Psoriatic Arthritis

techiedeb

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know if you are diagnosed with PA in your hands but have pain in your hip, knees, wrist and aching legs that means it is PA in other joints too?

My Rheumy diagnosed mine 3 weeks ago in my fingers. The worst thing is my thumbs that hurt constantly. I asked her about the X ray on them and she just said oh you probably have it in them too but didn't even show me the other x rays and my hip is also quite achy at times. My knees hurt going up and down stairs and my wrist gives way if I lean on it too much.

I had x rays on all these joints but not told anything and was so shocked to hear I had PA I didn't think to ask.

Also can anyone tell me what sort of side effects they suffer on Methotrexate. I am now getting mouth ulcers and headaches a bit more than I did before but no sickness etc..

Thanks guys
Deb

dreamdaisy

Hi, my PsA was unusual in that it started in my left knee; it usually begins in the smaller joints such as toes and fingers. Mine took years to spread - I know that RA can have a sudden-onset pattern but PsA is a different kind of inflammatory condition. Could it be your OA that's being aggravated? DD

lily

Hi

My psa started in my hands, I kept dropping things but that was 30 years ago, a very long time before I was diagnosed, in fact I was only told I had arthritis 2 years ago but by then all my joints had it.

I had a full body scan in January this year as I was told the scan can see much more than an xray, this should up a lot of damage.

Go see your doc and ask if its possible to have a scan

How are you on your meds as they can take a good few months to start really kicking in.

take care
Lily x

Boomer13

I'm in the process of being diagnosed but my disease looks like it will be psoriatic arthritis. Started in my wrists, the dominant one worse than the other. Dropping things, weakness, tendinitis, carpal tunnel, lumps on tendons, then athritic changes. ~4 years later it spread over a few months to most other joints and I developed Raynaud's and a neuropathy in hands, and legs, feet. In the last 3 years it has spread to all my joints, neck and spine. I think I have a severe case and most do not, so don't compare yourself to me. It's very different person to person so care needs to be taken when comparing your symptoms to others. You don't need more stress!!

It's good that you're on DMARDS. I have side effects to oral methotrexate like sleepiness, dry cough, nausea, headache, patchy burning skin. All ease after 18-24 hrs. I try to plan to do nothing on this day. I increased the folic acid dose to 2 mg on the 6 days I don't take mtx. This has helped a lot. You can take it in the evening so you sleep through the worst. I'm slowly getting used to it and the side effects seem to lessen with time.

Take care & be good to yourself,

Anna

stickywicket

None of us can tell you if it's PsA in your other joints, Deb. The good news is that, if it is, the methotrexate will help them too.

I get no side-effects from meth other than an occasional day of tiredness the day after it. I take folic acid on two days per week but, if you're getting side-effects, you should ring your rheumatology helpline for advice. They might want you to increase it.

It's all a lot to get your head round at first. You'll get there.

Tubby

My Finger joints were the first sign but it was soon showing in many joints. As I understand it (and my body tells me ) that this type of arthritis is a whole body response which not only manifests itself in joints but causes extreme fatigue and swelling in in tendons and potentially in non visible parts of your body.
I didn't get on with the tablet form of methotrexate so stopped taking it for 6 months. It made me feel sick, tired, sore throat, sore mouth and dry cough. I also didn't seem to be working that well. Due to deteriation I have been persuaded to go on the injectable form. Too soon in to say whether it is working but My reaction to it seems less. I have had a sore mouth but it seems to be reducing, I occasionally have a dry cough and it makes me feel tired the day after. I take Folic Acid everyday except the day I take the methotrexate.

DebbieT

Hi,

My PsA started in my right hip, not at the joint tho, it caused the tendons etc to swell & rub against the bone so it's thinned it.

I also have it in my neck, ankles & fingers. My wrists have been painful lately & my feet but I'm not sure if it's OA, PsA or Fibromyalgia :?

I'm on 30mg methotrexate with no side effects & 5mg folic acid twice a week.

I requested a report from my rheumy a month or so ago as I needed it for my Dla renewal, I was amazed at wot I learned!! It seems I'm 'riddled' with it especially in my hips & lower spine :? So I was in the same boat as you, I wasn't told everything & was putting stiffness/pain etc down muscle weakness & Fibro but now I know different!!

Good luck.x