Arthritis sufferers?

Hi Lisa! I just got a Dx of PsA this month after struggling for about 4 years with pain that would come and go and not knowing what's going on. This past year has been the worst which is what got me back into a doctor office fighting for answers. Several appts and med combos later I think we are finally onto something hopefully. We can still do this!

I have problems with my knees and left ankle because of autoimmune arthritis (Reiter's or Reactive arthritis). It popped up in June 2005 and was mostly gone by mid-late 2006. I never took an immune modulator or biologic, just time and dest. I would have flare ups a few times a year, for a week or two, usually around the changing of the season. I would get tired and my knees would get a little swollen and stiff. My ankle would hurt. This went on for years and I was basically in remission, but with some permanent joint damage that didn't really affect things, but was definitely there. Lately(last 4-5 months) I have been having a lot of problems with stiffness or loss of range of motion in my knees, and substantial pain in my ankle and foot. I don't know if it is immune related, or if the joint disfunction from the past is turning into degeneration/osteoarthritis. I really need to see a rheumatologist or orthopedist. I lift weights very intensely, and it seems like there is no pattern to what my knees and ankle will do, but they are getting worse overall and usually have some low level of swelling and pain. For months, I've been wrapping my ankle(underwrap and athletic tape) when I work legs. I've used sleeves and elastic/cotton wraps on my knees since I started working legs again after the initial attack of arthritis subsided. I used them preventatively in the past, but now, even on a relatively good day, I need the compression and stability or I can't lift heavy and have a very limited range of motion. For cardio, I sometimes walk, or ride an exercise bike. Lately I can't do either without discomfort and joint problems. I like to do boxing training for cardio, but that is hit or miss too. Sometimes I can wrap my ankle and knees and do ok, sometimes there's no way. Feel free to ask me anything. I doubt I can offer much help though.

I get random pain, mostly in my hip or hips, back, wrist, knee, ankle or should I say foot because it's in a weird location. I actual ended up quitting my last job because I couldn't stand for 8 hours the pain got too bad. I pretty much have ached my whole life. Now I'm 45, found out my vitamin D levels were very low. I take that daily. My legs don't ache as much but overall I still have various pain. My exercise level is low, I'm always tired or low nervy. I look fine so I tend to think people view me as lazy or just don't want to work. I'm fairly active with house cleaning and job hunting but I'm always worrying about if I will be able to keep my next job or if I will be completely miserable. I have been a self employed hairstylist for many years and have been trying to get out of it. It has not been easy because I really cannot work full time but the part-time jobs make no money either. It is frustrating when you look healthy but feel like crap. I've had crappy intern doctors too and by the time I get to my appointment, (can take months) the pain is usually gone. My Gyno actually pointed out my D level because the so called Doctor I ended up with is incompetent. Rambling...:)

What happened to this thread? Did I kill it? Despite my health problems, I still destroy myself in the gym, including legs, which takes a heavy toll, to try and look the best I can. It's one of the few things I feel like I truly have control over, so I give lifting everything I have, even if it may not always be much.

I have osteoarthritis in my back, knees, and left foot and ankle pain meds dont work but i am seeing a pain management doctor and they have started giving me shots in my back if the last of 3 works it can last up to 18 months and i get cortisone shots in my knees but they may try a different kind that is better in the veterans affair will aprove it and my foot and ankle has had 4 surgeries and another one coming in june. So i understand pain. I will send you a friends request.

@Soccerdawg71

Enjoyed blog. Not that my family hassle me but I have commented recently that I feel like a (female) mutant in my family as I come from a long line of women who have never relied on drugs! Not because they're anti-drugs and pro alternatives but because they're Amazonian in health. I drew the short straw. Mind you I haven't had a flare this long term in 20 years, currently on a DMARD and noticing some improvement. The NSAID I was on for something else seemed to trigger it. Severely ticked that it has interfered with my life to put it nicely.

Also candida in the gut can cause/ aggravate flare ups- perhaps a candida diet for a few weeks may help?