Teenage Jacob Talks About Psoriatic Arthritis

14-y-o Jacob talks about what it's been like living with psoriatic arthritis for the past few years

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Kids
• health
• psoriasis
• arthritis
• education
• answers

[jordzeepie]

Hey did you go to the "kids get arthritis too" conference in L.A. in July last year?

I went over from New Zealand and i swear i recognise you?

[lollybell47]

Yes, that was me! Are you coming to the one in July in Houston this year?

[dave4264]

how often is it? and where is it usually?

[lollybell47]

It's every year, and in 2010 it's being held in Philadephia Pennsylvania - probably the second week in July.

[brookers311]

im a 23 male

i've had psoriasis since i was 17 and now i have the arthritis it hurts all the time especially when i first get up in the morning

i dred planting my feet on the floor

hopefully one day it wont hurt so much

i feel like its getting worse so im kind of scared one day i wont be able to work soon

anyways thanx for sharing its nice to know im not the only one.

[lollybell47]

Brookers, I hope you're staying on top of the med treatments available. Jacob has had great success with Enbrel, and they have a patient assistance program if your insurance doesn't pay for the drug.

[Martian74]

@brookers311 I have it too but I have found a lot of relief from the nightshade diet (avoid eating nightshade flower vegitables) in conjunction with the usual drugs so now I don't notice it hardly when before I was basically bedridden.

[CrumBhosale]

I stoppped taking em after I was 21 it didn't get any better and use very mild topical steriods but now. MY back spine is killing me. Having trouble working and it hurts so bad and I have no medical coverage. I'm trying to wait until I finish college to seek treatment as it should be easier without having to pay tuition. I physically can't do much right now and I used to jog, play ball, bike and hike and now I sit in bed and take advil if i need to go to the store, or class.

[CrumBhosale]

@lollybell47 what drug are you taking metho/ enbrel... I've had psoriasis for for 12 years now.. I'm 23 years old and yes I went through the same things in school through all grades I can remember. It was on my sclap, face, and arms and legs. Never took any orals until I was 18 they helped and reduced the area to just my legs, however

[143CRS]

you should message me! if a 14 year old girl and i have these problems :/ i got rheumatoid arthritis when i was 9 and now i have psoriatic arthritis and im 14. no one understands me! if you are around my age and have arthritis like mine too, please message me. id love to talk about it.

[jakepatrickfinnigan]

I could deal with having it in my ankles and knees, but I'm worried it's in my wrist as I play guitar, piano and drums. And it stops me from playing for a period of at least 4 days a month. Which is very unfortunate. But, with all the medical advances being made, I'm hoping they can find a cure.

Hope all is well :)

Jake :)

[jakepatrickfinnigan]

Hey man, I know your pain. I've had Psoriatic Arthritis since I was about 12. I'm from Australia and it's a horrible thing to deal with. i was a Goalkeeper in a Soccer team and I had to stop playing at 15 as I was unable to even walk anymore. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 15 (after I stopped playing soccer). I hate it with a passion. It started out in my Ankles and Sub Tailor joints in my feet, and has now progressed to my Knees and my left wrist.

[buckleybabe2005]

I feel your frustratoin jacob i have had psoriasis since i was 6 and the psoriatic arthritis since i was 25 but at least i managed to have a whole lot of activity before the illness. If you keep your chin up more people understand than you think. I am now 32 and still having flare ups but as i say people should accept you for you not your disease and if they don't then they are obviously not worth the worry. Just remember there are loads of us here for you

[pidner]

@genevarena Ive had it real bad for over 20yrs.now,I feel for you cause I know what youre going through,my skin has gotton way better than it was though my joints that have become involved are really bad,the linning around my lungs,my spine, neck and hips,what can I say,It sucks.

I wish you the best.

[mjeffcoat]

God bless you Jacob. I am 51 and was diagnosed with psoriasis and the accompanying arthritis when I was 35. It has been a constant battle, but we finally found something that works very well to keep it cleared up. Enbril is a miracle drug in my opinion. After 13 years of trying one thing then another we finally moved to UV B light treatment but all that got me was stage 3 malignant melanoma and major surgery to rid myself of the cancer. Luckily that was 6 years ago and I am cancer free.