Hi, my name is Samantha

Sammy69

I have psoriatic arthritis and am currently taking methotrexate, but it does not seem to be effective and leaves me completely exhausted. Eighteen months ago, I was hill walking and trampolining; now, I feel like an elderly woman. My mother, who is 79, is in better health than I am. At the moment, I am feeling very sorry for myself because I am struggling to walk; my knees are inflamed and hot, and I cannot get a face-to-face appointment with the rheumatologist until 17 August. I am under review at work due to taking time off, and my marriage is suffering. I feel as though I am on my own. I have gone from being a 56-year-old who was fairly fit and active, attending festivals and regularly walking 25,000 steps on a Saturday and Sunday, to someone who struggles to walk to the corner shop.

yellowpineapple84

Hi Samantha, welcome to the community :) Thank-you for sharing, I’m sorry to read what you’re currently going through and want to send enormous warmth to you as it sounds really challenging for you right now. I wish too that you could have a much earlier appointment as 17th August is quite a wait :( Whilst waiting for this appointment is there anyone else who is supporting you and helping you? When I’ve had to wait for appointments too my GP doctor has been really kind and supportive with me, she has been supporting me for over 4 years which I’m really grateful for as waiting for specialist appointments can be hard and make me feel really sad. Really don’t want you to feel on your own and hope that you can find this online community a warm and supporting place, you are very welcome here :) I’m sorry that you are feeling alone as you deserve kindness and support and I really hope you can receive that. Kind of lost friendships and relationships too with my own struggles and I lost my job too, it can really really hurt

SheffieldMan1976

Oh Sam love, my heart breaks for you 😫

I wish I could help.

Sammy69

Thank you. Sorry you lost your job that's my biggest fear as we have a large mortgage, It is so much pressure on top of everything else. Its like one day everything is ticking along and the next its all gone to pot.

Mary_Scope

Hi @Sammy69 and a warm welcome to the community from me!

I'm sorry to hear you're in so much pain at the moment, it sounds like you're spinning lots of plate and it's a really stressful time.

Have you spoke to your GP about a medication review? How are you feeling about the upcoming rheumatologist appointment? I really hope they will be able to find the right course of treatment and support for you.

Sammy69

Hi Mary,

GP isn't interested, as I am under Rheumatologist. My care hasn't been passed to him yet. I will see what Rheumatologist says in August 🤞

Sammy69

Thank you Santosha 12, I will give the nurse a call and see what she suggests.