about how you have been feeling? If you haven't already, I would definitely encourage you to speak to them. Medicine unfortunately can be tricky and there may be some trial and error until you find the right fit. I really hope you get relief! Jill, Team Member
Autoimmune Diseases often travel in packs. If you have one you might just have another. Diagnosed with P at 30 (though i'd had it on my scalp and a bit on my face since my teens), PsA at 36. Since then, Sicca/ likely Sjogren's though the test results are borderline-the symptoms are all there-Ugh, chronically dry eye, dry everything stomach ulcers, vision issues. Fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, stenosis, rosacea (my facial skin burns regularly), hidranetis supportiva and prediabetes. Its a 3 ring circus. It took years but I take most days as they come. I've been through numerous biologics until they stop working. There's always another to try. In the mean time, I take the best possible care of myself, exercise as much as I can, eat right and go for acupuncture weekly. Doing the best I can. Pain? medical Marijuana
I just posted on here and forgot to include that I was diagnosed in 1997 with Sjogren’s. It is difficult to manage but there is a helpful medication that I take that helps a lot for the dryness. The joint pain and other pains are most difficult to manage.
I have been diagnosed with at least three autoimmune diseases. First was osteoarthritis in my right thumb joint in 1986, which now I’m unsure if that is really what that was. In 1994 I had my first neck fusion surgery to remove an osteophyte from spinal arthritis. Also in 1994 & 1997 I had carpal tunnel release surgery on both hands. 1998 left thumb/wrist arthroscopy cutting out the joint & replacing it with a tendon from my arm fashioned into a joint. Again in 2003 in the right hand arthroscopy surgery. My second spinal fusion surgery for osteophyte removal in 1998. I was diagnosed with Psoriasis in 2010 or so and Psoriatic Arthritis in 2012 and had third cervical fusion surgery in 2014. I have finger joint pain in both hands. Have had trigger finger injection once. Now I have Keinbock’s disease in my right wrist diagnosed this year. Is it from PSA? I will need surgery to fuse the wrist to relieve pain. , wow! You would think the doctors would have started investigating autoimmune diseases sooner with all that joint and tendon damage over the years. I am glad you finally have a diagnosis. Have you found any treatments that help? I am sorry to hear that you need yet another surgery. I hope it goes smoothly and brings you relief. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
