Just diagnosed p.a
Feeling really scared I'm waiting to see my rheumatologist to start treatment.been watching YouTube a lot.I'm 63 and feel full of dread?can anyone advise me please I feel so sad with painx
There are a lot of really good treatments out there; from DMARDs to biologics to JAK inhibitors. Just as important it lifestyle changes; regular exercise and a healthy diet, and avoid alcohol and tobacco. Aside from that, listen to your doctors, and get regular health checkups. Keep a personal journal of any and all symptoms, when they started, and times and circumtstances that that the seem to worsen or get better. Also wouldn't hurt to keep a food diary.
thanks for your advice!much appreciated x
Oh, and don't take the news like it's the end of the world. This disease will necessitate your making changes, but many of those changes may be beneficial. The lifestyle changes that I made have, ironically, made me healthier in many ways, and more physically fit than I was in my 30s. At 50, about five or six years after my diagnosis, I ran my first half marathon, and have run 27 in total. Had it not been for COVID, I would have about a dozen more on the books. Admittedly, it has now become a huge challenge to log the kind of training necessary to continue running half marathons year round, so I have now dropped down to running 5k races. Makes me feel a little like I'm sitting at the kids' table at holiday dinners now.
Hello,
, I'm so glad that you reached out here. Starting a new treatment (at any point in the process) can be scary, so your feelings are valid and understandable. So many people here have been where you are now, and I hope this community can help you feel less alone. In addition to the thoughts and advice from Eric, I just wanted to share an article with you about some of the expectations and outcomes our community members shared about treatments, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/expectations-outcomes. Although I'm not sure how newly diagnosed you are, this article, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/advice-newly-diagnosed, also has some information you may also find helpful. When is your appointment? Has a treatment already been decided? Or is this an appointment to discuss options? We have a lot of information here about various treatments and types of treatment, so please let us know if there's more specific treatment information you'd be interested in. Please know that this community is here for you, so don't hesitate to reach out anytime! Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member) Hi Christine..I'm at the stage now of preparing to see rheumatologist about outcome of spine mid seats to hands feet chest and ultrasound imaging on worst leg.I'm adjusting my diet to cleaner eating and watching stuff on you tube 're pea at the moment.thanks for your replies it means a lot I feel depressed right now pain is right as wellx
Be aware that depression is, in and of itself, one of the symptoms of psoriatic disease, so it's not necessarily that you're just depressed due to the pain and being overwhelmed with a new diagnosis. With medical management, i.e. DMARDs and/or biologics, depression will likely begin to abate a long with your other symptoms.
