A long journey to get the diagnosis!

Sadly, my diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis has taken about 20 years. My former rheumatologist never even mentioned this disease or the possibility of it. My labs all have shown very high inflammation, but no positive RA factor, and I don't have the typical nodules that often go with RA. This rheumatologist kept adding more and more medication to relieve the symptoms, but I still felt poorly. I felt best while on a steroid.

My new doctor saw the pits and ridges in my fingernails and had a clue. I have relatives with plaque psoriasis, but I haven't had any activity like that since I was a young teenager. Then, my scalp took on a life of its own and I needed a prescription shampoo. That calmed down the flaking and crusting and miserable itching.

Managing psoriatic arthritis joint symptoms

Fast forward 50 years, and I have no plaques, but I have painful joints all over my body. This past flare showed me that my tendons were truly involved as well. My hands and fingers locked on and off during the day, but in the morning was a different story. My hands couldn't be closed and the four fingers of each hand were painfully locked. Before bed, sometimes I tape multiple fingers together to avoid the painful unlocking in my sleep. My sleep improved that night.

My current plan to manage my PsA

As of yesterday, I have begun the biologic, Enbrel. I'm very hopeful it will bring some relief. Prednisone is helpful for the short term, but taken for great lengths of time can have serious side effects. Weight gain is one side effect I'd rather avoid as I recently lost around 120 pounds the old-fashioned way. Better diet and light exercise. I don't count calories and often follow intermittent fasting. Also, I try to get my protein from plant sources. I have nothing against eating meat, but have always had concerns about getting substances like antibiotics and growth hormones through meat and poultry. My plan is to continue this lifestyle for the rest of my life. As far as Enbrel and Prednisone and Plaquinel, hopefully, the best is yet to come in how I feel.