Joined today
I joined the forum today to connect with people that will have an understanding of the disease. I feel that it is a hidden illness and even though people may know that you have PSA it is obviously difficult for them to understand how much pain you may be going through and the impact of tiredness.
I was diagnosed about 2 years ago after swelling and pain in my fingers became progressively worse. It started in my little finger and over the years spread across all but the thumbs. It wasn't until a locum gp asked if I had a rash, that I said yes I have had one for many years on my buttocks and legs that he diagnosed psoriosis ant the rest is history.
I am so happy to have found this forum and look forward to getting to know it's many members.
Welcome to the community,
(love that name!). So great to have you here! I'm super impressed by your locum GP - thank goodness he thought to ask that question! Did you go on any treatment once you got your diagnosis?
- Catherine, Community Moderator
Hi Cathy,
Thank you for your welcome. I love flowers and there is so much blossom around at the moment that the name just came to me 😊
I was so lucky that the locum asked about the rash because I had just put up with it for as long as I can remember and had no idea that it could be related.
I was then referred to the rheumatologist had xrays of my hand and was diagnosed officially. I have quite a lot of damage to the joints nearest to my finger tips. To slow down the progression I was started on Methotrexate. The dose has been altered a few times due to blood results but I have no other side effects so I think I'm quite lucky.One of my neighbours has a tree in their garden which has pink blossom on it at the moment. It is SO beautiful! I love flowers too.
That's good to hear about the methotrexate. Do you feel that it's doing a good job at slowing things down? I took my sixth dose at the weekend so I'm still in the early stages of taking it!
Hi Cathy, initially it was ok but then my bloods went a bit hay wire. They reduced the dose and it's been fine. I'm lucky I have had no bad side effects at all, as in feeling unwell. However at the moment I seem to be having a flare, my skin is scaly and sore, and I have some pain in my shoulder and knee, I'm also sleeping a lot more than is usual for me. I had my bloods taken last week and my inflammation markers went up from 7 to 44 so I'm having a repeat test on Wednesday.
Oh no, I'm sorry to read that you're flaring,
🙁 It does sound like you are going through it a bit. Good luck for the test tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you! <3
Thank you Cathy, I'll let you know the results when I get them.
I'm ok I think I've got away lightly compared to a lot of people on the forum. This latest flare has been the worse though, hopefully it can be nipped in the bud. I hope you have good results with Methotrexate. X
