HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Psoriatic Arthritis anyone?

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/8/2009 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I have been trying to solve my health mystery for about 6 months. Quick background- I was having a lot of trouble with joint pain, general feeling crappy, terrible pain in my feet and elbows, as well as some finger joints, have had Raynauds for a long time, have a strong family history of RA. PCP did an ANA test, came back very high positive, so she sent me to a rheumatologist. He said my lupus tests came back negative and has sent me to a podiatrist to make sure some back problems I have aren't causing my gait while walking to be the cause of my foot problems. I haven't made that appt. yet due to health issues with my kids.

Anyway, I am still having the joint pain, stiffness in the morning, the generally feeling lousy, etc. I think I have now developed psoriasis. I believe I have 2 patches on my neck by my lower hairline. A person on the lupus board told me about PA, and I wondered if anyone here had that. I am going to my dermatologist in September for a skin check (melanoma survivor), so I will have her check the suspected psoriasis then. If anyone here has this issue, can you you tell me a little more about it? I am going to do the things my rheumy wants as soon as I get the kid stuff resolved. I did not have the skin issue when I saw him, so this is new.

Thanks for any info.
Posted 8/10/2009 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alli. I have sero negative arthritis, also ANA positive but not lupus, Now because my symptoms have moved into my heals my rheumy is wondering if I have PA. I'm surprised your rheumy didn't treat you as if you have RA anyway. This is how my rheumy is treating me. Are your symptoms symmetrical? Have you been on antiinflammatorys for 3 months with no improvement? Your description of tiredness and stiffness in the morning is classic RA. I'd keep going with the specialists until you find an answer. If it is PA you need to be treated earlier rather than later to stop permanent damage happening to your joints. Best of luck, golitho
Posted 8/10/2009 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hey alli


Hope this tid bit of info is helpful? I knew a lady who had bad RA and really, really bad psorisis. after years of different treatments she got onto Enbrel (TNF Blocker) and worked reallt well for her RA, and it really helped clear her skin up!

Shanno
Posted 8/11/2009 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I think your best bet is to look up PA online and read up on the symptoms and issues on a reputable site and see how they compare to what you are dealing with.

I have PA and am not sure what to tell you. I don't respond to too many medications. I am getting results from Plaquenil. I did get results from Arava and Remicade, but both left my liver in bad shape and I eventually had reactions to it. My brother in law told me that it's starting to be found that people with allergies are the ones who react to these biologicals like Remicade.

I can tell you the issues I had in the beginning are similar to yours....very fatigued, a general unwell, hurting just everywhere, though my feet were immobilizing for a few years. I also had Raynaud's syndrome occurring. Since then, I got specially made orthodics for my shoes, I only wear a certain sneaker - always!, I have patches of psoriasis, it got really bad one year before I went on Remicade and (knock on wood) has not gotten that bad again since, even though I've been off it for some time now. The plaquenil does give me relief (thank God) and I have noticed certain foods that instigate flares that I try to avoid. Good sleep, keeping the stress lower, drinking water, walking/stretching, all help as well.

I hope that your kid's health issues are not serious.
Posted 8/19/2009 6:13 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Alli

I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis several years ago.  Before the joint problems started I had what they call pustular psoriasis on the bottoms of my feet and some on the palms of my hands.  Not fun at all.  But it went away and so far haven't had any more psoriasis although I get eczema off and on.

A year ago after many years of suffering and some joint damage I just couldn't take the pain anymore.    First I was put on Enbrel but had a reaction at the injection site so they switched me to Humira.   Recently had to increase to an injection every week rather than biweekly.   It's worked really well for me.  Some days I almost forget I have arthritis.

My Dad had very bad psoriasis and so did my Uncle.   I ended up with the PA and my cousin has AS.   Guess it's all in the genes.

Good luck,

Alicat

Posted 9/1/2009 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
pustular psoriasis is SO painful! I had a breakout after having my son and - OW!
Posted 9/1/2009 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Lucky for me I haven't had another outbreak of the pustular psoriasis.

All I remember is the bottoms of my feet itched so bad I could hardly stand it.   It's weird how these things pop up from nowhere.    Got rid of that but then ended up with the psoriatic arthritis, which is no picnic either.  But thank God the Humira is helping me with that a lot.

Alicat

Posted 12/24/2009 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
I have just joined and was looking up some info on Psoriatic Arthrytis...I've had it for years but never talked to anyone with it. Don't take meds...will just have to endure it. Has been in family. Most problem is with acheles tendonidis...really touchy feet and sore left heel from injury 7 years ago. I had it dxed and followed all recovery advice but I still get sore left foot and I walk a lot. I was told that joints in the extremities were more problematic and I have had carpal tunnel surgery in both wrists in my 30's...that's consistant. I was also told that folks with Psoriatic Arthrytis usually have strong backs and I find that true. I'm a 66 yr old lady who can hoist 50 pounds easy...so I won't complain....just comment.

BUT...real reason I wrote here is that Alicat mentioned severe itching on foot bottoms. I have had sudden severe foot itches for about 8 years. Sometimes skin stimulant works...like Tiger balm or bengay but when it really drives me nuts...and scratching has no effect...I use heat. The best was hot concrete sidewalk in summer on the area of the foot...it always varies and has no rash ...it feels deeper than skin, actually. I also use a washrag with boiling water and touch the area to it. The relief is wonderful. Usually in about 15 min it's fine and it's almost always when I need to drink more water and forget.

Thanks for letting me talk about something I really can't mention to medical persons. Glad I'm not alone.
Posted 1/5/2010 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
I've had Psoriatic Arthritis since I was 16.
I had skin lesions all over my body.
Pretty much I looked like The Thing, from Marvel Comics.

I kept my dermatologist up to date with whatever was happening with my rheumatologist, but the treatments were separate.
My pain issues are still being worked on, but as far as the Psoriasis goes.....I'm pretty happy with my dermatologists treatment.

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I apply a topical creme named DOVONEX, all over the Psoriatic areas.
Every Tuesday and Thursday I go for UVB Light Therapy.
I have been doing this therapy every other year since I was 16, and I am Psoriasis Free.

My experience has been to keep the treatments separate, but see all doctors at the same time if possible.
All of my specialists are associated with a certain hospital, so I see all of them in the same place within the same hour.
Posted 1/6/2010 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Penelope, I have a shared care plan so that all my specialists talk to each other and keep each other informed of changing meds or new health issues. That way they all know what meds I'm on and what to prescribe that doesn't interfere with another treatment.

Why do you feel like you need to keep them seperate?

Good to hear your psoriasis is under control! My friend has it badly and also uses UVB light therapy, swears by it, for all the damage the sun can do to our skin its good to know it can heal too.

I hope the humira kicks in for you eventually, golitho
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply