my name is Rebecca im 22 and have psoriatic arthritis (obviously) I was diagnosed in April but started having symptoms in February.
I hope you all are having a great day today and in not so much pain!!! I just a few questions and wondering if anyone could give me some friendly advice. I have not met anyone in Brisbane Australia with my disease nor around the same age so no one understands what im going through and i really have no one to talk I have been having a lot of down days.
im on methotrexate im only on 10 mg I was on 20 but it started to effect my liver ,does anyone else get sick when taking this tablet it makes me feel nausea all day and I tried taking travel calm but it doesn't help any other tips??
plus I have put on so much weight being in bed rest this year and im only 22 I no its normal when u have this disease but I really really hate being over weight and every time I go to the gym or walk it hurts so much plus my energy levels have decreased dramatically any suggestions on what i can do to get moving again..??
and just one more thing I was a hairdresser for 8 years but because of my disease I couldn't do my job anymore and im finding it hard to find something else that is a balance and wont make me have a flare up. its so frustrating. any ideas.
im not the best typer im sorry about that but i hope you all understand what im trying to say. maybe i should do a video blog instead.
Welcome to the group Rebecca! You are still pretty new to it, so you don't have good control over the disease. As some time goes by, you should see some improvement. Hard to believe, but likely true. You may want to check out some of the newbie materials, especially re. the gap.
What can you do to get moving again? Just get started. Even if you start off with 4 5 minute easy walks a day, it will get you up and moving. Moving is so important to dealing with this disease. If weight bearing is just unbearable, consider finding a pool. Again, you can start off by just walking in the pool, and then progress from there.
When I was diagnosed 7 years ago it was really hard to move. I felt like I was walking through a thick fog, and even just a short walk was challenging. But walk I did, and rested a lot during the day. It's tough, but you'll get there.
Aw I just hate to hear when people so young have PsA. I would be so sad if any of my kids or grandkids got it. I'm 61. Had psoriasis since your age, but luckily not the PsA until mid-50s. I can tell you that I agree with Sybil and Stoney--moving does help. Even gentle exercise or movement. The trouble is, exercise also makes you tired, right? That's what's so difficult about the disease! I pushed and pushed myself--nobody knew or understood how sick I felt. I was so afraid of the meds like mtx and biologics like Enbrel and Humira. Well, it got so bad I finally had to face my fear and agree to start taking Enbrel shots. Long story short--it's nearly miraculous how much better I feel!
Things you can do for pain--sometimes ice packs--sometimes the electric heating pad. My feet love ice packs and my back loves heat. Another thing I've never mentioned is when I'd hop into the shower in the morning I'd let the cold water hit me on my stiff shoulders for several seconds--it would wake up my stiff body. I'd end my shower with a cold blast, too. It felt so good. The funny thing is now that Enbrel's working I don't like that cold water anymore.
As far as work goes, I hope you are able to find something that's easier on you. I have a desk job. That was difficult enough when I felt crappy every day. Standing all the time as a hairdresser and having your arms extended would be very painful, I'm sure.
You poor thing ! Don’t feel alone, we are all in the same boat and have the same feelings - both negative and positive. Everyone who has commented is right! As hard as it is, keep moving. I have problems with my feet and ankles so when I am in the house I wear fleece lined boot slippers. Used to hate having hot feet but now they stop my feet muscles from getting too cold and stiff quickly. It’s little things like that that can help me have a little normality! Keep coming on here whenever you need a rant as there is always someone here who has been through it and can give you guidance and support x
Id like to agree with all the helpful comments already given. I’ve been on MTX since 2011 first oral tablets and then switched to subcutaneous injections when the nausea got too bad. I still get some low level nausea for a couple of days but have found a good product that helps me with that…popcorn lol, I kid you not! I have a big bag of salted popcorn on the go for 2 days and munch a handful when the nausea kicks in. But I suspect your best bet is to go back to your GP and ask for an antiemetic drug along with a referral to physical therapy of some sort as you seem to be struggling with what is the best thing to do for your body at this time. Long bed rest is not usually the best thing for us PsA peeps. It sounds to me that you’ve not had much help from the medics after your diagnosis. Most of us here have learnt to push for answers and relevant treatments that suit us. Wishing you less pain x