Psoriatic Arthritis

bobmar
bobmar Member Posts: 8
edited 17. Mar 2010, 17:06 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello - this is the first time I have posted a message.
I would be most grateful if anyone could let me know the name/names of any good specialist/s in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis in the North East of England. We are based in the Middlesbrough area and would be happy to travel as far north as Newcastle and as far south as Leeds.
I hope someone can help.

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bob,

    Welcome to the site, they are a good lot here. I can't help you with a specialist cus I a long way down from you but hope you find one. Take care and nice to meet you Cris
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bob,
    and welcome to the forum form me too :D

    I have PsA too but live in Central Scotland so.....bit too far for you to travel.

    Have you had difficulties with finding a consultant where you are or had a bad experience? what support and treatment have you had?

    hope you get help soon....the earlier the diagnosis the sooner you get on the right meds....although there is no single blood test for PsA so it can take a bit of time to get a firm diagnosis....but you maybe know all that already.

    I'm rambling now , sorry :oops:
    Iris x
  • bobmar
    bobmar Member Posts: 8
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Bob,

    Welcome to the site, they are a good lot here. I can't help you with a specialist cus I a long way down from you but hope you find one. Take care and nice to meet you Cris

    Thanks so much Cris and good to meet you too. I'm going to spend a bit of time this week to sus the situation out - hopefully we'll identify someone. In the meanwhile take care and keep smiling - Bob.
  • venita
    venita Member Posts: 56
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bob
    Welcome to the site and Hello :) , everyone here are very friendly and helpful.
    I to have PSA, I do not however live up near you I am in Kent.

    How long have you been diagnosied ?

    Venita
  • bobmar
    bobmar Member Posts: 8
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dorcas wrote:
    Hi Bob,
    and welcome to the forum form me too :D

    I have PsA too but live in Central Scotland so.....bit too far for you to travel.

    Have you had difficulties with finding a consultant where you are or had a bad experience? what support and treatment have you had?

    hope you get help soon....the earlier the diagnosis the sooner you get on the right meds....although there is no single blood test for PsA so it can take a bit of time to get a firm diagnosis....but you maybe know all that already.

    I'm rambling now , sorry :oops:
    Iris x[/quote

    Many thanks for your response Iris ..... unfortunately Central Scotland is too far. In fact I'm trying to help my adult son who's been struggling with aches and pains for 6 months or so and has recently been informed they suspect PsA. Sometimes you just get a feeling about these things and I just want to make sure as far as I can he's getting the best help he can - in my experience the NHS is very good but I have found that you do have to keep an eye on things. So far he's had several blood tests which have been inconclusive and was prescribed steroid tablets which didn't seem to help. However he's just had a steroid injection which has appeared to have helped. Anyway I'm going to spend a bit more time this week doing a bit of research so hopefully I'll come up some useful information. Thanks again Iris and take care - Bob.
  • bellini
    bellini Member Posts: 42
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    bobmar wrote:
    Hello - this is the first time I have posted a message.
    I would be most grateful if anyone could let me know the name/names of any good specialist/s in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis in the North East of England. We are based in the Middlesbrough area and would be happy to travel as far north as Newcastle and as far south as Leeds.
    I hope someone can help.


    Hi Bobmar, I have Rheumatoid Arth. and have a very little psoriasis in my thumb nail. GP calls it pustular psoriasis and is linked to RA. Shouldn't your GP refer you to a Rhuematologist, I would think they would check your arthritis status and therefor your psoriatic arthritis. I have found since I developed RA that you have to keep pushing for answers, not very good when you don't feel well. Try the website www.arc.org .uk it is a very good informative site with many links. Or speak to the technical help team on this site. I hope things start to move along for you soon.

    Cassie
  • kmt297
    kmt297 Member Posts: 24
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    I go to the Regional Rheumatology Centre based at Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds. I think it's a good choice for a referral (the NHS now allows patients to choose where they are referred). Same problems as everywhere with waiting lists and waiting times in clinics BUT they have lots of drug trials and are at the foreftont of new developments. You get allocated to a COnsultant based on the type of difficulty. I have psoriatic arthritis that affects my spine and gives me enthesitis in most joints (inflammation of the insertions of tendons into bone rather than the joint space itself). I go to the PSA / AS clinic to see a Consultant who specialises in treating the spine. I would recommend you chat with your GP about the best option for you. Research tells us that early treatment can improve outcomes by preserving joints and stopping the progression of the disease.
    Good luck,
    KT
  • bobmar
    bobmar Member Posts: 8
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    venita wrote:
    Hi Bob
    Welcome to the site and Hello :) , everyone here are very friendly and helpful.
    I to have PSA, I do not however live up near you I am in Kent.

