Recently diagnosed after five years.

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone, this is

from Queensland, Australia

I haven't written anything for a while, but I always read your letters. I just

thought I'd let you know how my PA is, I've had PA for 5 years now, and after

many blood tests, X rays etc, I was starting to believe the Dr's that there was

nothing wrong with me, just old injuries playing up. I'd read that there

were many different types of Arthritis, and realising that I must have some

form of Arthritis (swollen joints and pain), I started searching through the

local Library and the internet for references to Arthritis and came across PA

and your group, and Bingo! The symptoms were exactly the same as mine. So first

i needed a

referral from my Dr to a Rheumatologist to confirm it, so I suggested to my Dr

that I had Pa, he

referred me to the Rheumatologist, I had to wait two months, to see her (I

don't have private health insurance). The Rheumatologist confirmed that I had

Psoriatic Arthritis (the Spondylitis version) and said I should go on

Methotrexate, and folic Acid, I'm already on Celebrex, 200mg which I find

really helps,

I also take some tablets which contain Glucosamine Sulphate, Celery seed, Grape

seed, Ginger and Fish oil (with Omega 3 fatty acid) and use a soap for my skin,

with the brand name Dove which is available here in Australia, which contains a

moisturising oil, which i use on my hair as well, and sometimes coal tar soap.

The soap seems to keep the skin condition under control, and saves a fortune in

shampoo and conditioner.

While at the Dr's i enquired about getting on a disability pension as I'm on

unemployment benefits right now, and have to keep applying for jobs that I

can't do, to keep receiving the benefit, and he's given me a medical certificate

stating that I'm unable to work, which I now have to hand in with my dole form

next Friday, apparently I now go on sickness benefit, and then after 3 months am

assessed by the social security Dr to see if I'm eligible for a disability

pension.

After my first visit to the Rheumatologist She referred me to a Physiotherapist,

who showed me some exercises I should do to help develop some of the muscles

around the joints, and advised me to go swimming and possibly Tai-chi, which she

highly recommended, exercises that won't put any weight on the joints. So

tomorrow I'm

off to the swimming pool and the local Bhuddist temple to see about the Tai-chi

which I hear is free there and run by a retired Chinese Kung-fu master.

Today I saw the Rheumatologist who has put me on Methotrexate 10mg once a week

and Folic Acid every day, and a blood test every month for three months see how

it goes.

Now I know exactly what's wrong with me i can try and do something about it. I

suppose diet is something I should look at as well.

I hope i haven't raved on too long

bye for now