Too young for this !

Hi . A new diagnosis can be overwhelming and the symptoms of PsA can make anyone depressed. The good news is that your life is about to change. You will soon see the rheumatologist and, hopefully, get your official PsA diagnosis. That diagnosis will lead to treatment and there are many medications that can alleviate your symptoms. PsA presents differently in everyone, so there are no promises when it comes to medications. Everyone reacts differently and what helps one person does not always help another. So be prepared for some trial and error. Some people do wonderfully on the first medication. Others go through five or six or more before they find the treatment that is most effective for them. But there is hope for normalcy. My brother was as bad off as you when he was diagnosed at about the same age. He is on Enbrel and often forgets he even has PsA.. Enbrel is expensive, but he applied for financial assistance through the company and they cover his copays. You might only get a little better with treatment, but you might also get a lot better. There are a couple of articles I would like to share with you. Here is an article about the diagnostic process: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/how-doctor-diagnose. This will help you understand what is happening at your first appointment. This article is from one of our advocates who offers some wonderful advice for people who are new to PsA: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/dear-friend-newly-diagnosed. This article is about treatment: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/treatment. It might be helpful to educate yourself about PsA treatments before your appointment. Please remember that you did nothing to deserve this and you have nothing to be ashamed of. It can be helpful to tell people what you are going through so they can be there for you. Support is so important. I am glad you found us, especially given the way you are feeling. Please know that you never have to apologize for venting on here. That is what we are here for -- to provide support and a safe place to vent. Keep me posted if you are comfortable doing so. I will be thinking of you! - Lori (Team Member)

Hi Irishman, I got diagnosed with psoriasis at around 24 years old.
For years I never did anything about it.
My nails were first, then the sides if my head, then elbows, knees and finally small patches here there and everywhere.
I still didn’t go to see a doctor as I thought it was wasting their time. A bit of sun ( yeah right, good luck in the UK) 😊 and it would ease a little bit but always came back.
The next comment is with hindsight.
For 20 years I started to feel more and more ill. Brain fog was terrible. Sometimes all I wanted to do was crawl under my desk at work and go to sleep. I was exhausted all of the time.
I still didn’t go to the doctors as I thought it was just my stay up late lifestyle.
Eventually I started to get pains in my hands so that I couldn’t pick anything up. It got so bad that I couldn’t even very lightly touch my hand with a finger on my other hand without cringing in pain. That’s when I went to the doctors.
After referral to the hospital, bingo, you’ve got PsA. I hadn’t even heard of it.
I went through trials on methotrexate and sulfasalazine, neither of which helped that much so was put onto Enbrel as soon as the doctors could get me on it. We have to fail 2 DMARDs before being out in biologicals.
Enbrel changed my life almost immediately.
The relief was amazing and I have had 6 years of freedom.
I am starting to feel old and new symptoms creep back in now but my nurses have said there is always a plan B. We have a cupboard full of drugs that you won’t even have heard of.
I am expecting to be moved to a new biological soon, which feels odd and a little worrying as Enbrel has been my friend and saviour for 6 years, but it’s just another part of my journey.
I wish I’d gone to the doctors a lot sooner than I did. You know what is happening to you now so you can work towards a plan with your doctors.

Things change, we change and drugs change. THE most important thing to do in my view is stay positive. Difficult I know but try to enjoy the smaller things whilst you wait for that step on your journey that will change your life back to more like you remember and want. Mine was Enbrel. Yours may be different but it will still be there.
Good luck and stay safe. 👍