My Story (Journey to the unknown)

I am currently a 66-year-old male. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis 6 years ago.

I had a history of hypothyroidism, heart disease, (triple bypass 2012), chronic non-cardiac chest pain (nerve damage from the triple bypass), Raynaud's, depression, chronic pain issues in general, Carpal tunnel syndrome, and the list just goes on and on!

Getting diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis

In 2014, I began to have episodes of destabilizing pain. Unable to get out of bed, I went to the hospital three times. C reactive protein was in the 400's. They ran an IV on me to bring down the levels. After the third time, they told me to go to the big city hospital as they had nothing else they could offer me?

Anyways, I had just had my first visit with a rheumatologist and had not been diagnosed or on any meds when I had another attack three days after my visit, my family managed to get me out of bed and into the car. What a terrible drive that was... they kept me for 6 days, running every test under the sun! Their official diagnosis was gout!!

My rheumatologist was in shock that I had spent a week in the hospital only to be told that I had gout!! He stated that it was very unlikely I had gout that caused pain in every joint and fiber of my body.

On the next visit, he diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis.

Life after a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis

I am currently on Simponi auto injections once monthly, sulfasalazine, prednisone, and Leflunomide.

I still have flares occasionally. I'm tired, moody, have skin rashes, am in a fog most of the time, and in general hate my life. Sometimes I think I could have lupus, but the doctor will not go there.

I hope they find something to help all of us!! People are so condescending as they can't see our disease, and that includes our spouses!!

Have the best day you can where and how your body lets you?