Knee Update

I had an early Dr. Appointment Monday with a Rheumatologist – a Dr. Culver.

I was very impressed by him - for the first time in a long time I felt that someone might actually be able to help me and his manner was very assuring and calming.

He drained my knee of 12oz's of fluid, gave me a cortisone injection and ordered numerous labs and I had a lot of blood drawn. His initial inspection of the fluid showed no crystals that would be apparent if indeed this was gout. He is leaning towards a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis of type Spondylitis.

He changed my medication and assured me we would know more next Monday. I am anxiously awaiting the results – but for the last 2 days I have actually been able to sleep and walk again.

I am much relieved with the thought that at least I will be ambulatory on out trip and still might undertake more rigorous activities like surfing, swimming, etc.

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