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psoriatic arthritis. Early stages?

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Posted 8/6/2008 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

 

Some of you might know that I'm in diagnosis limbo right now with all this joint pain, foot pain/back/neck, etc. Well, I have some new symptoms that I wanted to run past anyone who has psoriatic arthritis.

 

For the last 4 or 5 days, I've had very dry knee caps. No amount of lotion softens them up. both knee caps are red and almost have a purple color to them. Today, I noticed a small blister on one of the knees. Yeah, weird.... I also have one spot of raised, not sore or itchy, hive-like "thing" on my forehead.  It's the size of my ring finger, finger nail.  It comes and goes as it pleases, but it's there every day in the exact same spot.  I also have little raised red spots on all my toes. LIke little hives.

 

My question is does psoriatic arthritis present itself mildly at first with the skin issues, or is it wide spread all over the body kind of coverage?  I feel like every day I'm seeing and feeling new stuff and this "not knowing" is driving me to tears.  I don't even know if this is psorisis I have.  I really need to see my rheumy and she's still on vacation. 

 

Thank you for any insight,

 

Ginny

Posted 8/7/2008 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ginny I really hope you get to see your rheumy soon, it must be very frustraing. My kneecaps slways dry too, but not blister. Have you been near any kinda plant that could casue the bumps?
No new meds? I hope someone her with it can help you out. When do get to see your rheum again?

My only rashes seem to be when i get out of shower, my face very blotchy, and some wierd rash on my shoulders, the shower always worsens it(shampoo I guess), cuz its still there after shower, and it does itch. But that probably some fibro or something related, who knows. Its not my laundry detergerant.

Any hope you get to rheum soon, and hopefully she can shed some light on whats going on with all these new not wanted symptoms your having, good luck, your in my prayers....
Posted 8/8/2008 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for replying Sheryl. I appreciate your support. I guess no one here has psoriatic arthritis? I thought someone would have replied with some kind of info....Guess not.

Yes, this is frustrating. I called today to try and get in to see her as soon as she returns from vacation, but the receptionist said that all the "emergency" appointments were already taken for next week, so I'd have to wait until my appointment on the 20th. She wasn't helpful one bit.

The little blister thing is still there today, and my knees and toes are still really dry and rough. My toenails (big toes) are awful looking!All discolored and thick and gross! It's weird! I'm still having all over joint pain too, but it's not quite as bad as a few days ago.

Thanks again Sheryl, I hope you start to feel better soon too,

Ginny
Posted 8/8/2008 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hey ginny... sorry I have been MIA for a while.. I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.. I was diagnosed with psoriasis in 1998, but didn't develop PsA til 2003.. My psoriasis doesn't really look like blisters.. the skin is very red, and raised, and flaky.. and boy does it itch! As far as your nails, do you have 'piting' in them? Meaning, does it look like someone took a pin and dented your nails with it? Another sign of PsA is dactylitis, which is when your fingers and toes swell up, the take on a 'sausage' like appearance? I'm going to look for some pictures, and post the links here, so that you can see what I'm describing.. Good luck to you, and please let us know how you are doing, or if you have any questions!

Duck
Posted 8/9/2008 3:37 AM (GMT 0)

Ginny,

how are your feet doing? I'm finding the gel heel lifts are working for me during the day at work. After I pull my shoes off at home, the pain sets in and throbs. Walking barefoot on my wood floors is painful too. The most painful is walking up the 5 steps to my front door. Lifting off with the feet is so painful.

I think tendonitis is in my hands too. My left hand was so swollen and painful and I could follow the "tendon" areas with my fingers and feel the swelling.

As for the PA, I have read the articles on it, because the tendonitis was a clue for me. I want to discuss this with my rheumy on the 28th. My psoraisis is in full flare. All in my scalp, along my hairline, behind my ear and in my ears and in some skin fold area at the bottom of my stomach and thigh. I have no pitting of the nail, but I'm concerned about my toes, because they resemble the photos Ducky submitted???

I hope you hear back from your doc and please keep us posted. As for me...I'm off this weekend and I'm icing my feet and propping them up!

kaymac

Posted 8/10/2008 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys!

 

Thank you so much for the replies.  I don't have the pitting of the nails.  HOwever, my toenails are gross.  They've discolored to the point of almost looking orange! They're really thick and have deep horizontal lines in them. My fingernails aren't like that at all. 

 

My toes look like little sausages, but not like the pictures in your link Ducky.  They aren't that bad. The only place that looks like I might have psorisis or eczema is on my forehead. It's one round spot the size of my ring finger, finger nail. It's so weird!  Then I have the mildly scaley, rough, dry knee caps. 

 

I did have a very severe case of eczema about 15 years ago.  Long before my lupus diagnosis. Is eczema and psorisis related?

