I confess

[Guest guest]

(head hung in shame) My dx is not RA anymore- it is PA- psoriatic arthritis. I

say RA to people like the kids teachers when they meet me at the door of the

classroom and it takes me so long to walk across the room- or when someone at

the store says Hey Lady- you cannot park in handicapped (Yes, I have a placard-

but- people still yell- even when I am hobbling to grab the nearest cart to walk

with)

My doc said the biggest difference is PA is not symmetrical, my left and right

sides flare independant...and also each finger and toe flares independant- and

each joint of each finger and toe. I think he said PA is generally NOT as

destructive, but then he checked my XRays and - bit his tongue. Quite a few

toes have dissolved bones- both wrists, many fingers- (thats as far as he

checked with Xrays) and----- then I also have lots of calcium deposits- base of

both thumbs, wrists heels, ankles, shoulders.. (I know the shoulders from

previously when I had a workers comp shoulder injury)

I think really this is about the entire sum of everything he has told me about

my illness. Kinda told me learn as I go, play it by ear, look online.. etc.