Psoriatic arthritis
I had rheumatologist appointment yesterday and she asked a fair few questioned I’m just needing some advice.. she asked me loads of questions about how I felt and what symptoms i had .. after talking with her she examined me then she left the room brought me a booklet on psoriatic arthritis also said she would see me in 6wks in her clinic again so I thought the steroid injection was getting done 6wks she did the injection yesterday and bloods … but I’ve come away from that appointment actually not knowing if I’ve been diagnosed with it or not I think I was worried about this steroid injection (I hate needles) but surely she wouldn’t of given me a book in psoriatic arthritis and given me a steroid injection if I hadn’t got it
Hi
, thank you so much for reaching out and sharing with us all. I'm sure you're feeling very overwhelmed right now. I can completely understand being unsure of what this all means. Your rheumatologist should really have explicitly told you what was going on. It may be that she gave you the leaflet in an "I suspect you may have this so do some reading on it" way or a "You have psoriatic arthritis, here's some information on it" way. Unfortunately, I think the only way to know is to talk to her again. Were you given any means of contacting her before your next appointment in six weeks?
I don't blame you at all being worried about the steroid injection - I think most people would be feeling that way, and you've already had such a lot to take in. How did the injection go? And do you know which blood tests you've had done? I wanted to share a couple of articles with you, which may help you prepare for your next appointment and know what to expect: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/what-to-expect-rheumatologists-office
https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/questions-newly-diagnosed
Please know that we're all here for you on this journey. Do let us know if you have any questions or just want to chat. Warm wishes, -Catherine, Community ModeratorShe just said I had to go have some bloods done and that she said they seemed to be a lot of inflammation and a lot pain she asked about my sleeping to be honest it was all a blur as I started with psoriasis around 7/8 years ago never had problems with skin before always had good skin then started with psoriasis always felt doctors fobbed me off spent loads on creams baths stuff changed all my washing stuff now only use fairy around 3years ago started with joint pain not everyday just maybe when I’ve done way to much (can never sit still) last 2 years it was getting worse so learnt now to rest up last 7/8months barely getting a day when I just hurt allover went back to doctor he told me flat feet so was sent to a proditry to then be told oh you’ve got planter fasiciss can’t spell it then to of had my rheumatologist appointment for her to say I have neither of those I’m not very good at taken information in as I was so annoyed that I’ve been told I have this that and the other when I have nothing of the sort … she said a steroid injection to be given today to help you and to see her in 6wks I just don’t recall hearing the words you’ve got psoriatic arthritis I could kick myself now not asking questions,but the injection is given me some relief
, thank you for sharing more with us. Please be gentle with yourself - all of this is a lot to deal with and take in. It's completely normal to not think to ask questions at the time (I still do this even now, ~12 years after being diagnosed!). Appointments can sometimes feel rushed, and we don't have time to process and think of everything we want to say. Perhaps you could start making a list now of the questions you would like to ask when you next see the rheumatologist. Please feel welcome to share them here as others may have some input/suggestions for you. I hope that you'll be able to get some clarity at the next appointment.
It sounds like you have been dealing with a lot over the past 7/8 years. It must have been a shock for the psoriasis to pop up like that. I'm sorry to hear that you've felt fobbed off by your doctors on this journey too. Unfortunately, we have heard this from other community members over the years. It sounds like your current rheumatologist is attentive to your symptoms and wanting to help you find relief, which is good. I know you mentioned that the rheumatologist didn't agree with the podiatrist's diagnosis of plantar fascitiis, but I did want to let you know that this is commonly associated with psoriatic arthritis. Here's some further information which I thought may be of interest: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/improving-your-plantar-fasciitis
I just had a thought - I'm not sure where you are in the world, but I'm in the UK and here the specialist will usually write to the GP (and copy in the patient) with a summary of what happened at the appointment. Perhaps something like that may shed some light on your diagnosis before your next appointment. I'm glad that you're already feeling the benefits of the steroid injection and I do hope that this continues. Please keep us updated on everything and feel free to reach out anytime you need us. Sending hugs! -Catherine, Community Moderator
I’m in the uk also she was not happy that I’d been left so long I was only referred to them in March this year and got appointment for last Thursday which with everything going on with our waiting lists I thought it was fair time to wait once referral had gone in the think she may of said it in a way that the 2 diagnoses for flat feet etc wasn’t maybe just that and should of been referred sooner than that my feet had been that swollen and painful I’ve not been able to have got shoes on but today for the first time in a very very long time my feet feel some what normal to a point they feel not normal as I’ve suffered with pain for so so long I just think Thursday was a long day and overwhelming that I finally had someone who listened to me had time for me didnt feel rushed or I was just been a pain I’ve already got a list of what I need to ask next time I see her so I don’t come away forgetting things to ask … I also wanted to know is they anything I can get to help in and out of bath as my knees aren’t so good either (I feel I’m falling apart) as I’m having some days to get my eldest daughter to help me and I want to keep some independence and some privacy although she doesn’t mind doing it she is a good help on bad days but don’t want her to keep coming to me when she has her own little family to care and look after x
, nice to have another person from the UK here! There's a few of us here now. Does your GP surgery use any of the apps, like the NHS app or Patient Access? Sometimes letters and results will appear on those before they reach us by other means. Hopefully you will receive some correspondence soon and will be able to work out what's going on. It's not nice feeling unsure or confused about things, especially when it comes to our health.
Ah, yes, I can understand why your rheumatologist was annoyed that there hadn't been further investigation of your feet, etc. I had the same thing at the start of my journey. So many symptoms - nail changes, plantar fasciitis/Achilles tendinitis, knee troubles, fatigue, psoriasis flare up - all pointed towards a PsA diagnosis but it took years to get a referral and a diagnosis. Hopefully seeing this rheumatologist will be the start of you finding the relief you deserve! I'm glad your feet are feeling better already, and it's good to hear that you've started on the list of questions. I always write a list but then I forget to look at it in the appointment 😅
Aww, that's so sweet of your daughter to help you. I can appreciate wanting to maintain your independence though. I understand the struggles with getting in and out of the bath. We have handles on either side of our bath which I find helpful, but I still make some interesting noises when lowering myself in/getting out. I have seen on television that there are these sort of bands that go across the bath that can lower you in - I believe they're called bath lifts or bath belts. Maybe that might be something to think about? I hope others will chime in here with some suggestions too. We are a resourceful bunch 😀 Hugs! -Catherine, Community Moderator
I don’t want to put anymore on family than I do but sometime even talking to someone that is going the same someone’s makes you feel a little better and you don’t feel like your the only one who is going through it any suggestions and advice is welcome … also who do I ask for these bath aids or do I need to be buying online x
I just wanted to chime in and say that we are here for you, every step of the way. I love making the world just a little less lonely, as so many have done for me. How are you managing at the moment? Warmly , Clair ( Team Member) Good morning,
😊 How are you feeling today? Yes, talking with others who actually understand can really help. Dealing with symptoms like these can be very isolating, both physically and mentally. I hope you'll find lots of comfort in the community here.
Regarding the bath aids, I believe social services can do an assessment of the home and then they will decide if they can help with the cost of these things or not. Here's some further information on this process from the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/home-adaptations/ You'll see that it mentions a bath lift and also grab rails. I actually haven't been through this process myself as our bath already came with handles on it. It may also be worth asking either your GP or your rheumatologist for a referral to an occupational therapist - they know a lot about different adaptations and may have more information/suggestions for you. I think you can buy bath lifts online but they look rather expensive! Really hope this information is helpful. Warmest wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator
