Saw my family doc because of my falls. (Had already joined a balance class.) A blood test showed a higher Ana level, so he sent me to a Rheumatologist. That doc said the level was still too low for an autoimmune disease, took another test just to make sure, that was negative also. But his nurse practitioner – out of the blue – asked me if I had a rash somewhere.
Well, I had a minor one on my butt cheek that I hadn’t even mentioned to my family doc.
Low and behold, I was diagnosed with Psoriasis!
She prescribed a steroid lotion and Leflunomide.
And I started my research!!
No one had asked me about my pains, they were temporary, fairly minor, always in different parts of my body. I thought they were normal old age related pains – am 84!
Now I have a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis, PsA.
No idea of what my future will be like. Have had very severe pains since then, but thankfully they too went away.
Today is a good day. And that disease seems to be manageable, so I was told.
Hang in there, I feel for you. For me too, but at least I don’t feel like a hypochondriac anymore.
God bless us all.