feeling frustrated and ranting.

Hi . PsA is a frustrating disease. It presents differently in everyone and there are no definitive tests for diagnosing it, so many people suffer for years without a diagnosis, like you. Only your doctor can say whether your damage is permanent, but chances are very good that your pain will improve tremendously with the right medication. I hope your new rheumatologist will find something that helps. Finding the medication that is most effective for you can take a long time and a ton of patience. Doctors have no way of knowing which medications will help which patients, so it really is a game of trial and error. I know you have tried some medications already, but I hope you don't give up. We have a community member who finally found a medication that helps after 20 years of trying. It was completely life-changing for her. Here is an article about PsA treatments that might interest you. You can click on links within the article for more specific information. You absolutely do not have to accept your current condition. There are natural approaches to PsA pain relief that can help take the edge off while you are experimenting with medications. Here is an article from one of our advocates about diet that might interest you: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/diet-does-matter. You can learn more about PsA and diet by searching our archives using the word "diet." Here is another article about other natural methods: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/natural-pain-relief?fbclid=IwAR3ugVOCbesKWoNfmw5icnoeI_BtMv5L9w9WnUIt98VeYR85NJ1fKx4JbzQ&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=organic. If you keep at it, you will likely find a work-from-home job. It takes a lot of patience though. It took my husband a year of full-time job hunting to find a new job when he was laid off, but he couldn't be happier now. (Well, he might be happier if he could retire! 😀 ) You are not alone in your frustration over the comments of others. PsA is often invisible to others and many are familiar only with osteoarthritis. They don't understand that PsA is an autoimmune disease. Here is an article from one of our advocates who shares your frustrations: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/listen-to-me-dont-judge-me. I thought you might find it helpful. Finally, I would like to share this article with you about coping with a new diagnosis: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/dear-friend-newly-diagnosed. This is a lot to take it, but I hope it helps. You will find lots of support and some great resources in this community. We are here for you whenever you need us. Best wishes! - Lori (Team Member)

Lori gave you a wealth of information, all I can really add is a little of my own experience.
It took me 10 years and 6 rheumatologists to get diagnosed. I was finally diagnosed last June at 52 - although I did have issues throughout the years starting in my 20s, I believe having 3 kids put me into a sort of remission along the way (FWIW, false Lupus diagnosis at 21, rheumie number 1). Having said that I still had issues over those years - SI joint dysfunction, degenerative disc disease/low back pain, hand pain, knee issues, a cranky ankle....my GP said my body "liked to be inflamed".
Then 5 rheumies in the last 10 years as things really started to progress (one thought MS, one thought nothing, one said fibro, one said "some sort of inflammatory arthritis & then COVID hit, and finally, after moving, I was diagnosed by the last one).
During this time I was on multiple drugs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, plaquenil) off & on and was prescribed Cymbalta but refused to take it. Last June I tried Otezla for 3 months but I was one of the few who never got over the side effects. I am now on Hulio (Humira biosimilar).
I'll be honest with you - it helps but it's no magic bullet. I still have pain, I still have bad days, but I am quite a bit better. My goal is to keep on meds to slow progression and reduce damage. Usually winters knock me way down but this one hasn't been so bad (I have also moved to a milder climate but we still have snow and subzero temps).
Everyone has a different journey but we don't really get better - we manage our disease, take advantage of the good days, modify our lives. I used to run, work full time and now I don't, I work just a few hours a week. I am still active but differently, I stretch a lot, move every day and eat healthy (low sugar, unprocessed). My biggest issues now are my hands & wrists - I use splints, I'm getting orthotics for foot issues, I'm doing my best to keep going.
People don't "get" PsA - these forums are great, I'm also on a couple of Facebook private groups. It helps to "talk" to other people, see their experiences. An article on Mayoclinic just doesn't cover it all. Wishing you the best in adjusting and adapting.

Hi thanks for sharing your journey. It helps others when you do that. It is what makes this community a great group for others to learn from. Do the splints help your hands and wrists? I also wear them from time to time, Vickie W., Team Member

I wear the splints at night and driving or just when my wrists are sore - I am my own worst enemy (computing, cycling, or just doing too much with hands in general - rolling dough for Christmas cookies was not a smart idea!). They help, let my wrists relax in a neutral position - I still have to be smart myself.
Recently I was referred to an inflammatory arthritis physio clinic - I got pinkie splints for overnight wear as I am developing Boutinneire's Deformity in both - it is helping straighten them out but they still bend on their own. I also use Oval 8 splints (ordering some custom made rings) to prevent Swan Neck deformity on my middle fingers. It's better to prevent the deformity than to try & correct it. Orthotics are also being ordered. Kinda feel like I just might need a whole body splint at some point !