Hi! Here's my story

I've had well-controlled psoriasis for years but developed arthritis Fall 2012. I knew what it was right away and got into the rheumatologist quickly. I tried NSAIDs and OTC pain meds but started on Enbrel in January and started MTX this week. I've struggled to find an NSAID that works and doesn't cause too many side effects. I use Lortab as needed but hate the feeling it gives me. As a wife, mother, and medical student, I can't afford to feel foggy.

I battled many ankle sprains last year and had both ankles operated on in December 2012, then broke my left in Feb 2013. I was in so much pain even after the fracture healed and we finally figured out that my arthritis is attacking my ankles because of the invasive procedures done. I had been angry at my ankles but am now angry with my arthritis since that has been behind the injuries all this time. I've stayed positive, telling myself that many people with psoriatic arthritis don't get diagnosed quickly or have access to meds and I've been lucky in that sense. But I'm 26 and handicapped and so limited on what I can do. Since it's an invisible disease, people don't know I'm in pain. People don't know that I'm sick because of the MTX.

I've started exercising using an eliptical and bike machine at the gym and I feel stable and it feels good. I've had no difference in my pain yet but I just started so I'm looking forward to seeing what it does for me. Our pool is warming up so I'm sure I can exercise there soon in addition.

So the pain is my worst symptom but hoping the addition of MTX and exercise help.

I've felt pretty alone lately because I'm surrounded by young, fit, capable people. I've just felt so old. My husband doesn't understand either. I needed his help yesterday because I was sick to my stomach from the MTX and he got frustrated and yelled at me.

I was very excited to find this site. I'll look forward to getting to know you all!

Welcome! I was dx with PsA at age 10, and I'm 41 now, so I definitely get the whole "surrounded by fit young people". I only feel like I'm fitting into a demographic now that my peers are starting to have health issues. There are a lot of great treatments now (biologics) compared to 1982. There are bunch of younger people here who can relate, as well as those of us who have been there done that having the disease as young adults.

This is a wonderful group. I'm sorry your husband doesn't get it. How many kids do you have? How old? Raising kids can be tough on its own, without throwing medical school into the mix.

Welcome to the site, we definitely understand what you're going through. It sucks that your hubby doesn't understand and yelled at you..Keep working with him and get him to understand. It took me a while to understand my wife's RA and now that I have PsA I truly understand.

Hang in there.

Welcome to the group Jo! You'll find people with a wide range of experiences. I was diagnosed when I was 36. In addition, I had back surgery (twice) when I was 25 years old. I had a really hard time with it, and was quite disabled by pain among other things. I wound up seeking treatment for depression, and it really helped me work through a lot of the issues I was having. It really changed my attitude, so that only rarely do I have pity parties for myself now. A lot of people with with chronic diseases face problems with depression, so you may want to keep this in the back of your head.

very true, i sought help of a counselor and it was a great idea. i still struggle with feeling down but am able to deal with it alot better now.

Stoney said:

Welcome to the group Jo! You'll find people with a wide range of experiences. I was diagnosed when I was 36. In addition, I had back surgery (twice) when I was 25 years old. I had a really hard time with it, and was quite disabled by pain among other things. I wound up seeking treatment for depression, and it really helped me work through a lot of the issues I was having. It really changed my attitude, so that only rarely do I have pity parties for myself now. A lot of people with with chronic diseases face problems with depression, so you may want to keep this in the back of your head.

I can totally relate I am 29 yrs old and people don't get it. my friends know that I have PsA and still feel i should be able to do everything because I am 29, they do not realize how much it ages you psychically.

Husband, kids and medical school is a lot for anyone to handle, even before throwing in a chronic disease! You are fortunate to have gotten in to a rheumatologist and started on appropriate treatment quickly. I hope that will help minimize the potential damage. (Where I live it's taking 3 - 4 months to get in with anybody.)

If your husband is anything like mine, he never met a problem he didn't think he could fix. His yelling at you may be frustration at being unable to fix you. Even so, he needs to cowboy up and share a little more of the load. And quit yelling. Especially quit yelling.

I'm interested in what you say about PsA attacking an injured body part. I have had nothing but trouble since a minor surgery on one hand two years ago. I sprained an ankle several years ago, and it took, no kidding, three years for the swelling to subside. Best of luck with all this.