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Posted 5/9/2007 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I really think that I have psoriatic arthritis.  I am 22  years old and  have had psoarisis since i was about 15 or 16.  Latley I have been having a lot of pain and soreness in my feet, hands, ankles, and back.  My hands and feet are very blotchy with red dots underneath the skin and they are sore all of the time.  Whenever I lift things my hands become very red afterwards.  My feet feel the same way.  I cant even run anymore because its too painful.  I asked my aunt who is a doctor about it and she says it looks like psoraitic arthritis.  This really freaked me out.  I have a dermatologist appointment in about a week and assume I will probably have to go to a rheumatologist to get a confirmation.  This makes me very nervous though.  Im only 22 years old, I'm 6'1 and weigh about 165 lbs.  I am not even close to being overweight so I dont understand how I could get arthritis at such a young age.  Can anyone tell me if I will ever be able to participate in sports and physical activity again if in fact I do have this disease.  How effective are treatments for PA?  Do symptoms flare up at times while remain in remission for periods of time or will this be a constant thing I will always have with me.  Its just very depressing because I have always been healthy and active and for the past 5 months I cant even stand up without being in a lot of pain.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

Posted 5/9/2007 4:36 AM (GMT 0)

Hello Karma
Quite often the psoriatic lesions are seen years before the aches & pains of PsA are felt.  You don't have to be overweight to get arthritis...it's an equal opportunity disease. Strikes people of any age, any sex, any race and any size or shape.

Try this link to find out more about PsA

http://www.humira.com/PsoriaticArthritis/aboutPsA/Default.aspx

My son was diagnosed at age 8 with JRA. On meds for 4 years. Remission until about 19, really bad by 25 and last year at 28 diagnosed with PsA as well. Had THR in July of last year. Has bad knees, remaining hip and elbows too. The psoriasis got way out of hand (back, chest, knees & lower legs had lesions) and it wasn't until a few months ago that it started clearing up. Still having problem with psoriatic nails. He's on a cocktail of daily meds which include prednisone, folic acid & cyclosporine. Weekends he adds methotrexate to the mix and every four weeks he's topped up intravenously with REMICADE. The psoriasis is also treated with OLUX which seems to have been the best topical he tried. The steriod creams didn't seem to do much.

He was having major problems with his feet swelling but this seems to have improved immensely since February...his shoes fit again. He no longer uses a cane. Works 10 hr days (TV). His worst enemy is STRESS but not much he can do about that...it comes with the job.

I suggest making that rheumatology appointment as soon as possible and get a diagnosis so if it is PsA you can start treatment before you get worse.

Good luck. Let us know what happens.
-Jem

Posted 5/9/2007 8:13 AM (GMT 0)

I am 24 years old, was diagnosed with PA 2 months ago, I have exhausted all efforts, Humara, Enbrel, topical steriods, and now going to try Remicad Thursday. I've had this since Christmas, daignosed with RA about a year ago, but I have the blisters all over my hands and feet, big red nasty blisters, don't pop them whatever you do, I have it in my scalp, lost about a fourth of it through some of the treatment, being female, this is very hard for me, and its in every crease I can think of. I can barely walk do to the blisters and RA and PA. Pray for me, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Posted 5/9/2007 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
So basically there is no effective therapy for PA?

I edited your post due to Rule #1..

1. No discussion of any illegal activity or threats of violence. (ie. illicit drug use, including medical marijuana use, threats of suicide or self-injury, or threatened or intended physical harm).  Discussions of suicide or self-harm that are deemed negative and therefore potentially injurious to others are also not permitted.

Post Edited By Moderator (Ducky) : 5/9/2007 5:29:27 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/10/2007 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Karma,

Of course there is effective treatment...you just have to find the one that works for you thru trial & error, no two people are alike in what works for them. It doesn't just happen overnight. My son's symptoms have improved greatly.

I don't know what you said in your post that was edited by Ducky but I'm thinking that you're scared & angry about this. You might benefit from seeking psychological help as well as seeing a rheumalologist as soon as possible if in fact you actually have PsA. You definitely need the support of your family and friends.

-Jem
Posted 5/11/2007 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
I had my first Remicade treatment today. My back was so bad, it felt like a huge cramp. My doctor said people have told him they have felt better the day of or the day after their first infusion, but he said its supposed to take long to feel the difference. I feel the difference already in my back, this is a life saver. I was kind of tired, so I took a nap when I got home. My Rheumy said I'll have to be back in 2 weeks for my next infusion and should see a difference with the blisters on my hands, feet, scalp, creases. Besides the blisters, my back feels as good as new.
Posted 5/12/2007 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
ILS,

Great to hear your infusion went well. Let's hope REMICADE is the magic bullet for you.
Have a great weekend!