 

Kaymac, my feet are mildly better!  The last two days I have been able to get around almost normally, with a few "ouches" here and there.  But not as bad as last week. I'm hoping this is a trend towards being okay!  I have trouble on my hardwood and tile flooring. I have to wear my shoes inside for sure. Yes, going up stairs is really painful also. 

 

10 days till I see my rheumy.  With my luck all these symptoms will disappear before I see her, LOL.

Posted 8/10/2008 8:30 PM (GMT 0)

Ginny

I hope you're feeling better soon. My husband has psoriatic arthritis and his toes look like the pictures in the link. His nails look bad because of the toe deformities which causes the nails to grow funny. His fingers don't look as bad as his toes, but his thumbs and five of his fingers are now fused because of the disease process. His thumbs are fused straight, so it's difficult for him to hold a pen. I work at a doctor's office and we're always getting pens from drug reps, so the gals at work always give me the fat pens for him. They're a lot easier for him to hold. He has a manual job (works for a defense contractor) and has just learned different ways to work with his hands the way they are. Good luck and let us know what your doc says.

Posted 8/12/2008 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Terri,

 

I don't know what's going on with me.  Wish my appointment with my rheumy was today and not next week. I'll keep you posted,

 

Ginny

Posted 8/14/2008 9:44 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Ginny

just read your post on thick orange toes, smhair

For a friend i have briefly looked into scleroderma

There are 3 types of this, and one is to do with thickening of the skin and discolouration

mmmmmmmmm.............I wonder????????

Then maybe the red spots could point to CREST syndrome.

This is not too bad and people with this lead uninterrupted lives- tongue
C for calcium deposits,
R for raynaud phenomenon,
E for minor esophageal problems,
S for scleroderma of the fingers/toes and
Telangiectatic red spots on the skin or lips


I hope your discomfort is easing

Go see your rhemy he can help I'm sure yeah


Debbie
Posted 8/14/2008 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie,

 

Well, if I have CREST it wouldn't surprise me one bit.  I have every other AI disease out there, so why no add another one. shocked

 

Actually, the only symptom of CREST that I have is the Raynauds. I was diagnosed with that many years ago.  I have no idications of Scleroderma at all. But the toenails are funky.

 

Thank you for your ideas and kind thoughts. I'll update on Wednesday after I see my rheumy.  Should be an interesting visit.

 

Ginny

Posted 8/15/2008 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Ginny
Don't you just hate the amount of time and energy these diseases take turn

Hey, Why can't we go on a holiday from them.....and never return!!!! tongue

Today..forget those nasty problems, totally ignore them....can't you just hear them scream for attention confused

As crazy as it sounds

It's healthy to say to yourself.......I feel terrific, I am wonderfully made, I am happy

Proclaim the way you want to be .... I am a smooth mover, My skin is radiant, I have beautiful toenails

And picture yourself with these traits.

It will naturally be said in unbelief,
but then you begin to accept it and and believe it
just like advertiments, the more we see and hear them , the more we accept them.
So do little adds to yourself that are full of attractive words.nothing negative smilewinkgrin

It may sound crazy, but there is alot of research showing
"visualizing the way we want to be does turn things around"

I am sharing these ideas with you, I have had them for a long time
But a DVD i saw this week called "The Secret" put these thoughts altogether
It is amazing how much a positive attitude can make us feel so much better

And it is sooo bible also. believe and it is yours"

"give thanks before you have received it"

Paul was always positive with all his trails;
so much so that people were unaware

" cast your burdens on me" .....give them away


Dear Ginny , I want you to feel relieved and have joy!!!!!!!!! no matter the situation!!!!!!!

God bless you Ginny

Sorry, if this makes you squirm rolleyes
You may find this idea absurb
That's Ok
I wanted to give air to my latest idea
and this seemed like a good place to release it

Love Debbie

Ps, when I was 29 a natropath gave me a piece of paper with positive statements on it

I read it and thought........mmmmmmmmmmmmm

she didn't believe that I was sick !!!!!!!!!!!!
and it was all a matter of changing the way i thought................

this is not right, I need help!!! vitamins and special potents !!!!

This event sent me into a deep depression, panic attacks for 3 years


I learnt that my mind has a big effect on the diseases that i have
I have severe rhematoid, and at the first visit my rhemy said.."so you have been suffering many things for the last 10 years."................How did he know.........he knew because all his patients have,

And another thing he said "we all have similar attitudes and are very giving people who take on alot of burdens.".........

Jesus said "cast your burdens...........

Burdens are disease bringers

Some thing to ponder..............

What do you think???????

