from Australia, New to the group..

[Guest guest]

Hello Everybody

I'm from Queensland, Australia, and new to your group, I'm 55 and I've had

PA for 5 years, although i had no idea what it was, also Psoriasis (skin) for

about 20 years, Just this week on one of my periodic attempts to discover what

i'm suffering

from, I've been told that I almost certainly have PA, I'm waiting to see a

specialist to confirm this, which could take a couple of months, or more. I've

been diagnosed with having Gout, Arthritis and suspected of Lupus, and generally

suspected of having absolutely nothing wrong with me at all, except for the

swellings in ankles, knee and fingers, I've also spent a small fortune on

alternative medicine. I've had stiff shoulders for three

years, at one time couldn't lift my arms past my shoulders, also lots of pain.

I have been taking Anaprox (Naproxen Sodium) but now am on Celebrex (Celecoxib)

which, I'm told doesn't affect the stomache, and so far appears to relieve the

stiffness and pain. As it isn't on our Government prescription list I have to

pay full price, which at the moment is A$40.00 a months supply, I also take

Glucosamine Sulphate tablets, which is sold in a pill form and sold in Health

food

shops here at about A$20

for a months supply, which I believe helps, I also swim twice a week, nothing

strenuous, which I find is very good.

Before the PA started I had been a heavy drinker, and very active person and had

been medically advised to stop drinking completely, as it was seriously damaging

my health, So i

stopped and haven't had any alcohol since. Until recently I had secretly blamed

my aches and

pains on my previous drinking, and now that I realise that isn't so, I feel very

angry

right now with the medical profession both medical and alternative for not even

bothering to find

out what really was wrong with me. When I read of the symptoms in your letters I

realise it couldn't be anything else but PA

I've read recently the the Chinese exercise Tai-Chi is very good for Arthritis,

as it is a no impact and a slow excercise,

it's something I learnt many years, ago, and I should start it again.

Sausage fingers or toes, I prefer fingers as I enjoy walking when I can,

although recently I've found I can't wear rings any more as my fingers are

swollen.

All the best everyone

I'll be reading your letters and hope I can contribute to your group.

jjmone@... <mailto:jjmone@...>

ps, some of you mention exhaustion, is this part of pa, as i get terribly

exhausted sometimes. Can anyone recommend any books or websites?