-Jem
Posted 5/14/2007 10:02 AM (GMT 0)

iloveschnuazers said...

I am 24 years old, was diagnosed with PA 2 months ago, I have exhausted all efforts, Humara, Enbrel, topical steriods, and now going to try Remicad Thursday. I've had this since Christmas, daignosed with RA about a year ago, but I have the blisters all over my hands and feet, big red nasty blisters, don't pop them whatever you do, I have it in my scalp, lost about a fourth of it through some of the treatment, being female, this is very hard for me, and its in every crease I can think of. I can barely walk do to the blisters and RA and PA. Pray for me, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Hey iloveschnuazers,

PS is usually a diagnosis which is masured for a long time.

It's a chronic disease.

Have you had psoriasis before in yr life?

Palmo-plantar postular psoriasis (PPP) or otherwise said : keratoderma on the palms and soles is a diagnostic characteristic of reiter's syndrome (type of reactive arthritis).

Do you have positive RF, do you have sinovitis? Those are the main diagnostic characterisitcs of RA.

How long have you been having the ulcerative colitis?


Posted 5/15/2007 3:35 AM (GMT 0)

I just started to present with symptoms about 6 months ago, the painful blisters on my hands, feet, scalp, armpits, and all other creases on my body. I was diagnosed with athritis about a year and a half ago. My Rhematolagist said it was similar to RA because it attacts the joints but focuses on by spine, neck and hips. Then the symptoms of PA came about around Christmas. My doctor hasn't said anything about the PPP or sinovitis. And all the bloodwork came back negative. You think I should ask him about those?

I was diagnosed with UC 2000.

Posted 5/18/2007 2:23 PM (GMT 0)

iloveschnuazers said...

I just started to present with symptoms about 6 months ago, the painful blisters on my hands, feet, scalp, armpits, and all other creases on my body. I was diagnosed with athritis about a year and a half ago. My Rhematolagist said it was similar to RA because it attacts the joints but focuses on by spine, neck and hips. Then the symptoms of PA came about around Christmas. My doctor hasn't said anything about the PPP or sinovitis. And all the bloodwork came back negative. You think I should ask him about those?

I was diagnosed with UC 2000.

Well...

I'm not sure about.

Yr case only by listening sounds rather complex.

You PROBABLY have classic form of postular psoriasis said based only on listening yr explaination. Those form i mentioned above (reiter's syndrome) is only on the palms and soles as I know of. Also males suffers mostly. DYa have psoriasis in yr family? Are you HLA-B27 positive?

Don't take me serious, i'm not sure. I'm not a doctor.

Posted 5/18/2007 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Karma how are you? Have you seen your dermatologist or rheumy yet? I have Psoriatic Arthritis, and on Enbrel for it.. Let us know how you are doing..
Posted 5/20/2007 12:07 AM (GMT 0)

My older brother has the classic psoriasis, on his shins and elbows, his is nothing like mine, and I am HLA-B27 negative. I even asked him to check me for Lupus and it was negative.

My Remi treatment was great for about a week but now my blisters are coming back and my back is hurting, but its nothing like it was before the treatment. I go back Thursday for my next infusion, I'll see what I'm supposed to expect, like it it will keep going on like this, or go away in half-lives, or whatever.  Thank you all, so much for your support.

Posted 5/21/2007 3:59 AM (GMT 0)

Hi guys

I had my dermatologist appt and she is sending me to have some bloodwork done.  I described to her how I was feeling with the aches and pains all over my body and on my hands and feet and what not.  She said that she has never heard of someone with such mild psoriasis have such severe psoraitic arthritis so she thinks it might be soemthing else.  I only have a small patch of psoarisis on each elbow and a little bit on my scalp.  Does this sound accurate to you guys that me having such mild psoraisis would not lead to bad psoariatic arthritis?  Also the past few days I have been developing cracked skin at the end of my fingertips.  Would this be related to psoriatic arthritis? 

Finally, is psoraisis usually present on the skin where the affected joints are?  Like I said I have been having a lot of aches and pains in my back and neck but I have no signs of any psoarisis on my back or neck at all.  Same thing with my feet.  They ache a lot but there is no actual psoriatic lesions on the skin.  The only places its present are on my elbows a little bit, on my scalp and a little on my penis.  The cracking of my skin on my fingertips is beginning to concern me tho.  Also the little red dots underneath the skin of my palms and soles of my feet still concern me.

