Please don't judge me
I was diagnosed with PA more than 15 years ago (I'm 55 now). I had many tests and conservative treatments. I refused surgical intervention but luckily got relief from steroid injections and went into remission with Humira.
I've had my bad pain days here and there. My back is a mess and sometimes flares up. My knees get fluid but it goes away on its own. I've been fortunate to not need intervention for a while.
A few years ago I started having chronic fatigue. I did all the blood tests for thyroid, Lyme disease, etc. My primary sent me back to the Rheumatologist who said it was PA related and wanted me to go back on meds. I had no help from Humira or Methotrexate help with pain or fatigue before so I decided to just wait it out without meds.
For the past few months I have been in major pain. I have daily pain in my back, ankles, feet, knees, and sometimes hands. The strangest one is in my rib cage on the sides (only when laying down). The pain is much worse with the weather but never really goes away.
I am still very fatigued. I don't have it in me to start a series of tests and medication trials again. I know I need to go back to the doctor again but I just dontt have the energy to be a full time patient again. My old Rheumatologist isnt in my area anymore and my primary is "big"on testing and referring me to others.
I'm not sure if I came here for suggestions or just support. Thanks for listening.
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Hi @MyName, we are so glad you are here. You are welcome here at any time to vent or just to share. We are a community of people who understand and can offer you support and suggestions- and we would never judge you. I can understand why you would be exhausted from all the trial and error with testing and treatment. I am glad Humira helped you, but as many of our members would say, sometimes the medicine only helps for a short period of time or doesn't help with certain symptoms of PsA. It sounds like you are in a lot of pain and it is effecting your daily life. Dealing with a chronic illness takes such a toll both physically and mentally. I truly understand you don't want to go through the whole process again, but I really do wish you weren't in so much pain. Since you mentioned rib pain, I wanted to send over this article. There is a condition called costochondritis which is chest pain caused by inflammation of the cartilage around the sternum—the area in the body where the ribs connect to the breastbone. I am sending you this article with further information. https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/answers/chest-pain-costochondritis-tietze-syndrome. We are here to support you in any way. I really hope you can get the relief you deserve. Sending gentle hugs. Jill, Team Member
Thank you so much for the kind words. I needed that today.
We are here for you, any time you need @MyName. Jill, Team Member
