I Woke Up In A New World With Psoriatic Arthritis

By punkinpie

1 min read

I woke up in a world of pain and anger. Psoriatic arthritis has caused me more pain than I have ever known. Also, more anger.

Anger and psoriatic arthritis

I am angry that this happened to me. I am angry at doctors who look at me like I am a dope head. I am angry at the people who tell me it is all in my head. But as angry as i am, I would never wish this on anybody. I could drive a five hour round trip to the pain center every month, but why bother?

Treatment and my immune system

They do not give me strong enough meds to kill the pain, just strong enough to frustrate me. So why bother. The shots that do help a little, lower my immune system so much that not only do I hurt, I am too sick to function.

I need help, but dont know where to get it. Its a new world.

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Lori.Foster Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention user-id="3314776" username="punkinpie"/> You sounded exhausted and overwhelmed. Are you new to PsA or have you been dealing with this a long time? PsA presents differently in everyone, so it can take lots of trial and error to find the right medication. We have a couple of advocates who have found relief with natural treatments. Here is an article from one of those advocates that you might find helpful: <a href='https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/natural-pain-relief/?fbclid=iwar3ugvocbeskwonfmw5icnoei_btmv5l9w9wnuit98veyr85nj1fkx4jbzq' target='_blank'>https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/natural-pain-relief/?fbclid=IwAR3ugVOCbesKWoNfmw5icnoeI_BtMv5L9w9WnUIt98VeYR85NJ1fKx4JbzQ</a>. Five hours round trip is a long way to go for a pain clinic. Would you consider talking with them about creating longer stretches between in-person appointments and using tele-med in between? Many practices are getting more comfortable with tele-medicine thanks to Covid-19. If you really feel your doctor isn't listening to you, maybe it's time to find a new one. You need and deserve a doctor who is communicative and compassionate. Keep in mind that you are paying for the services. You have a right to shop around for the best quality care. Please keep me posted as to how you are doing. I will be thinking of you! - Lori (Team Member)
1. itsuptome92171 Member
 Hi Lori. I wanted to reply to your comment because the new laws related to pain medication have made it so difficult for pain patients. There is no way possible for punkinpie to go longer stretches between visits. Every single month she will have to go into the office to pick up a prescription. Gone are the days of forwarding prescriptions to the pharmacy if it's a pain drug. Gone are the days of having a prescription with a number of refills on them. It's no longer allowed for pain patients. Most pain patients are heavily scrutinized and most have to submit to drug testing monthly. The government has cracked down on pain management doctors writing prescriptions to many pain patients in need. Too many people were overdosing on pain meds and seeking a willing doctor to write the prescription for hundreds of pills at a time. While I see the need to make sure all patients are in need of a drug before writing the prescription, I feel that the government has become way too involved in the implementation of laws and "guidance" that doctors must follow. We need to take the medical licenses away from the doctors that abuse their powers yet leave the good doctors alone to practice medicine to the best of their abilities because a cookie cutter approach to medicine just doesn't work.
kath78 Member
Hi punkinpie, Have you been diagnosed for long? I have had PsA for 26 years, since I was 13-14 years old. I fully understand what you’re going through but sometimes it can take a few weeks for medication to kick in and sometimes you have to try different medication to see which works best for you. I hope you can get your pain under some control as I know it is horrendous.
rachstarr Member
Hi punkinpie, I can relate to what you wrote. I find myself being angry sometimes due to PsA. I was angry that it robbed me of my childhood. I do not remember a day without worrying if I was not going to have a flare. I was angry at certain family members for not taking my symptoms to heart. I recall going to a child museum not having fun. I began to experience bad pain in my left ankle and started to limp. My Father had ignored the fact that I was limping. I finally decided to address my pain with him on our walk back to the car. He told me, "R it is only minor arthritis in your ankle caused by inflammation. Just take some Advil." This should have been a red flag to him. I am also angry that different doctors blew me off and acted although it was "all in my head." I try to remind myself when I get angry what I have to be thankful for. I know there are others who have it worse than myself. I hope you found some relief that takes away the pain and anger. RS
kitzers1 Member
See a Rheumatologist/Pain Specialist. Its normal to be angry, we all get angry especially when we hurt. To avoid pain meds, I use Medical Marijuana. I also exercise, gently. Our anger needs worked on however I believe because we have a long way to go with this affliction and being angry makes your pain worse as we tense up and give up. There are also options to slow down the affects of it. I currently take weekly shots of Methotrexate. Find a Doctor you can talk to, and being here on this site is helpful as there are many who experience the same. It helps to know you are not alone in this. Try to take that anger and put it into something that will benefit your current abilities Dont underestimate yourself on what you can do. Also, I think when I got the Dx I was devastated, however you must go on, so you go to another level of living and it is a lonely one, esp if you dont know anyone else who has it. Drink lots of water daily. Take baths when in pain and ask for a tens unit. I love mine. It will be alright as you will build the stregnth to deal with it, because we have to. Dont rely on pain meds, you can have a better life without them. They in themselves can cause problems. If you feel your pain then do something else to relieve it. If you are young, you need to be able to use the pain meds later in life. It could be worse then and you dont want to the pain meds to not work for you. These are just some of the things I think of for your current state. In Kind Regards, just another one with the disease too. Im not doctor or anything this is just my experience.
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 Thank you for sharing this <inline-mention user-id="3293232" username="kitzers1"/> . Everyone sharing their own experience really helps each other. You are amazing. Vickie W., Community Moderator
susie36 Member
I am angry too! I mourn the person I was before my symptoms became so overwhelming. I feel for you sister!