Are you kidding me?
In 1996, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and had a discectomy L3 and L4. While recovering, I got very sick with a staph infection and almost died. Life went on.
I always had terrible pain mainly in my shoulders. My right rotator and labrum in my left arm were torn to shreds. So in 1997, I had surgery. They had to make a 6" incision around my left shoulder and do a lot of reconstructive work. My shoulder never really was without pain and gradually I have lost a lot of mobility, cannot raise it above my head, etc. Doctors said this was all in the name of osteoarthritis.
Living with multiple health conditions
Around 2000, I was wheezing and was diagnosed with sleep apnea and needed 2 liters of oxygen at night. It was then that I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. As time went on, I would have slight injuries I thought, but every x-ray showed osteoarthritis. They replaced my right hip in 2018, diagnosed me with A-fib and a flutter, and had a heart ablation in February of 2022. It was successful, however, I came down with such an attack on so many joints I could not believe it.
Experiencing skin symptoms
Just 4 months ago, I also had been having, not rashes, just a lesion every so often. Really probably for 3 years. They didn't hurt or itch. The doctor gave me a steroid ointment. They would heal in time, however, they left a faint pink scar. I have the lupus butterfly rash, but blood work didn't convince my rheumatologist of lupus.
Finally getting a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis
I finally went to my dermatologist who did a biopsy of a lesion and it came back as psoriasis, some other blood work convinced my rheumatologist for the time being that I have psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Every now and then, if I need a joint x-rayed, usually an orthopedic doctor, I ask what he can do. They say the joint is so destroyed it should be replaced. I also should mention, I am in the 3rd stage of kidney failure. I believe I have had this disease for years upon years!
As I educate myself and take the load-up meds, this psoriatic arthritis can attack every single thing I have mentioned... I would appreciate anyone's feedback on my story the more replies the better, thank you all.
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