Psoriatic Pain: Get To The Expert

Recently my aunt learned she needs to have a knee replacement due to arthritis. Interestingly, until a few months ago she didn’t even know she had arthritis. She thought she had just pulled something.

It wasn’t until Thanksgiving when her knee pain was so severe she couldn’t get out of the car to come into the family party. Ultimately, she ended up in the ER (where she learned she had the disease). Even then, the ER doctors told her casually, “Oh you have arthritis. Just go home and take these and it should be fine in a little bit.”

Seeing the right kind of doctor for psoriatic arthritis

The intention of this piece isn’t to bash those ER doctors. Honestly, they did their jobs beautifully. They were attentive, got her the tests she needed, made sure she was going home with one of us, and sent her on her way.

They’re ER docs. That’s their job. They triage emergency situations. They aren’t rheumatologists or orthopedic experts.

Because of what I’ve learned over the years through watching my friends live with psoriatic arthritis. I have seen them struggle to speak to all kinds of doctors who don’t have a deep understanding of psoriatic arthritis.

Connecting with others with PsA

I was able to jump in and assist in making sure she wasn’t released without connecting her with a specialist who could truly evaluate her knee and what was happening to her. I also connected her to my friend who lives with PsA.

She was terrified when she left the ER because they really couldn’t tell her anything. She wasn’t even aware that there would be good days and bad days. She thought she might be on a walker every day for the rest of her life--which was not something she was ready to take on.

Sharing experiences

Fortunately, my friend and I were able to help explain some things to her. We weren’t trying to be a doctor or telling her absolutes--that doesn’t do anyone any good.

We were, however, able to share specific experiences of someone who lives with arthritis daily. Even though it’s a different kind and everyone’s experience is unique, there are some similarities that cross the board.

Living through this experience made me realize how fortunate we are to have the insights and experiences we do. Most people would have been in that hospital and left just as clueless and uninformed as when they arrived.

Supporting someone with psoriatic arthritis

Living and watching the challenges our loved ones face truly give us the opportunity to pass it on for when other loved ones are faced with the disease, which we all know will happen at some point.

It also made me realize not to be afraid to share with a loved one that they may want to get those aches and pains checked by a pro before too much time passes. If my aunt had seen the right doctor years ago, she may not be facing this replacement yet.

Sharing what we know

It was also an excellent reminder that when something doesn’t seem right, we all need to get to the pros that know it best. Again, it’s not a slam at doctors, it’s making sure we see the right kind of doctor for whatever condition we have, including psoriatic arthritis. You wouldn’t want your master’s degree biology course taught by your history professor--it’s the same thing when it comes to medicine.

Regardless, as those who care deeply about those we love, we need to remember our knowledge is valuable, too. It’s there to be shared with those we love when they need it.