I expect I had it for years before it really surfaced. During my Nurse training (I was 35) and my feet hurt unbearably - I also couldn't wear high heels any more for more than a short time without wincing and struggling. I had a few traumatic events in my early 40s - divorce, haemorrhaging after an operation and also having a cholecystectomy, and back issues.
I'd noticed my index finger kept swelling and was painful but then disappeared after a few days. When I was 49 my right arm swelled. I was investigated for a DVT, breast cancer, lung cancer and lymphoma - nothing. Finally, I was sent to rheumatology who scanned my hands and feet and found enthesitis in my feet - by this time I could barely use my hands and as an ITU nurse this was upsetting - no one thought I'd work again.
Started treatment at 50 and finally settled on methotrexate and benepali - magic juice - and turned a corner. I then worked part time and just about coped. The NHS can be a ruthless workplace and some people expected robots - I felt that I was an inconvenience most of the time. The pandemic was awful. A ‘shielder’ was frowned upon by many as a shirker and few understood the need for me to avoid COVID patients.
At 57 I had the opportunity to change careers (never let anyone tell you this can't be done!) I am back working full time after leaving the NHS at a job with a company who truly look after their staff. It isn't as physical so I am no longer crawling up the stairs after work. I did get COVID and was quite unwell. Due to that I couldn't take my meds for weeks, and my hands feet and back became so bad I thought I'd never get better. Now back on the meds, my pain is managed and I can function. I get my hair done as I struggle with it and I still cannot carry even a single sheet of paper without pain (my PsA affects the tendons in my hands) I cannot read a book or magazine as I cannot hold either for a period of time but I listen to audio books. I am able to type without pain and do my job. I have a heated steering wheel in my car and it is a godsend. I have learned to adapt but without the meds I'd be crippled. I have received good support from rheumatology. I am lucky in that respect.
Submitted on 10th January 2023, by a 57-year-old female living in England