"Can't connect to Playstation Network" since recent patch

Ever since the latest update I haven't been able to access the game at all past the initial loading screen. 

After about 60 seconds of waiting, it simply stops and tells me that the game cannot connect to the playstation network. 

I've tried a myriad of things, restarted my internet, playstation, changed the DNS at the behest of EA Technical Support. No success 

EA TS did ask me to open nine different ports for the game, while I don't understand why it's also something that I'm just incapable of doing it. It is not an option. 

The Support Agent said that he had been helping people with this all day, and opening ports is the "only option" that works for people? There has to be something else going on if I was capable of playing just before the most recent patch. 

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks