Very confused

By marty62

1 min read

When I was diagnosed in 2011 with psoriatic arthritis I thought arthritis was just joint pain so I dealt with the wrist pain, finger pain, back pain, feet pain, and the fatigue. But in 2016 I couldn’t walk right I was very unsteady couldn’t climb any stairs the pain and for 3 months I suffered doctor upon doctor no answers. Just that the MRI shows some disks issues but nothing conclusive finally I was able to walk again dealt with the pain and went on

In August of 2018 to my horror it came back I couldn’t pick up my legs to walk I couldn’t rise from a chair I was so weak. I had to use a walker I fell 5 times I was in back pain, a headache every day. Fatigue, heart palpitations, severe Charlie horses at night. Stomach problems so they took an MRI they found an encroachment of my L3 root nerve, finally an answer. Nooo, that’s not what is causing your symptoms. So another MRI of my thighs the found fatty atrophy in my gluteal muscular need more tests. Went to see my Rheumatologist he tells me.

All of these symptoms are from my psoriatic arthritis disease that’s why. After now 4 months I can walk again still in severe pain but I can walk again until the next flare up. This is unreal. Anyone, can you relate to any of these symptoms?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

ClairG Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="3299272" username="marty62"/> Ithe is terrible to suffer with so much pain. When you know the source it does help alot, for me anyway. I have similar symptoms but nothing nearly as severe as yours. What are you using?
VickiN Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="3299272" username="marty62"/> , I think you've followed many down the rabbit hole 🙁 It really does just appear to be joints at first, but then things like chest pain, eye pain, inflammation of tendons and ligaments, fatigue, and trouble balancing creep in, and then it's a shock to discover they're all related to PsA. Are you working with a Rheumatologist to connect all these pieces? You are not alone here! -Victoria, Community Moderator
memaw Member
At least you were told the right diagnosis. I was told 12 years ago I had MS. This whole time it was just psoriasis-arthritis that was causing all my problems.
bumster Member
Hi marty62 just reading that made me emotional because that describes my last fifteen or so years this PSA disease has change my life but just know there are some good medicines out there just have to find the right one for you good luck hope the new year brings you some relief take care
dalmav41 Member
I have called 2 or 3 times now to my rheumatologist and complained about leg, “ oh come in we will talk , gives me shot in my knee well this doesn’t hope my all over leg pain. How many appts. Have I cancelled and friends nites out. And then concert tickets I have had to give away! My legs hurt, after 30 minutes of setting getting up is a chore! It’s unbelievable and scary and painfull!
josie Member
I surely can relate, I have struggled the past 2?years with same. Had joint problems all my life but diagnosed with PSA 2017. On Cosentyx now and doing ok, survival is what I call it. I will pray for you. Are you on biological?
tinmissy Member
I could have written pretty close to this same thing! I can’t believe it!!! I have atrophy in my left gluteal muscle, and weakness in both legs. My MRIs show degenerative disc disease in cervical and lumbar spine, with some foraminal stenosis. All labeled mild to moderate, so the doctors don’t think that is causing the weakness and atrophy occurring in my legs. I could hug you for posting your story!!! Finally, someone truly gets what I’m experiencing! I am having trouble getting a dx for PsA though. Thank you again!!!
1. rojo Member
 30+ yrs ago, a job with no health insurance benefits, I began to experience episodic pain in my left butt. It would begin around 7pm. Felt like a cramp. Within 2 hours the pain would extend to my knee and lower back while increasing to disabling intensity. The first three times I'd take Tylenol and finally drive to the local ER. I was told they could find nothing and implied I was seeking pain meds. LSS: Seven months later I had insurance, got a primary who believed the pain didn't originate in my butt but in my lumbar region. Prescribed naproxen. The pain was gone in an hour! I began taking ibuprofen when ever any pain started, bypassing the middleman. Ibuprofen was my new pain relief. FF30 yrs: diagnosed with PsA °—° l learn that ibuprofen isn't a magic pain pill it's an anti-inflammatory which is why most likely it worked. All this to wish you the endurance and persistence to keep searching for a doctor who will recognize your symptoms for what they truly are and prescribe accordingly.
marieblossom Member
Wow, yeah, that sounds so horrible! I can relate: 2 years ago I had what appeared to be a slipped disk. (incredible pain lower back, into my hip down to my knee) The MRI showed no damage to disks but I was in immense pain (I have birthed three kids and this was worse than any birth and it went on unrelentingly for 4 weeks 24 / 7!!!) I would cry out when the spasms came, my thigh hard as a rock. I could not sleep. I could hardly walk. I was a huge mess. The doctors thought I was drug seeking. I was distraught and nothing helped really. After week four things slowly improved. I still have muscle atrophy from this episode 2 years ago and a bit of weakness. It's just now that I am starting to realise that this was one of my bi-annual "Really Bad Flares" (I get flares above my baseline about 2-3x a year, where things worsen for about 2 months) It was probably the worst one since around the time of the first 2 years of my diagnosis 11 years ago. I hope that NEVER ever revisits. It was absolutely horrid. I hope this message finds you in better health than when you last wrote!!
1. Eileen14700 Moderator
 Thanks so much for sharing your incredible story, <a></a><a></a><a><inline-mention user-id="3298246" username="marieblossom"/></a>. I can only imagine how upsetting and stressful that horrid flare was. Have you been working with a rheumatologist to lessen the intensity of those monster flares? Hope you've found something that helps! -Eileen, <a href='http://Psoriatic-Arthritis.com' target='_blank'>Psoriatic-Arthritis.com</a> Team

Community Poll

When it comes to living with multiple health conditions, I've found my: