Got main pain in shoulder and neck and groin area
I've recently been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis....though I've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis for over 10 years...in the last year I have progressively got worse especially in shoulders neck and groin/pelvis areas....even though I have it in nearly every joint of my body.....wat I would like to know is...when is the pain too much....feels like someone is trying to rip my arm off from the shoulder on a daily basis...yes I'm seeing a rheumatologist and am on injection methotrexate....but its made no difference....I need advice how to get things moving quicker in hospital....I'm a really patient bloke that only goes to doctors if it gets really bad....its beyond that now and I need more help...any advice please. ..my worst points I wanna grab a knife and dig my shoulders out....I'm a natural happy person...but this is giving me dark thoughts cause I'm fed up.....its been over a year and getting worse
Oh
it really sounds like you have been having a difficult time for a while now. I'm deeply sorry for what you are going through and can very much understand. I was originally dx'd with psoriatic arthritis then (maybe) a year later my doctor added rheumatoid. Juggling two similar, yet different diseases can be confusing and certainly painful. Have you spoken with your rheumatologist about moving on to a biologic medication? That is often the next line of medication if methotrexate doesn't work. From working with my doctor, I've learned that there are a number of biologic medications that are approved to treat both PsA and RA so we always try to stick with only the ones that treat both. So that may be a good place to start in terms of new medications.Secondly... the way you describe your shoulder pain reminds me of a pain that I've learned over time to be called enthesitis. Of course I don't know for certain that that is what you are experiencing, just the way you describe it really reminds me of my experience with it. We have quite a few articles available for more information on it that might help you manage it (if that is indeed the case) until your doctor is able to provide further help. Perhaps they would consider a round of steroids (prednisone) to help calm things down in the meantime?https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/search?s=enthesitis Most importantly, please know that you are not alone. These diseases can really take a toll on our mental and emotional health as well. If you ever need to talk, vent, scream, or just have someone be there- this is a great community of people who "get" it and we are here to support you in whatever you need. I'm sure others will chime in soon with their advice and experience to hopefully help you get to a place where it feels a little more manageable or offer advice on getting help in a more timely way. Sending you gentle hugs and pain-free thoughts. -Leanne (Team Member)
Thanks for replying...tonight I was intears with pain...I'm a 53 year old male and its making me cry....when I phoned rheumatology special nurse thingy saying methotrexate injection wasn't making a difference after 6 weeks I was told I had to wait 12 weeks to get into my system and should contact gp for painkillers...next painkiller is tramadol and it mucks me up...wat I didn't get is my pain is from psoriatic arthritis yet rheumatology said go see gp....pain is severe from psoriatic arthritis....don't understand who I should see
, the chronic pain can be intense and very distressing. In my personal experience, the rheumatologist will treat the disease and this may in turn fully address the pain or it may not. If it doesn't, I know we have quite a few community members who see a pain management specialist alongside their rheumatologist. Perhaps you could ask for a referral? Here's some further information that I'm hoping will be helpful: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/answers/pain-management-specialist
With regards to the methotrexate, unfortunately the rhuematology nurse is right - methotrexate can take a while to kick in. For me, it took somewhere between three and four months to start making a difference to my symptoms, and probably six months to reach its full effect. Sometimes, whilst people are waiting for their new medication to kick in, they are given a course of steroids to calm things down. I don't know whether that would be appropriate for you or if any of your medical team have mentioned this to you, but it might be worth looking in to as you are suffering so much.
Please know that we are all here to support you through this. Feel free to vent and ask any questions here. Sending lots of love your way! -Catherine, Community Moderator
Sorry....missed some stuff out....went rheumatology then got referred to hematology cause I got high iron lvls and more red sticky blood cells ...I still have mo idea why...my next appointment with rheumatology is next year.....I'm worse now....need advice wat to do cause I've always sat back and not bothered unless I had to.....this is killing me...I can't drive I can't cook I can't do much at all...need help please
, I am really sorry to hear about the intensity of your shoulder pain. Like Leanne mentioned, it could be enthesitis. Enthesitis is misery. I have enthesitis in multiple areas including my left shoulder. Steroid shots help.
My right shoulder has a colorful history - labrum tear, bicep tear and eventually a reverse replacement. I mention this to preface my question - have you had a recent ex-ray or MRI? If not, that might be a good place to start. Perhaps your GP can help, at least until you can see your rheumatologist. You shouldn't have to be this miserable.
