My Psoriatic Arthritis Pain and Mental Health

By russell-evans

2 min read

Hi,

I'm 56 years old, male, and have been dealing with Psoriatic Arthritis now for over 8 years. The link between autoimmune disease, pain, depression, and the stigma that goes with it.

Psoriatic arthritis and mental health

I have noticed my depression, anxiety, mood swings from uncontrollable crying to threatening behaviour, memory problems to suicidal thoughts (not that I would do it, have not got the balls and it would upset a few people). I feel something is not right in my head. People say go to the doctor for help, but all he wants to do is UP my medication and go and see a shrink (been there done that and it is not the answer).

Painful symptoms

The problem is and nobody gets it is PAIN management!!! How can you explain this to someone who is not going through what you're going through? They don't get it. I am so fatigued and tired all the time. Why? They say exercise will do you good. I can't walk to the letterbox without getting breathless. The burning pain in my lower back, hands, fingers, knees, feet, toes, ankles. I can no longer work anymore because of this shit I live with every day. I also have (PRD) Peripheral Artery Disease. Ultrasound showed my right leg 70% blocked and my left leg 60% blocked. Insomnia. I take 15mg Mirtazapine which helps me sleep for half the night. The other half of the night I just lay there with so much shit running through my head, Now in the morning it's a whole other drama just getting out of bed!!! Still, nobody gets it. I need pain management. They tell me to take Paracetamol. O.K that's 6 tablets a day 42 tablets a week 2,688 a year, THAT DON'T BLOODY WORK FOR MY PAIN? (Hello) I take DMARDS for my Psoriatic Arthritis, 51 tablets a week, 2,652 a year.

Manaing multiple conditions with psoriatic arthritis

This is where the link between autoimmune disease comes in. I have an enlarged prostate where I have trouble peeing. I can not empty my bladder unless I have a bowel movement first to take the pressure of my bladder. Sexual dysfunction. Might as well cut the bastard off does not work. The Misses not happy. Is there a link between autoimmune disease and these problems? I suggest YES. Now how do we fix this? A proper pain management plan PLEASE. I do not want to take an opiate-based medication because I have seen what it does to the people that take it. CBD oil in Australia is still far too expensive and too many hoops you have to jump through and there is no way I can afford it.

Is there somebody out there in Psoriatic Arthritis land who can help me?

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Lori.Foster Community Admin
Hi Russell. It's no wonder you are depressed considering the pain you are in. Are you planning to have surgery for the peripheral artery disease? If the blood flow to your legs is that poor, your medication might not be circulating well through the rest of your body. We discovered my father had peripheral artery disease when he developed an infection in his leg and no antibiotics touched it, not even IV antibiotics. He felt so much better overall after surgery. Are you getting any treatment for your enlarged prostate? It seems that you might feel better overall if your other conditions were under control. That might require gathering up the energy for one big episode of self-advocacy. It can be incredibly frustrating to deal with so many different doctors for your various conditions, but the enlarged prostate and the peripheral artery disease can both be successfully treated and you deserve to have them treated. I am not sure how the Australian medical system works. Do you have pain management centers there? Here is an article that you might find helpful. It is from one of our advocates who explores alternatives to opioids, specifically Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy, or PEMF. <a href='https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/pemf-therapy-chronic-pain/' target='_blank'>https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/pemf-therapy-chronic-pain/</a>. It might be worth looking into. I know you had a negative experience with a psychiatrist, but would you consider trying another one? There are some great psychiatrists out there and there are some really lousy ones. Maybe you got a lousy one. A good psychiatrist will try to determine whether the chemicals in your brain are out of balance and will medicate you in such a way that you get that balance back. I hope you find relief from your pain and your depression. Please keep me updated. I will be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
1. russell-evans Member
 Hi,Lori Thanks for replying to my story, I'v got a new doctor now and he is so much more helpful than the other one,In Australia most of my problems can be treated free in public Hospitals but the waiting lists are a Mile long,I can not work because of my problems,I do not have privet health insurence not getting Government Asstance because of the paper work and all the hoops i have to jump though to get it Just can't deal with it !!! PRD got to be more than 70% blocked before they will treat you, Public system waiting list mile <a href='http://long.Psychology' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>long.Psychology</a> Mental Health Public system waiting list mile long, you get who they give you,Prostrate Urology Public system waiting list mile long and pain management public system 2 miles long. Would be a different story if i had a pocket full of Cash,The Rich get Richer the poor get the picture, But it is what it is and i'll just have to deal with it,Thank you so much for all your kind words,Russell xxx
2. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 That sounds incredibly frustrating, @Russell-Evans. It seems that all over the world, healthcare is either free, but hard to access, or easy to access, but insanely expensive. I hope you find a way to navigate the system and get the help you need. In the meantime, we are here for you whenever you need support or a place to vent. Best of all wishes! - Lori (Team Member)
noahsnana Member
Hi Russell, I am sorry to hear of the pain you have to experience daily. It’s sad that no one “gets it”, not even most doctors. I started journaling and doing some arts and crafts to try and keep my mind occupied, it helps, but like you, the pain is still there and sitting for long periods of time just is not the answer. Try writing down your thoughts, with something positive that you’ve went through that day. I hope this helps and hope you will start feeling better. Let us know how you’re feeling and if we can help you in any way. Blessings and good vibes to you

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