Soldier On with Psoriasis Arthritis

When Oscar, a thirty-six-year-old dedicated army officer could not keep up with his fellow trainees, he realized that something was wrong. Training as an army officer in 2012, he wasn't sure exactly what was going on.

Though he had suffered from psoriasis from 2003-2008, his psoriasis had gone into remission. He felt lucky and proud that he had the opportunity to join the army and serve his nation. Luckily, Oscar was able to graduate and was posted. He consulted several doctors who failed to diagnose his condition. He got scared and worried when it worsened each day.

It started with psoriasis

Oscar was seventeen and the captain of the high school football club. When he went to the changing room, he noticed scaly white patches all over his body.

His parents took me to several doctors with little success. They gave him creams that would only ease the condition but not heal it. He was being treated for eczema by most doctors. The condition progressed from itchy scaly patches to painful sores.

It soon covered more than 30% of his body. He started feeling low, dropped out of the football club, and became a loner. His girlfriend left him and he could not handle people staring. He was very stressed and flare-ups became worse.

The mental impact

One day on my normal visit to a doctor, he was diagnosed with psoriasis. His advice and treatment helped him complete high school though his self-esteem had been hit hard.

In 2012, his final month to complete training as an army officer, he started feeling stiff in his hip joints which progressed to even more painful and swollen. His lower back soon became painful while bending. He could not wake up normally or do exercise. Life was painful.

One misdiagnosis after another

Oscar thought they would send him home for being unfit. Luckily, he graduated and was able to get a job. He visited several doctors after feeling extreme pain and suffered from extreme fatigue. The doctors gave him pain relievers which did not work.

As pain progressed, he preferred his bed to night patrols. He felt incompetent and unworthy to do the job he once loved. Alcohol became his favorite drink which made him forget to report to work. He started overeating as well.

So close to giving up

One day after he had given up and made up his mind to quit working in the army, Oscar went to his senior officer with a resignation letter. He was concerned and scheduled a meeting. Oscar narrated his story and luckily, the senior officer was a victim of psoriasis arthritis himself. Oscar was referred to a doctor at a nearby clinic where he received an official diagnosis.

Oscar still thanks God for his senior officer who guided him. Was it not for him, he could still be a misdiagnosed patient. They are still good friends today.

It's important to be proactive

Oscar and I would advise people to be more proactive in the case of such conditions. Ask questions and explain thoroughly. Be an advocate to ensure a proper diagnosis. Oscar was diagnosed after five years of pain and low self-esteem. Don’t be like Oscar.