    How long have you been diagnosied ?

    Venita

    Thanks very much for your response Venita. Actually I'm trying to get information for my adult son who has only just (a couple of weeks ago) had a tentative diagnosis of PsA. I must say I've been very impressed with the friendliness of forum members and the concern they express in their responses - it all helps when you're struggling to find answers. Thanks again and best wishes, Bob.
  • bobmar
    bobmar Member Posts: 8
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    bellini wrote:
    bobmar wrote:
    Hello - this is the first time I have posted a message.
    I would be most grateful if anyone could let me know the name/names of any good specialist/s in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis in the North East of England. We are based in the Middlesbrough area and would be happy to travel as far north as Newcastle and as far south as Leeds.
    I hope someone can help.


    Hi Bobmar, I have Rheumatoid Arth. and have a very little psoriasis in my thumb nail. GP calls it pustular psoriasis and is linked to RA. Shouldn't your GP refer you to a Rhuematologist, I would think they would check your arthritis status and therefor your psoriatic arthritis. I have found since I developed RA that you have to keep pushing for answers, not very good when you don't feel well. Try the
    www.arc.org .uk it is a very good informative site with many links. Or speak to the technical help team on this site. I hope things start to move along for you soon.

    Cassie


    Thanks for your response Cassie. In actual fact I'm trying to provide help and support to my adult son who has recently had a tentative diagnosis of PsA. He's been to see his GP who referred him to one of our local hospitals for further investigation. At first they weren't sure what the problem was but now feel it could be PsA. I realize how important it is to diagnose and treat this and other conditions as soon as possible and just want to make sure he's in the best hands.
    I agree you shouldn't have to keep pushing for answers particularly when you're not feeling 100% but this has been my experience too.
    So far I haven't managed to get any information from the site you mention but will keep trying.
    Thanks again Cassie and I hope all goes well for you in the future.

    Bob.
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  • bobmar
    bobmar Member Posts: 8
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    kmt297 wrote:
    Hi,
    I go to the Regional Rheumatology Centre based at Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds. I think it's a good choice for a referral (the NHS now allows patients to choose where they are referred). Same problems as everywhere with waiting lists and waiting times in clinics BUT they have lots of drug trials and are at the foreftont of new developments. You get allocated to a COnsultant based on the type of difficulty. I have psoriatic arthritis that affects my spine and gives me enthesitis in most joints (inflammation of the insertions of tendons into bone rather than the joint space itself). I go to the PSA / AS clinic to see a Consultant who specialises in treating the spine. I would recommend you chat with your GP about the best option for you. Research tells us that early treatment can improve outcomes by preserving joints and stopping the progression of the disease.
    Good luck,
    KT


    Thanks very much for your interesting response KT. In actual fact I'm trying to provide help and support for my adult son who has recently been tentatively diagnosed with PsA - I just want to make sure he's in the best hands. In my experience GP's aren't always familiar with where the best specialist experience is and sometimes you have to make your own enquiries - anyway we'll certainly think about Leeds. In the meantime thanks again KT and my best wishes to you for the future.
    Bob.
  • chahoua
    chahoua Member Posts: 29
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I live in the same neck of the woods as you (Redcar) and have PsA. I've been seeing Dr Fiona Clarke at James Cook for years. She's brilliant - she makes you feel at ease and always takes the time to chat and make sure you understand everything. Has your son had any contact with any of the Rheumatologists at James Cook?
  • bobmar
    bobmar Member Posts: 8
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    chahoua wrote:
    I live in the same neck of the woods as you (Redcar) and have PsA. I've been seeing Dr Fiona Clarke at James Cook for years. She's brilliant - she makes you feel at ease and always takes the time to chat and make sure you understand everything. Has your son had any contact with any of the Rheumatologists at James Cook?
    :arrow:

    Thanks for your post Chahoua. He hasn't been to James Cook yet so thanks very much for the positive feedback. Thanks again and all the best with your ongoing treatment. Bob....