Looking more like PsA?

ouchpotato

Hi everyone, hope you are all feeling well (as can be).

I am waiting for a dx from the rheumatologist, and have an MRI on Saturday, with a follow up in November. My GP referred me with suspected ankylosing spondylitis.

However, one of my feet is showing increasing signs of having psoriasis (never suffered with it before). I did try to show the rheumy but she is horrid (had dealings with her before due to her being my daughter's rheumy), and she wasn't interested, wouldn't even look. One foot only is affected, first it was the toenailsm which have become incredibly thick, white and coming away from the nail bed...first one nail, then another and now all five. Then the skin under my foot started becoming drier and drier, and thicker...there are patches which are almost solid if that makes sense? Not under the heel which I am used to (a big fan of killer heels) but the ball of the foot, the sides and even under the arch which doesn't even touch the floor so shouldn't be dry from friction if that makes sense? I've tried treatments for nail infections to no avail. Now, for the past few days, areas on top of my foot have been itchy, and now there is a patch of skin around the side and top of the base of my big toe joint which is red, slightly bumpy and dry, and it burns.

I do have trouble with pain in my feet and ankles, various toes hurt especially in the morning. My other main pain is my spine which I know can play a huge part in PsA. I have a few finger joints which are painful and I have very little grip left, one finger joint is bent. There are various other areas which are involved too..hips, knees, elbow and shoulder...I am currently only taking cocos as NSAIDs cause gastritis.

I was going through a good patch pain wise but now it all seems to be coming back at me in a rush, I woke up this morning and my first thought was 'I'm so sick of waking up in pain'.

Any thoughts appreciated

x

dreamdaisy

I think it may be time for a trip to the GP - he or she should be able to recognise the skin and nail troubles - they may refer you to dermatology and I hope you can find out what is going on. We are not docs and so cannot diagnose, I too have nail and skin trouble but not quite like yours. Please make an appointment and let us know how you get on, yes? DD

stickywicket

I'm with DD. We can't diagnose and nor can you. Better to ensure you get the right treatment for the right problem than risk making things worse with the wrong one. Ditch the heels, though. They won't do anything any good.

ouchpotato

Thanks for the replies...I would never expect anyone to diagnose me on here! I was more just looking for anyone with similar symptoms - the rheumatologist asked me if I suffered from psoriasis and when I started to show her my foot she waved it away with her hand and said she'd look at it later...she didn't. That's why it's been in my mind that it could be PsA instead of AS, that's all. The soonest I can get in to see the GP is second week of September.

Sticky...my days of killer heels are long gone! I still have my collection of killer heels, but alas all they are doing is decorating my bedroom and gathering dust! It's been crocs all summer for me.
I think I'm just cranky through lack of sleep...next door neighbour has been staying at his girlfriend's house and leaving his dog alone all day and all night...she howls ALL night long and keeps me awake.

The trials and tribulations of life eh?

DebbieT

((((Ouchpotato)))) I fully sympathise with lack of sleep as I'm an insomniac, it's dire!! :? It seems to make pain worse & my temper shorter ... I can't wait for the chronic fatigue to take front & centre, I normally hate it & prefer lack of sleep but this has gone too far!! Chin up & maybe buy earplugs? Poor dog tho with the heat we've been having.

I have severe chronic plaque psoriasis. I don't know how much you know about it but plaque is only meant to affect ure limbs, mine effects my entire body, head to ankle.Lol It's also 'guttate' as it is widespread (this is how my dermatologist explains it to me).

A couple of years ago I contracted glandular fever & I hadn't been off kissing anyone, not even hubby.Lol They had to stop my methotrexate. I went into an immediate flare of psoriasis.

I had thick, red & hot plaques all over my body. My heals were cracked & quite sore, they were really thick too like id never looked after them. I got an appointment to see my dermatologist as my gp wasn't sure wot was wrong with my feet & concerned she'd give me the wrong treatment. It was plaque. My family has a history with psoriasis but none of us had seen it on the soles b4!! I then got inverse psoriasis in all my creases followed by pustular psoriasis on my palms. My finger & toe nails have always been involved but mainly my finger nails.

Wot I'm saying is ... Anything is possible!! A diagnosis of ure skin will most likely help in ure arthritis diagnosis so I'd definitely ask for a referral to a dermatologist. They'll be able to tell you once & for all if uve got psoriasis. Also they'll be able to give you topical treatments for ure feet whether its psoriasis or not!!

Good luck, I hope you find sleep soon.x

Boomer13

Hi ouchpotato;

I wish for you that someone would biopsy your foot! I'm feeling lucky that my GP did this for me and that result clinched the diagnosis. I don't know what kind of relationship you have with your GP, but maybe you could prod him/her for this? While I'm waiting to see a derm, at least I know what it is and, what it's not, now. This has made a huge difference for me. So much so, that I now think the biopsy was worth it's weight in gold.

I really don't think some doctors realise what an effect having a diagnosis can have. It sure has for me anyway, and it doesn't matter that the treatments are the same, you just want to know what it is!!

I hope the dog's owner comes back to stay soon.
Good luck, Anna xx