 

Posted 5/21/2007 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
The psoraitic arthritis I have presented itself at first as little red bumps on my hands and feet, then blisters then as white thickened ***** spots on my scalp and then in every crease on my body.
Posted 5/21/2007 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
were the little red bumps on your hands and feet underneath your skin or on the outside of your skin?
Posted 5/21/2007 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
the red bumps were underneath
Posted 5/21/2007 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Do you have psoriasis on the outside of your skin where your joints are affected? I mean like is the psoraisis all over your back and knees and neck and elbows and feet, or do you just feel joint pain with no outside skin symptoms?

Sorry for being so persistant but Im just very worried about this.
Posted 5/21/2007 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm worried about it too, its still not cleared up. I had my first Remicade treatment on May 10th, and for about a week, my pain was gone and the psoriasis blisters and red bumps went away, but my skin on my hands, feet, scalp and every where else were still trying to heal, but after about a week, I woke up one morning and the blisters were back and my joint pain.

I have the psoriasis red bumps and blisters on my hands, feet, (my scalp looks like white thickened puss bumps), arm pits, vaginal area, underneath my breasts. Mostly the joints that are affected right now are my neck, lower back, hips, ankles, and knees, but no psoriasis on my joints.
Posted 5/21/2007 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Schnuzers I feel like we are in a very similar situation. Im only a 22 year old male and have joint pain and psorasis in basically the same places you do. Prior to this I have always been an active person involved in sports and such and to have this happen at such a young age is very depressing. I have always played a lot of hockey and golf and probably will not be able to this season because of the pain in my joints. I have also been involved in music playing guitar and piano and really cant do either of those right now. Have your doctors given you any indication that things will completely clear up if you take the right medications? I just would find it extremely depressing to not be able to do the things i like doing if in fact i get diagnosed with PA. Any thoughts on prognosis you have heard would be great. Thanks.
Posted 5/21/2007 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hey karma and schnauzers.. I have PA.. it affects my neck, spine, wrists, knees, feet and toes.. Prior to Enbrel, I had dactylitis (which is when your toes or fingers are so swollen the have a 'sausage-like' appearance).. I only had the psoriasis plaques on my scalp and some on sporadically throught out my body (one spot on left breast.. 2 spots on lower back).. Since I went on the Enbrel, I don't have any more plaques unless I am under severe stress, then I get one behind each ear, and that it...

Schnauzers - have you been on Enbrel at all? If you've already addressed this, so sorry, but I've been a bit absent lately...

Karma - When do you see the doc? Do you have dactylitis? Or pitting in your nails?

You both take good care and hope to hear from you soon!

Duck
Posted 5/22/2007 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
my nails have kind of a orange reddish tint on some of them but i dont really have any swelling of the fingers or toes. Ducky when you take that enbrel medication does it improve the joints affected by the PA or does it just help for the plaques. I dont really mind the plaques on my elbows or scalp that much but the sore joints is really depressing me. Im just wondering how treatment for the actual arthritis helps you. Can you exercsie and play sports and stuff?
Posted 5/22/2007 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Ducky, I've tried Humira, Enbrel, topical steriods (dermasmooth, luxiq, centany, zyrtec, iodoquinol, clobetasol, taclonex)and now we're doing the Remicade infusions, my 1st was May 10th, my next is May 24th. I was on Enbrel when it first appeared.
Posted 5/22/2007 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Karma - for me, the Enbrel helped the plaques as well as the joint pain and swelling.. Within the 1st month, I had noticed a big difference. I am able to do anything I want now (to an extent).. I suffered a lot of damage to my feet, so I can't run, it hurts too much.. but I can still swim, walk without a limp, jump on my trampoline.. play with my kids and do everything I used to do.. (I never used to run much anyway) Have you seen a rheumy?

Hey Schnauzers - So sorry the Enbrel didn't work out for you.. Did it help at all? I hope you get results soon with the Remicade, I know it can take a little bit for you to feel the effects.. When did you get diagnosed?

I hope both of you get relief soon.. take good care..

Duck
Posted 5/24/2007 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
no ducky i have not seen a rheumy yet. my dermatologist is having me do some blood work and then have another appt with her in about 2 weeks. How recent is enbrel and what is it? Is remicade newer than enbrel and how effective is it? Iv been reading a little bit of stuff about some type of injection that stops any damage arthritis causes and makes living much more comfortable. you guys know anything about that?
Posted 5/24/2007 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I believe Enbrel, Humira and Remicade all came out right around the same time.. I have been on Enbrel for 2 years now, so I would say they've been around 5 years maybe? Enbrel is supposed to be one of the most effective treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, then if you fail that, go to Humira.. then Remicade.. but there are other meds out there now too.. The injectable you are thinking of, may be Enbrel. It doesn't fix any damage already done, but it slows the progression of it pretty good to where it's almost stopped.. Some people have gone into a medically induced remission, but once they went off the meds, it came right back.. Humira a injectable as well, Remicade is by IV..
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