age 24 with debilitating joint pain

Hey everyone! I am a female, 24 yr old former ballet dancer with the worst joints in the world. I have had to have 10 surgeries on 6 different joints since I was 16 to repair the damage in my joints primarily in my feet and hips. Yet after all of this, I am still in so much pain and all of the doctors I have seen cant find anything wrong with me and are not believing me when I say I am in pain. I have the skin condition called psoriasis and have a gut feeling after doing ALOT of research that I suffer from a form of psoratic arthritis, but.... ALL blood tests for ALL different types of joint pain including PA and destruction causing diseases and disorders have come back NEGATIVE! I cant live like this anymore! Most of my pain now is in my feet, and not just the joints but the ligaments and tendons as well. Intense stiffness and sharp pain when I move and stand.

I cant work nor get on disability cause I dont have a diagnosis. I cant get around the house very well either. I have a debate in my head everytime I have to pee if I can wait any longer to go so I dont have to move or get up and experience the horror that awaits me. The only thing that has taken my pain away is corticosteroids. Nothing else works, not even the most powerful narcotic. Besides I refuse to take anymore pills cause I may now have an ulcer in my stomach or intestine. I am a healthy weight for my height and structure so I know thats not the issue.

Anyone who has similar symptoms or issues like me PLEASE let me know what you have done to relieve your symptoms and or diagnosis. Thank you so much for your reply.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed evaluation it would be difficult to comment on the symptoms and the possible diagnosis. There are no definite blood tests to diagnose psoriatic arthritis and diagnosis is largely based on symptoms, radiographs and occasionally blood tests to support the diagnosis. Management is largely by anti-inflammatory medications and  disease modifying agents. I am not sure if you have already been evaluated by a rheumatologist; if not, I would suggest seeing one for coming to a conclusive diagnosis and appropriate management.
Hope this helps.

Take care!