For the past 15 years , I have been living with psoriasis. I never really gave much thought about psoriatic arthritis until the past 2 years ago when I began to gradually start experiencing joint pain in my hands , knees, as well as my back ( although my hands are often more afflicted by the pain than any other part ).
Most of the joint pain in my hands have been located in the 2nd joint of my middle and ring fingers . Not so much in my left hand as it is in my right hand. My fingers are constantly swollen and it’s getting to the point where i suddenly drop things for seemingly no reason. My b/f gripes at me- says i’m trying to break my blackberry when in fact it literally falls out of my hand because i lose my grip without realizing. I’ve complained multiple times about the pain in my hands ( it hurts to hold a broom, to write … even to the point where i dread tying my childrens shoes.).
I don’t have health insurance and honestly i can’t afford medication – let alone going to the doctor right now. I was wondering if anyone out in this big big world has psoriatic arthritis and could tell me if my symptoms seem to be on track so I know if i really should try to see a dr or just try to cope with the pain. My b/f seems to think it’s carpal tunnel but – none of the symptoms match like i’ve seen of psoriatic arthritis. It has me very worried. I was also wondering if there happens to be a support group / community of people who live with this that i might join to speak with?

If you think its true, why?

I have a friend I’ve known for probably 35 years. She has some health issues and mainly the cause is her immune system is shot because she doesn’t take care of herself.
She had her gallbladder removed a few years ago. She now lives on a diet of lunchmeat, pizza and pop (or soda as some call it). She doesn’t take vitamins or exercise. She has problems with her skin and terrible arthritis but she’s constantly telling me her stomach is upset or she’s got an upper respiratory infection or sinus infection I’d say every other month. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say “I feel good.”
I have told her over and over that she needs to eat better and get more sleep, stop eating garbage. It goes in one ear and out the other.
And you can’t say she loves the attention from the doctor because she won’t go to the doctor for any of her problems. I have sent her supplements, herbs, vitamins, to no avail.
I’m really concerned I’m going to lose a friend because she won’t take care of herself. And by lose, I mean one day she’s gonna die because she’s let herself go. Yeah, i know we can all die at any time, but you know what I mean.
Unfortunately, it might take something like a “heart attack” scare to turn her around.
Any ideas how else I can try and help her? I’m at the point now when she tells me she’s home from work because of upset stomach, I just say “feel better soon.”
Thanks.
Well Doug, if you think a diet of lunchmeat, pizza and soda is great, you are in for a surprise as well.

My dad’s dog is 13. She has been very sick with serious digestive problems. Her medicine is very expensive and isn’t completely effective as the dog still has many episodes of bloody diarhea. The vet has tried everything and my dad has gotten a 2nd opinion with the same recommendations for treatment.

The dog also has arthritis, which is hard to treat because the medicines complicate the situation with her digestion. She limps and is in obvious pain, even whining frequently.

My dad hasn’t chosed to put her to sleep because he thinks she is still happy, wagging her tail and playing with her toys and occasionally chasing a rabbit or two (even then these playful episodes cause her pain levels to increase).

I have lupus, so I know about living with pain and I wouldn’t want someone to kill me just because I have pain that doesn’t go away.

But what about this situation? what would you do and why?
Terrier Lady- Oh my! Now I am crying how sad and sweet! I have a dear little bichon-poo and can’t even stand to think of that day.

I am strongly considering applying for disability. I have the points, but I’m not sure how to apply. My medical conditions over the past 18 years include, and are ongoing, Hodgkin’s disease, myelodysplastic syndrome, bone marrow transplant, asthma, severe pulmonary hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis. I am still under treatment and/or observation for all of these conditions. Some are getting worse.
I do a full time finance position in part time hours, not by choice. My job is extremely stress-full and I have chest pain and palpitations all day long. Sometime I feel like I might pass out, fortunately I haven’t yet. I also have day long pain from the arthritis My medical insurance is provided through my husbands job. I don’t have any benefits, but the money is decent. Should I apply? Is it true that you qualify for medicare after two years on disability. (I take huge amounts of prescription drugs for these conditions) Any info about disability, pro’s and con’s would be really appreciated. I don’t know what to do, but I feel like I won’t be able to keep working much longer without killing myself with stress. Help!
For Frank112, thanks for the answer. I guess you are too ignorant to realize several of my conditions are fatal, and maybe I wasn’t clear enough that I am struggling to keep working to support my family. Everytime I am admitted to an emergency room they tell me its a miracle I’m still working. I’ve looked over your history of answers, and I’ve come to the conclusion your a jerk. And I question whether you even have a job, seems like you have a lot of time on your hands to answer questions. Or maybe YOUR mooching company time? Sorry your such a sad human that you enjoy spending your time being cruel to so many people. Remember FRANK, what goes around comes around.

Or anyone of any weight for that matter…can weight on a horse’s back cause arthritis?

His pains do not let him get a good nights sleep nor enjoy time with the family and he could hardly work. The doctors have checked his blood for lyme disease, b-12 level, and rheumotiod arthritis. Everything has come back negative. His symptoms include tingeling sensation in the legs, his knees, shoulders, arms, hips, ankles hurt. He’s taken muscle spasm medication, pain medication, sleeping medication and nothing seems to work. Any information or suggestion would be appreciated. Thank you.

I am six months into initial treatment for rhuematoid arthritis. I finally received long term disability, but now I am being reevaluated. The issue now is not whether I am able to perform my previous job, but whether I can perform any job. The insurance provider says they will attempt to find another job with my employer. My question is what if another job is not available, will I be disqualified for continuing to receive LTD payments. Does anyone have experience in this area?
While I appreciate your experience with the disease, I’m sure you appreciate that RA affects everyone differently. That being said, allow me to reiterate I was recently diagnosed. Thus, the treatment plan I have chosen is new and my doctors have advised I will not receive full benefit right away. My ultimate goal is to complete law school and return to SOME position. I cannot however, physically comlete minimal tasks at this stage in treatment. I will one day be able to fully cope with the disease as you have, but in the mean time I need to receive adequate benefits (that I have paid into through insurance premiums) to pay for the expensive medication, i.e. Remicade infusion co-pay is approx. $789 every six weeks. This does not account for the additional 6 medications that I am currently on that cost about $145 per month. Therefore, my initial questions was not an attempt to avoid work all together, but rather a way to receive the treatment I need so I can determine my career ob

this feeling is killing me I need to do something now… I think is my treatment fault I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis and I take some strong pills I always was lil bit depressive but now I am more and I can’t handel it no more..

My Dog who is a 11 year old mutt. Every night and even in the day time he takes a deep breathe and then he does the same thing he does when my cats get hairballs. He has arthritis in his hips and he just is getting to be an old man. I dont know what it is. Please HELP!!