PsA how it affects my whole body and my struggle to carry on

Medical information

• Psoriasis 1982
• Inverse Psoriasis 1982
• Psoriasis-Arthritis 1985
• Hiatus hernia 1985
• Thoracic spine syndrome (Scheuermann) 1991
• Peritonitis 1994
• GERD 1995
• Uveitis 1996 und1998
• Shingles 2011
• Tinnitus 2011
• Chronic tinnitus 2015
• Cervical stenosis 2016
• Enthesitis ???
• Fibromyalgia 2018
• Uveitis 2019 damage is now permanent
• Food intolerances diagnosed in 2018 – wheat, gluten, cow's milk protein casein, yeast, and eggs
• The family doctor thinks I might also be suffering from IBS 2021

Experiences with psoriatic disease

I have no swelling in any of my joints and no inflammation shows in the blood tests, but this has been the case for years. I have scalp psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and on occasion rotten fingernails. My main problem is pain and stiffness from ligaments tendons and muscles, sacroiliac joint, outside of both hips, and problems with cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. I haven't had a conclusive diagnosis. For this problem, my rheumatologist says that the PsA is always active, but says it has nothing to do with my constant hip and back pain.

Living with uveitis and chronic tinnitus

Uveitis and chronic tinnitus are probably also caused by the psoriatic arthritis. Uveitis was diagnosed in November 2019 and the eye doctor has told me it’s because of the PsA. I've had this condition 3 times now in the last 25 years, but the damage is permanent this time.

My HNO Doctor has told me my neck problems are responsible for the chronic tinnitus. 2 rheumatologists have refuted this claim and told me that an autoimmune disease has nothing to do with tinnitus. I need to see a specialist who understands this autoimmune disease. I would like a concrete diagnosis after 40 years of suffering. I think I deserve one.

Managing spine pain

A spinal surgeon in 2016 viewed my MRIs and told me that all my complaints were probably caused by PsA and there was no reason for any spinal surgery. I have cervical stenosis and a herniated disc at C5,C6 and C7 the thoracic area from T5 to T9 was very narrowed and an old compression fracture at T7, a herniated disc at L5 S1.

The professor of spinal surgery put all this in his report, but in 2018 and in February of this year, 2 rheumatologists disagreed with him and said that PsA is not responsible and just said that my spine problems were age-related.

I’ve had many physiotherapy treatments, painkillers, and anti-depressants. These are mainly for lack of sleep because of chronic tinnitus, which is caused by my neck, and 1 six-week course of cortisone tablets. I am currently with a new physiotherapist who is trying a new treatment for my neck. He has also told me that my neck is responsible for the tinnitus.

Update after viewing my MRI: the physio didn’t want to touch my neck.

It will be 2023 in a few days. 40 years of struggling with this illness sorry, but I have had enough.