Verywell Health
LB Herbert lives in Texas and shares her experience with psoriatic arthritis nationally.
My pain began in 2009.
It started in my back but eventually reached my shoulders, hips, and back.
Verywell Health
I tried physical therapy and applying ice and heat, but that provided little to no relief.
Finally, I had an X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that confirmed I havearthritis.
Unfortunately, this diagnosis was only part of the puzzle.
It would be years of treatment trial and error before I received my psoriatic arthritis diagnosis.
Read on to learn about my journey in receiving a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis and medication that works for me.
I saw:
I started carrying a thick binder to appointments with notes and tests from previous doctors.
I had to advocate for myself.
Im an educated patient.
I have a doctorate and two children who have navigated serious health conditions, including cancer.
Instead, I learned to ask them guided questions.
My questions would spark them to consider other conditionsincluding those I thought might be at play.
I faced some very difficult appointments.
One doctor suggested that my pain was all in my head and put me on an antidepressant.
I was frustrated and desperate, so I tried taking the antidepressant.
It didnt do anything for my pain.
I went to an ophthalmologist, who suggested I try a biologic.
Soon after that I startedHumira, and the medication changed my life.
I noticed the results almost immediately.
I wasnt as stiff in the morning.
I regained my range of motion and did karate with little pain.
Unfortunately, I eventually had to go off the Humira because I was having recurrent thrush infections.
I felt better most of the time while on Humira, but I got sick more often.
Paying Attention to Ignored Symptoms
During a 2016 appointment, my primary care doctor noticed skin issues.
And yet, theyd be the key to finding a treatment that worked.
So far, its been great.
I teach karate, keep up with work and home life, and enjoy traveling with my family.
The most important is movement.
I attempt to run two miles every day.
I get enough sleep and take a stab at manage stress.
Paving the Path for a Life With a Chronic Illness
I know this disease is progressive.
I take medication to slow it down, but I cant stop it entirely.
Most recently, Ive noticed pain in my hands.
I see a pain psychologist who has rheumatic arthritis.
Shes helped me accept and process living with this chronic disease.
As told to byKelly Burch
