Living with Psoriatic Arthritis
in Health ·
I’m barely 19, and I’ve been dealing with psoriasis since I was 12. Every dermatologist I see gives me the same script: it’s a nervous system disorder manifesting on the skin, so I should just use expensive creams, take vitamins, and boost my immune system. None of that works. Only Sinoderm ointment actually does anything; a few days of application and the patches visibly clear up. This January, my left thumb started hurting—swollen and constant pain. I assumed I just bumped it and waited, but after a month of nothing changing, a doctor told me it wasn't serious. He suggested topical rheum gel and some thumb exercises. Nothing helped. It only got worse. X-rays supposedly showed my bones aren't aligned correctly. Now, my elbow and the base of my middle finger on the left hand are aching and swollen too. Then my right toe started swelling and hurting. I’m starting to suspect psoriatic arthritis. Honestly, I’m terrified because I don't know what this disease actually does, and I have all the symptoms. How is it treated? Is there any actual cure, and what are the long-term consequences? Thanks.