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Hi everyone. First time posting here. I joined another group but was

to related to ankylosing spondylitis.

Here is a history. I have had psoriasis since my late teens. It

always flared in the summer on my elbows and knees. In the winter, it

flared on my scaled. It never covered large areas and doctors never

gave me anything for treating it. Over the years the knee issues went

away and the elbows only flair occasional. The scalp has became worse

and now I have it on areas of my face, in and around my ears. I have

it in areas you would want it too. My nails started pitting. A few

years later, I started having signs of the arthritis but it was

missed. Individual finger swelling, and toes swelling. Pain in hips

and back. Most of this was missed because of another medical issue. I

was having my first flairs of ulcerative colitis.

During the past 2 years, all medical treatment revolved around the

UC. Steroids(prednisone) has been the only thing that helped. I was

given sulfasalazine type meds that did little. Finally after a high

steroid treatment, the UC went into remission.

Hello psoriatic arthritis and spondylitis. The fun began a week

after coming off steroids. The psoriasis exploded. Spotty type all

over my back, chest, and head. My fingernails look horrible. Looks

like I've smashed all my fingers. I have a bad case of sacroiliits. I

drive a truck and any bump or shake kills me. My neck sounds like

gravel when I move it. My back is getting very stiff. And I can't get

enough sleep. Everything makes me tired.

I have a new primary care doctor. Until recent, all my dealings have

been with a GI doctor. He has taken an interest in the issues and has

started some test. So far not HLA-B27 positive. No RA factors.

Everything is clear. X rays show fusing starting in the SI joints.

Hips are good and lumbar is clear. No xrays were taken higher but the

top of the lumbar xrays show fusion starting in the thoracic. An MRI

has been ordered but my insurance said no. My doctor is fighting that

right now. He wants to get a good look at the cervical spine and

thoracic.

Issues and questions. I drive an 18 wheeler for a living. Years ago

I worked in orthopedics as an orthotist. Because of the SI issues and

my work and a mild scoliosis, the doctor wants me in a back brace for

a while. A TLSO. I agree with this just not looking forward to it.

Right now, no new meds but plans are to include immune blockers soon.

I need tips for anti-inflammatory drugs. I can't take ibuprofen much

because of the risk of intestinal bleeding. I'm stretching all the

time but exercise makes things worse. My doctor said no to exercise

for now. He keeps telling me to rest. He gets mad when I say I'm

working. I drive a flat bed truck. Heat on my back feels wonderful.

But I'm out of ideas of what else to do myself. Just wonder what all

of you would do.