intro

[Guest guest]

I've been occasionally lurking for a few months and have finally had

a chance for an intro post.

I was officially dx'd with PsA this past summer. I've unknowingly

had psoriasis since my early 20's (now 37). Nearly three years ago,

I had six strep throat infections and not long after starting having

nail changes (always had pitting) and then psoriasis on my scalp. It

was misdiagnosed for quite some time as first ringworm, then a fungal

infection. About the same time as the nail changes, I started having

chronic low back pain.

I self-referred to a rheumy over a year ago and he totally blew me

off, saying, " You must have broken your tailbone sometime. " No lab,

no Xrays, minimal physical exam. I was so mad. I then went to a

chiropractor who at least took spinal Xrays. I have severe

degeneration in my cervical spine (more in line with OA). My lumbar-

sacral area doesn't show anything on Xray.

The chiro helped my neck a little bit, but it did nothing for my

lower back. At the same time, I had a huge plantar fasciitis flare

up so the podiatrist put me on Mobic 15. It helped my back for quite

some time. It got expensive when my new insurance wouldn't cover it,

so I went to taking Aleve. That helped for awhile, too.

Finally this past summer I'd had enough. The plantar fasciitis came

back with a vengeance. We'd moved and the new podiatrist did an MRI

of my foot and ankle, b/c I also had some serious ankle pain. The

MRI showed extensive fluid on my ankle, and also in my large toe. My

bunions that I've had for a long time are arthritic.

I self-referred to a pain clinic while waiting to find a family

practice doc. They finally took me seriously and did a full lab

workup and also static and motion Xrays. I tried Relafen and it

didn't do squat, so I went back on Mobic.

I was doing so-so for a few months, but now I've had enough. I just

went to the FP doc and told him I needed a referral to a rheumy, so

that will happen next week. I've been dealing with a lot of

depression from " adjustment disorder " due to our out-of-state move,

and from hormonal changes, so the doc put me on Effexor 37.5 to see

if it helps until I can get in to see the rheumy.

In addition to the PsA, I have the OA in my neck and also polycystic

ovarian syndrome. So I'm on a lot of meds: oral contraceptive

(monophasic Levlen taken continously), Avandia, Spironolactone,

Verapamil (migraine prevention), Mobic, and now the Effexor.

The FP said it sounds like I need a DMARD, and I agree. Things are

just quickly progressing and I feel like I'm falling apart. I have

kids ages 8 and 6. I homeschool the 8 yr old, and the 6 yr old

(public school) has multiple disabilities. So I need to keep up with

them.

The joints that bother me are the aforementioned neck and low back,

plantar fascia, R ankle, R jaw joint, three L finger joints

(thankfully not the hand I write with), R & L large toes, L elbow, L

knee...I think that's all (this week anyway).

Thankfully the psoriasis is usually limited to my scalp. The FP gave

me a 'script for Clobetasol today that I think will help. It's been

an hour since I put it on and already feel better. I use Denorex and

Scalpacin it helps some, but not much. I've had spots on my neck and

elbow and can get rid of it with capisican arthritis rub. I just

keep my nails trimmed down and it helps.

I appreciate having a group to read and feel " at home " with

others in the same situation. I'm on many other groups for other

topics, so this is an easy way to connect. Thank you to the

moderators!

Off to take a nap and rest my fingers after all this typing!