"I feel very much in capable, caring hands"

I was diagnosed with PsA in December. My consultant, Dr. Wright and his registrar Dr. Anderson were very tentative, they listened to my concerns and fully assessed my symptoms, one of the great things about this diagnostic appointment was the ability for Dr. Wright to carry out ultrasounds of my joints then and there and explain what the presence of enthesitis meant.

As I tried to get my head around a diagnosis of a lifelong condition, I worried about my care and starting treatment in the middle of a pandemic. However, all my fears have been allayed. Despite the impact of Covid, redeployments, virtual appointments etc. The rheumy team have been absolutely fantastic, the Rheumatology Helpline is such a lifeline and I’ve been completely supported over the last few months.

I had a face to face appointment with my Rheumatology Specialist Nurse today, Anne, who is just fabulous and has offered me so much support since diagnosis. She is so knowledgeable about the disease, and listens with a caring, empathetic ear and offers sound, evidence based, constructive and reassuring advice in terms of what to do, what to expect and what the next plan of action is. She was supported today by staff nurse Una who really helped me feel at ease and supported. Even the ward clerk, as I awaited my appointment, was so friendly and welcoming.

The shared care between my GP and the team has been very clear and executed without issue. I know that there is no magic wand that can be waved to send my PsA into remission and at the minute I’m so so sore, tired and fed up from it, but I don’t feel alone. I feel very much in capable, caring hands with a great consultant and specialist nurse and their team and I trust the careplan they have agreed with me as we try various medications to get the disease under control. I just wanted to take a moment to thank and acknowledge all the wonderful work they do.