Hello All

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

I'm new to the group (even though I have been reading the posts for

awhile).

I'm 39 and live in the Seattle area. I first noticed signs back in

April; I had pain and stiffness in my fingers in both my left and

right hands. I have been a professional guitarist for years and just

related this to overplaying or not stretching. I then " thought " I had

injured my knee but nothing was getting better months later. To back

up a little I was diagnosed with Psoriasis when I was 25 but after

medications and trying to reduce the stress in my life it went away

for the most part with the occasional patch but nothing major.

I work in the tech industry as a contractor and currently do not have

health insurance. I am able to enroll in January. I thought I could

stick it out till then. After reading up on PA on the internet I knew

what was going on and talked to my GP who gave me some pain

medications and told me to stick with ibuprofen (about 1800mg a day)

knowing that the current PA medications can be really expensive and

the whole " pre existing conditions " and insurance company's.

Anyways coming current to today PA has just about affected all my

joints from my jaw to my feet. I am currently barely able to walk or

I should say hobble. The pain in my ankles, feet, knees in just about

unbearable when trying to walk.

Health insurance or not I need to see a rheumatologist ASAP. I have

yet to be diagnosed with PA but after reading the posts here for a

few months I feel like I'm reading my diary.

I noticed there are some people here in the Seattle area and I'm

looking for a recommendation for a rheumatologist that is well versed

in PA any advice would be greatly appreciated.