New Mom, New PsA Diagnosis

So I guess it really started when I was 6 or 7. I saw a dermatologist for a red itchy rash on my legs. After several trips and skin scrapings, nothing was ever determined. As quickly as it started was as quickly as it disappeared. Into my late 20’s/early 30’s I distinctly remember the rash but it never came back.

The symptoms return

That was until the spring of 2018. The rash randomly showed up on my legs again even worse than I remember but by fall it was all but gone. That same May, I gave birth to my first child. A beautiful baby boy. Life has been a whirlwind ever since. One day rolled into the next and by spring 2019 the rash reappeared. This time even worse than the previous year. By July it had spread to my hands and by August I noticed severe fatigue, awful joint pain, muscle weakness, brain fog, hair loss. The list goes on and on. Every day I felt like I was waking up with the flu.

Official psoriatic arthritis diagnosis

I started first with my primary who referred me on. I was able to see a rheumatologist this past November. After extensive blood work (multiple trips since I started this crazy journey in September), X-rays, and an official psoriasis diagnosis from dermatology - I was told I have PsA.

I have tried at least 5 different anti-inflammatory medications (including a steroid) and 4 different muscle relaxants to try and keep my pain tolerable. I was just approved for Humira which I hope will help.

Work and family life with psoriatic arthritis

I am a CMA at a very busy pediatric cardiology practice. It is hard to go to work every day where I am on my feet the majority of the day and take at least 10,000 steps. By mid-morning, I am spent and need to just keep pushing through. And after my busy day is all said and done I pick up my energetic 19-month-old and continue to push myself to play and run around with him until bedtime. Some days are easier than others but most days I have to try and take it easy. I struggle to do the simplest things-like just pick up the baby's toys for him. Because of my constant pain, I feel like I am robbing him of a really fun mommy and me time. I have limited patience with him especially if I’m in the middle of a bad flare-up.

Searching for relief and balance

He is my driving force and my reason to push myself. Because of him, I need to find something to help my symptoms. He needs to have the best childhood possible. So basically as I struggle as a first time mom trying to figure out the crazy role of motherhood, I have the added struggle of trying to navigate through this newly diagnosed disease and I am trying to balance them both.

Have a story to share? You can submit your PsA story here!