There is a family history of PsA,psoriasis.Ive had aches and pains,and very mild skin problems for the past 5 years as far as I can remember.I ignored it all,and thought about old age being the cause,im 52.About 3 months ago I stood in a hole at work and wrenched my knee,and my world crumbled.I took some time off to rest a very swollen knee,and awoke to severe pain in multiple places,fingers,wrists,elbows,shoulders and especially in my hips,upperlegs,back.I live alone,i couldn’t walk,get out of bed,eat or drive.I live in a new city for me and had nobody I could call on to help out.Ive never been so scared in my life as I had no-idea what was wrong,just kept trying to sleep it off,i think I had massive fatigue going on as I just couldn’t think straight and felt exhausted.It took three weeks of being like this before I got to a doctor,and from there into hospital as I just couldn’t function.So preliminary idea is that I have PsA.I have a rhemotology app tomorrow,I take naproxen which holds things at bay so I can get some work done,but it comes and goes,the mornings are a train wreak as I awake and try and get warmed up and unstiffened.i had a great week last,that all changed today as I’m at my worst again.It just does my head in 
Oh wow that was sudden! I’m so sorry it happened! And especially when you didn’t know anyone yet!
Welcome! I know it sucks to have this disease… but having a name and more importantly a treatment plan is much better! I hope they will get yours under control soon!
Good luck at your appointment tomorrow!
Hi random and welcome!
I hope your appointment results in a firm diagnosis and treatment that will make a big difference, whatever that diagnosis may be. However I would say that [quote=“random, post:1, topic:7060”]
It just does my head in
[/quote] almost qualifies as a symptom of PsA in my opinion. That one good week for example … it’s great isn’t it? Until it stops abruptly. Classic!
Living alone in a new city must indeed make all this extremely hard to handle and rather scary. But getting a rheumatology appointment is a big step forward. The treatment for this disease can work very well indeed, there’s an element of trial and error, the drugs tend to take a while to kick in and there will be ups and downs, but many of us leave the scariest times behind us once we have a good doctor looking out for us and get a handle on the disease.
My symptoms were very much as you describe some years ago, though I would not have been able to work. There was slow but definite improvement following diagnosis, then more and more improvement … I can remember the misery but I’ve not experienced anything even half that bad since.
So glad you’ve found us. Please check in any time you feel wobbly and when you have something to celebrate! In fact just keep us posted full-stop 'cos I’m sure I won’t be the only one who is crossing all their fingers for you.
Hi random,
That must have been such a terrifying experience for you. Just awful. But as the others have already said it does improve.
As for morning train wreck experiences - try using hot and cold. So put a ice pack or a frozen bag on peas on the the worst affected area for 5 mins and then put a heat wrap (warmed up in the microwave) or a hotwater bottle on the same place for 5 mins. Repeat for about 30 mins. That often helps loosen things up just a little. You may find you prefer the cold or the hot better too so go with which feels the nicest. I’ve never tried it but some people swear by Epsom Salts baths for helping too. That is of course if you’re capable of getting in and out of the bath.
As for the fatigue, it’s fairly overwhelming isn’t it? But you’ll find it eases just a bit and you get more used to it too. At your appointment do discuss whether your doctor would prescribe you some prednislone (steroids). They often help quite significantly at the beginning but they are only a short term solution but can get some people back on their feet whilst waiting for the more coherent meds to be prescribed and indeed to take effect.
And the fact that it all does your head in is perfectly normal. It’s done all of our heads in at varying times. Indeed I spent all last year having a significant temper tantrum about it. Yes honestly and I’m 55 so far too old to be indulging in that!!! So be gentle with yourself. It is a physical and emotional rollercoaster sometimes.
That’s why forums like this one are so good. You can be supported through your worst times on here and also find you can celebrate your best times too. So ask as many questions as you like and you’ll find at least one of us can usually answer it.
Best of luck.
Random welcome to welcome random.
I think all of us at one point or another have had the “hey I’m doing great, things are who the hell put that cliff there why am I broken now?” moments. Still, we can hope for is that we can get to a point with meds and lifestyle changes that those moments come far fewer and less destructive.
Welcome Random! I too am new here and I have had PsA for over 5 years now. It has it’s ups and downs that’s for sure! I hope you find the support you need on here! Take care!
thanks for the welcome guys,had the rehumo consult yesterday,he says PsA…most likely,i guess that’s as close as they get to a definitive diagnosis at the early stages?Im taking Prednisone which ive had before and also started on Sulphasalazine,anyone had experience with this drug before?i see aload of bad side effects can come with it so any info would be helpful,cheers.
hi and welcome. Some people do great with sulfasalazine. Others don’t tolerate it well. It is hard to tell until you try it. Glad you got your diagnosis and are starting on treatment.
The steroids should help with the energy issues for now which is always a relief as you no doubt know. And let’s hope the sulphasalazine does good for you too. Let us know how it goes.