Let me know how you go with your rhemy
Thanks for listening......
Posted 8/15/2008 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie,

 

What you said didn't make me squirm at all!  I am a VERY positive person. I absolutely believe that what we put our minds to will ultimately lead us in the positive or negative direction. 

 

I have very strong faith in God, Jesus, the Trinity. I pray and give thanks every day, many times every day.  I know God is with me, right now.

 

Each of us have a challenge in life.  Lupus, and all its cousins are my challenges. I'm just having a hard time right now. I know this will bring me closer to God.  I'm hopeful. 

 

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts.  They don't go unappreciated. Thank you, ((((hugs))))

 

Ginny

Posted 8/15/2008 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
[img]/community/emoticons/roll.gif[/img] Thanks sister for your quick response!!!

love to you
God bless

Debbie [img]/community/emoticons/tongue.gif[/img]
Posted 8/15/2008 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Debbbie I too Enjoyed wha you said, and hope that zI can start thinking in a  more poitve way about myslef, my femily, my life, my future. Thanks for the reminder we all needed. blush
Posted 8/16/2008 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Sweet Sherly

Thanks for your encouragement!!

I noticed that you have 2 young boys with problems.

Have you been advised about watching their diet???

I have seen great improvement by keeping away from artificial colours and flavours, preserves and sugar

What it means is keep on a healthy diet of lean meat(not processed ham, devon) lots of vegetables and one piece of fruit and a grain, like rice each day

Drinks should be only water

What have you found ????
I love your Little verses of encouragment that you put on the end!!!!! Lovely!!!!

Have A nice day

Debbie
Posted 8/19/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)

Many years ago I had an outbreak of little blisters on the bottoms of my feet and a tiny bit on the palm of one hand.   I was told it was pustular psoriasis.   Several years later a foot doctor told me that I would one day have arthritis.   Well I have been told I have psoriatic arthritis.   I tried some medications several years ago and had allergic reactions to them all so I stopped going to the reumatologist.   My hands are so deformed now and have lots of pain in feet, hands, knees especially.   I finally saw another reumatologist and she started me on Enbrel.   Two weeks after the first injection both injection sites were swollen, raised and inflammed (the size of baseballs).   I went back to her and she changed me to Humira (had the first shot yesterday).   Have a big bruise but no pain.  Am hoping this drug helps and I have no serious side effects.

This doctor doesn't want to see me again for a year unless I have problems.  Just wondering if this is normal.   I've read all about these drugs and wonder if I shouldn't be having some kind of blood work done routinely???    Don't want to end up losing the use of my hands and legs but these drugs scare the pants off me.

Thanks

Posted 8/20/2008 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
I would feel the same way Alicat.  A year is way too long as far as I'm concerned.  I would think that every 3 months while you're getting used to the new drug is important.  Don't let your feelings go unmentioned.  Let your rheumy know you need and want to be seen more often.  Like you said, you don't want to lose your hands, feet and knees to this because you waited too long to be seen.

 

Ginny

Posted 8/20/2008 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with Ginny, Alicat...a year on a biological is way too long. Every 2-3 months you should see your doc for monitoring.

Ginny, I will be praying the doc tomorrow has some good answers for you. I have psoriatic arthritis as well, and those symptoms sound a little off. I do occasionally get these little white pus-filled pimple-looking things (like a really bad whitehead) from the PA, they hurt like heck! Rhuemy said they can easily turn staph...so always keep an eye on them.


Keep us posted.***

Posted 8/20/2008 8:04 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Alicat

Welcome!!

Thanks for sharing about your allegies to the meds.

I too had a bad site reaction to Embrel.

I had a very angry painful red blistered rash the size of a bread and butter plate, that turned into celulitus smhair

I am now on MabThera, which is an infusion once every 6 mths, or even a year.

I haven't had any problems with MabThera except shingles which weren't bad

cause i recognised them from previous experience and treated them straight away turn

All the best with the Humira, and if it don't work for you

there is the super duper one stop MabThera, which is very good------my body loves it!!!!
Posted 9/19/2008 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there !!
Even though we are talking about psoriasis and arthritis here I am still so excited about coming across these posts. I have both p and p art and I had hoped when I joined hw a year ago to find a room for both of these. No such luck but here you all are talking about something so relevant in my life. I will agree that this particular skin condition is so hard to deal with sometimes. It takes me alot of time when I am flaring to take care of my skin properly. I need to go back and read the posts again but I did want to say that I am on my second year with Enbrel and it has been wonderful.I have no side effects and I guess the long term side effects are maybe out there somewhere, but I am living now and I want to be happy now. I had it so bad that the doctors were all nearly crying when they looked at me. Thanks to my fantastic dermatologist I am soooooooo much better now. I'll check back here again to see if anyone posts again about this. God bless
Posted 9/20/2008 10:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Ginny

I too have psoriatic arthritis.   A few years before the joint pain started I had little blisters on the bottoms of my feet and a few on the palms of my hands.  My dermatologist said it was pulstular psoriasis.   Itched like crazy.  It went away after a few weeks and never came back.  Several years later my arthritis pain began with a sharp pain in my right foot.  I now have it in my feet, knees and hands (my hands are the most painful and deformed).

