Life With PsA
Another new poster! I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis 18 months ago, and thought I'd pass on good wishes to fellow sufferers and give a few thoughts on how it's affecting me.
I think it'll be reassuring to know there's a community here, what with winter coming up and symptoms likely to show themselves.
Reading one or two other accounts here, I feel fortunate in having a really good rheumatologist. He really takes his time, and listens to what you want to say before he starts his examinations. Only then does he go and type it all up. It's one thing at a time, and I really value that. It means you have to wait your turn, but it's worth it.
I started with methotrexate in March of this year, and I'd tentatively say that it seems to be doing some good.
One odd thing about the condition as I've experienced it is that walks of 0.5 - 1 km can cause pain in hip, ankles or soles of the feet, whereas long walks or mountain hikes are still perfectly manageable.
Related to this, I'm a school teacher, and the kind of movements you need to make - sitting, standing, walking round to monitor etc - can also be aggravating. A job that involved walking 15 km at an even tempo would probably suit me better physically.
I'm also a semi-regular swimmer (2-3 times a week), and that also seems to help. Only trouble is, I live in a country that's just enacted another lockdown, so all sports facilities have had to close. This is annoying, as the swimming-pool was the one place here where rules around only letting in vaccinated or recently tested people, or those who'd had Covid, were actually enforced. I hope it won't be closed for too long.
Anyway, I don't want to go on too long, but thanks for the space, and the insights this site offers.
Thanks, this makes perfect sense. I'd rather leave extra medication, at least for now. The foot pain is mostly bearable - more dull aches really. The hip pain is worse, but tends to go after 10-15 mins, or with more movement.
Hello
😀 welcome to our community! I'm sure you will find plenty of support and understanding here. Your rheumatologist sounds like a good one- they do seem to be difficult to find for some people. Yours is a keeper! Great job keeping your body moving. I've have similar experiences when it comes to walking vs more like hiking. The best I've figured is when I walk long distances like that, there are steps up, down, and so forth so the movements are exactly repetitive of the same actions. But once those hips start aching is very uncomfortable.
Up until a few years ago, I was also a teacher (middle school-15 years) and I totally get what you said. The ups, downs, and even the energy level required to manage "all the things" is very high. I was never a "sit at the desk" sort of teacher either. But it is so great that you are able to continue teaching. Have you been able to make any accommodations at work or had any conversations with administration?
I'm glad you are tolerating the methotrexate well. If you have any tips to share with our community about managing some of the side effects, I know it would be helpful and several people are struggling with nausea and mouth sores.
Well, welcome again we are glad you are here! -Leanne (Team Member)Thanks for your reply, Leanne.
Nice to meet a fellow teacher too. You're right, you definitely need high energy levels. I ditched my head of department role at the end of last school year, and that's helped as there's a bit less admin to sap time and energy. My employers have been good though ; even the Head makes a point of occasionally asking how I'm doing, and there are no issues with medical appointments.
I can't say I have tips for methotrexate. I did start another discussion on the forum asking on which day people take their dose and whether anyone splits the dose. I'm prescribed 20 mg per week and I take half that with lunch, half with dinner. I don't know if it helps, but I don't seem to be knocked out quite as much as when I took it all at once.
