Psoriasis arthritis?

I suspect I have PsA. I'm a 24 year old, quite healthy, quite fit male. I first discovered I had normal skin Psoriasis when I was 15. Started in the scalp, elbows and knees. By the time I was 18 it was in my nails and a few patches on my legs aswell. I presume what i've got around my genitals and my anus is Psoriasis aswell, although i've never showed this to a doctor due to shyness. The doctor has always said it's not serious enough for any stronger treatments, so i've just been on the creams to keep it under control. They're alright but they obviously don't do as well when the winter comes. I grew up in Britain but I moved to Finland when I was 17 and this is when the Psoriasis started to flare up a bit more. Finland has quite harsh winter conditions. Summer can be as warm as 30C (86F). Winter can be as cold as -30C (-22F).

Basically last winter I started feeling stiff and sore in some places. Mainly where my pectoral muscles join with my biceps were hurting a lot and were very stiff. I first decided to go to a naprapath who basically just massaged and said it was a bit stiff but after 4 expensive sessions I noticed no difference, so I stopped going.

This autumn after having a pretty much pain free summer, playing football and being outside in the sun alot, i've now entered a very new degree of stiffness and discomfort. It started in the same place as last winter, with my pectoral/bicep region. Then the middle part of my spine became very stiff, especially in the mornings. I sit up out of bed and hear 'click, click, click'. Then comes a sound like sand is being poured down my spine. Sometimes aches occur in my hips, knees and elbows.

So I decided to go and see a specialist. He was helpful to some extent. Apart from that when i told him that most of the pain is in my pec/bicep region, he pressed once there and asked 'did that hurt?' i said 'not at this moment in time, it come and goes..' But he did find a few spots where it hurt in my lower back region. he sent me for an x-ray (ONLY on my back!?) and the result came back that I had some inflammation damage (?!) there. Blood and urine test's came back negative. So he prescribed me with MOBIC and told me to phone back after 10 days.
10 days went and MOBIC has actually helped my pectorol/bicep area which was the worst one. I'd say it's taken away about 70-80% of the painful periods i was having. But, it did not help my spine or back. Not only that but last night my left elbow swelled up a bit (little bit up from the funny bone as I call it) and became very warm and tender. This morning i woke with my right in the same state.

I spoke to the specialist in the day before the elbow pain and he's now told me to go to a physio and get treatment 4-5 times to see if that help. After that it will be magnetic x-ray.
I have mentioned Psoriasis Arthritis to him but he says it's very difficult to diagnose.
Basically i'm still a bit worried because even though i'm leaning towards PsA, i'm still hanging a bit in the air and am not sure what's wrong with me. I'm usually very healthy and only get like one proper cold per winter. Last winter i was sick with a cold about 5 times and already this autumn i've had a cold twice and pretty much constantly a sore throat and tickley cough. Can this have to do with PsA? I'm basically just looking for as much info. or help i can get. It's getting really uncomfortable now and I wondering if this elbow swelling is muscle or glads or what it is.
Bit paranoid, bit scared, bit uncomfortable because i work outside in the cold. Very grateful for any help or advice.

Thanks for your reply Sara. I also have psoriasis in my nails. Don't know how I forgot to mention it in my post, considering it is quite ofter related to PsA. I'll make sure to mention it to the rheumy aswell. I think I might have to write a little note. I'm beginning to get quite forgetful recently.

I have have had psoriasis just about all my life , childhood into adulthood and was finally diagnosed with PsA 5 1/2 years ago by a wonderful rheumatologist. It is genetic, thanks dad, God rest his soul. I had bilateral total hip replacement in 2005 due to the devestating effects of PsA. Have been on methotrexate, Remicade infusions, anti-inflamitory drugs since. Most important thing is getting a correct diagnosis early from a good rheumatologist and having aggressive treatment. I read, researched everything i could get my hands on. PsA is very difficult to diagnose because usually all tests, ANA, RH factor, SED rate as well as several others come back negative, as was my case and i was in so much pain. It also mimics RA but again all my tests were negative as both my hips were quickly being destroyed. I believe its different for everyone and in my case, I was very active and then within 10 months I went quickly downhill.
I certainly don't want to alarm you as you sound like you are trying to stay on top of it. keep reading everything there is available on psoriatic arthritis.
The very best to you, stay well.
ladyscot

Hi all, I have been sadly reading through your posts and
have been boiling inside as I see that you are all suffering and potentially
needlessly.

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Post Edited By Moderator (Shaz032) : 5/13/2011 7:45:52 AM (GMT-6)

Hi

Have got PsSA for some years now. In my case i have psoriasis beneat my elbows and a bit abowe my feets. haven´t got any changes on my nails. My reumathologist told me tha PsA´s can get swelling of the thumb so it looks like a sausage and that my pain around the breastbone ( between the breastboan and the ribbs) are typical for PsA not the other kinds of reumadiseases.

It can be pretty aggresiv so one needs to take meds.
"lucky me" I´ve got severel other autoimmune conditions so I´m on immunological meds anyway.



Wish you good luck!