I have the ugly thick discolored toenails too.   Went to a couple of foot doctors who treated me for toenail fungus with Lamasil.  It did nothing.  Third foot doctor did a culture and said it was psoriasis under the nails, probably along with some fungus.  My poor feet are a mess.

I also have bunions and some kind of callous things on the bottoms of my feet.  Can't remember what not have foot pain felt like.  Just kind of learned to live with it all.

I get bouts of eczema, mostly in the Summer if I am in the sun too much.  Also looks like little blisters.   Other than that I haven't had any signs of the psoriasis again, yet.

My Dad was covered with psoriasis and my cousin, who has sarcoidosis, developed it later into her disease.  Am hoping I don't get it.  I get weird little bumps and hive looking things that come and go too, but have never been to the doctor as they come and go and don't usually bother me for long.

I started on Humira and can actually notice a big improvement in my knees and feet as far as the pain.   Will always have a problem with my hands because of the damage that's already done, but don't think I swell quite as much or that the pain is quite so severe.

I'll take what ever relief I can get.

Hope you are feeling better soon.  Have you seen a dermatologist?  It was a podiatrist who told me years ago that I would some day have a problem with arthritis in my feet.

Unfortunately, he was right and then some.

Hang in there. :-)

Donna

Posted 9/23/2008 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Ginny, My grandmother know about zrii her own doctor said to try it because he has had a lot of sucess stories from it, she said it works well and not being over medicated and going with all natural seems to be a much safer way to go these day's. I just got off the phone with her and she told me its the amalaki mixed with some really top notch botanicals and herbs to make an amazing drink, if you have not heard about it yet its because its only been out for less then a year and is comming from california to the east coast. I have been using it now for my bursitis in my shoulder and have definetly notice the differance. I hope this helps take care Lisa.
Posted 8/13/2009 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ginny,
I'm new at this too. I didn't know I had Psoriasis or arthritis. It all came on about three months ago at a stressful time and I have now been diagnosed with PSA.
I am not familiar with all the drugs the experienced people have used. I am right into the creams (diprosone, elocon, daivonex, tar for the scalp) and I am 4 weeks into methtrexate.
My main problem right now is the arthritis in my feet and the psoriasis affecting my nails. I am going to lose two finger nails and three toe nails.
Hopefully the MTX will kick in and the UV will help my skin. The people at work don't know I'm suffering (I only started there four weeks ago) so I guess I am managing to walk properly!
I'm already sick of it all after six months. I feel like a pretender among long term people. You need to get to a good doctor and tell them your concerns.
Any change is significant so don't be fobbed off. Meantime lets keep doing what we can .
I just noticed how old the comments are. Is anybody out there?
Posted 9/29/2009 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

 

Well, I finally got into 2 dermatologist and have been dx'd with both P & PA. I have horrible plaques on both feet, left over from an outbreak in August one day following  horrible cellulitis infection in my legs. I have been battling this for about 16 yrs total, was not sure what it was. I started out having blisters and cracking on one foot only until this last round of cellulitis. Then it all broke loose all over both feet and my hands. The stuff on my hands looked like hives in the beginning but they were blisters. The tops of my feet were covered in what looked like red hives. My rheumy thought I had one of the lovely skin problems that was a spin off from my crohns disease boy was he wrong. Everyone of my drs either did not know or gave incorrect opinions. I went to a dermatologist who knew immediately what was wrong. Since I am on Humira for the crohns he does not deal with patients on the biologics too scarey for him he said, lol. So, he referred me he said to the guru of psoriasis in our town who use the biologics for this problem.

 

My joint pain is a result of PA. But, I do not have sausage toes and that does not always happen either according to him. He says you do not have to have every symptom in the book, you can have a few. My problem with Humira is I do get infections so easy and I have to go off of it frequently. So, we cannot say the Humira will not help, I just need to be able to stay on it long periods of time. He says his patients has done very well with it. He has a drug called Soriatene he wants to put me on but wants to see my labs from my rheumy first. He has also given me samples of Vectical and Taclonex and they seem to be helping.

 

I also have some patches in my hairline and on one ear lobe. I had a terrible outbreak of all places but in my belly button. I got that cleared up with Clobetasol. All I know I cannot stand this nasty stuff. The reason I never got treatment early on is I was too embarrassed to show anyone my feet.

 

Hope everyone is doing well.

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