Hello, I'm Judy . This is my first post

[Guest guest]

Hi I'm new to this board. I am a 52 year widow. I live in Lou. KY. I

have been doing some reading on the board and decided to share my

story.

I was recently diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. It all started

with inflammation in my shoulder first which I was seeing an OD for.

It was diagnosed as bursitis, and then worked down into my wrist and

fingers the next year. I took cortisone shots for this and during

that time I did get relief.. But was advised that I could only take

3 of them a year.

Next the pain, swelling and inflammation moved to my right middle

finger, and ring finger and wrist which I was told was carpal tunnel.

All this time I was being treated with celebrex and darvacet, or

whatever I could get my hands on for the pain. I iced it and did all

the right things but it got progressively worse with my right hand

and fingers swelling so bad while sleeping that when I woke up, I

could barely open my hand because of the stiffness. The pain in my

fingers was like someone was using a hammer on them. I decided to

have some tests run and made an appointment with my MD.

All during this time I was slowly getting red spots on my legs that

looked like bites. They began to spread and got much worse which took

me to a dermatologist. Early on he couldn't tell if it was psoriasis

or execma, and he prescribed some topical cream. I take a medication

called lamitctal and I knew that a severe rash could e a side

effect. I talked to him about that possibility..He said that it

wasn't that. The skin condition basically stayed until about 5

months ago when I had surgery. After that it got terrible and I

called the DD again. I started using Sarna Cream, special soap, and

Hydrophillic Ointment, an emollient cream that my friend gave me that

they had given her dad for bed sores. Actually I think that helps

more than anything.

While waiting on the appointment with th D, I had an appointment to

see my MD. She had ran a lot of test on me because of my complaints

of the swelling and pain in my hands .She told me that my sed. rate

was high as well as my liver enzymes and had called me back in for

more testing.

She saw the shape I was with the PS. . I was telling her about how

out of control it had gotten since my surgery a month or so before,

and with the pain in my joints she became very concerned., and called

my DD and told him to get me in right away.

.. I had done my own research and decided that it was psoriasis, and

I had read about the different types. I had put two and two together

and talked to my MD about the possibility, with the symptoms I was

having, that it could be PA. She said it was a strong possibility .

I was referred to a Rheumatologist as well as a Gasro. D.

After having seen my dermatologist and telling him that the

treatment he was giving me was not working and had gotten so much

worse. I also told him about the possibility of having PA. After

getting the fax from my MD, and talking to me about the Arthritis

symptoms he diagnosed me with PA . He said he wanted to treat this

aggressively and gave me a pamphlet on Enbrel for me read over, and

gave me some kenalog shots in the more severe places where I have the

P. He also said that the surgery probably caused the flare up with

the P.I have had 4 surgeries in as many years. He said that could

have triggered all this because of the shock to my immune system..I

have not began Enbrel yet.

I called my MD and asked her which specialist I should go to first,

the RD or the GD. I was pretty overwhelmed by this time. She said go

to the Gastro.. D so we can find out about the liver enzymes. She

and my D had figured out that it was PA. this has all occurred in

the last 3 weeks.

.

It has been difficult accepting all this. The last few years have

not only been the most stressful, but the most painful years of my

life.

I am glad I found this site. I hope to get support and information

that will help me cope with the changes in my body and life that this

condition has caused..

I have read about possible problems associated with using Enbrel. It

is the only drug that I have researched. I also read about the

successes help, and hope this drug has given people. I wanted to ask

if most of you go to RD, D, both, and hope you will share your

struggles and successes with me.

I read about the diet of no bread products. I freak just thinking

about that. I love my pasta and bread so much. But I am thinking

that at this point that I have to make choices for my health that I

have never had to make. I am 50 lbs overweight, some of which I

attribute to the shots, and from having the female and hernia

surgery which left me weak and fatigued, and forced me into

menopause.

Last, I am confused, stressed and sad about all this. I have dealt

with medical issues my whole life having raised a daughter with

spinabifida, and having my husband die 7 years ago from a serious

heart condition, I have also been in treatment for depression for

years. I feel at a loss as to where to turn and who to trust since it

took so long to get this diagnosed, and I was the one that brought it

up.. I have lost some faith in the medical profession too.

I feel I have been on a merry go round for several years. Perhaps

this is a difficult condition to diagnose , but I basically diagnosed

it myself after my research on the Internet.

..

Well, I have written a book here. I feel better getting it all out.

I'm not sure you all will agree.lol It is a lengthy story.

I look forward to hearing from anyone that would care to write back

to me.

Thanks so much and blessings to you,

Judy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/03/2006 02:10:25 GMT Standard Time, Jjgunnels@...

writes:

Hi I'm new to this board. I am a 52 year widow. I live in Lou. KY. I

have been doing some reading on the board and decided to share my

story.

Hi Judy,

Welcome to the group. I'm sorry that you had to suffer so much with this

disease before they eventually gave you the correct diagnosis although, as you

say, you really did it yourself.

Enbrel has been good for most of us who have gone on to it. I know

occasionally you will read about someone it didn't work for because they were

allergic

to it or it just, well, didn't work but that seems to be the minority. Good

luck with it if you decide to go ahead and try it.

I'm sorry about your husbands death. I hope you have managed to cope ok with

that as the years have passed.

I hope you are able to keep in touch Judy. Let us know how things are going

on the Enbrel if you decide to go for it.

Again, welcome.