Latest Instalment - Yes I Have Psoriasis

rayray

If any of you have followed my tale you will know that I have multiple joint problems but have struggled to get a diagnosis. My spinal surgeon is sure it is inflammatory but the rheumi I saw was rude and asked me very little, barely examined me - just didn't want to know.
The rheumi did ask about psoriasis and I sad no. Anyway I did do a bit of research after this as I have had some circuar patches on my skin which hang on for months. Saw my GP last week and yes, they are psoriasis. I had no idea what they were and have completely ignored them for years. May be the question should be different and not 'do you have psoriasis'.

Now been referred elsewhere so waiting on the appointment. Can't go back to the same rheumi as I saw her once before with a scan my hip consultant had given me with massive swelling on it. She told me later she threw it away because she couldn't open it so it must be mechanical. The logic of that is? I was fuming and four more years of intense pain under my belt plus her rudeness at the latest consultation mean I won't see her again

So it may or not be psoriatic arthritis I shall see. At the moment I am struggling with new intense stiffness mid back. It is very bad and then goes around lunchtime.

A bit concerned about what I hear about treatments for Psa as I have a very sensitive stomach. Not sure what I will do if offered them but having a diagnosis will help me so much.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for all your support up to now.

Boomer13

Good grief, you have been through a lot. I can't blame you for wanting to see a different rheum. I hope you get a better one this time. I'm always baffled when a entirely different specialist thinks problems are inflammatory and yet the rheum says no. Weird.

I really hope you can get treatment that works and is kind on your stomach. I can't say MTX has worked for me but it does for some and, they have no side-effects. I'm not in that group and have moved on to trying biologics.

Best wishes. It does help a lot to finally receive a diagnosis.

dreamdaisy

I feel some sympathy for rheumatologists, they are dealing with a complicated disease which comes in many forms. I agree that some of them leave a great deal to be desired with their 'public' faces (had one or two of those myself) but maybe that's a defence mechanism for the strain of the job.

The meds used to 'treat' PsA are the same as those for all the other auto-immunes. Regarding your stomach troubles they may begin you with injected meth, I do mine and have no trouble. When on the tablets I developed a nasty rash so was swapped when I began humira (by then I was an old hand at injecting and it's no big deal). I was classed for a few years as an unspecified auto-immune inflammatory arthritic, it wasn't until October 2006 that I had my first psoriasis on my palms and soles. I now have little patches here and there but they do not cause me any bother - to have psoriasis so mildly is a blessing. I remember being asked in the early days whether I had psoriasis, I knew I didn't (after years of eczema I knew the difference) but said that my father did. His brother in America resembled The Singing Detective by the time he died so I've got off pretty lightly!

It seems you are creeping closer to a diagnosis and I hope you can begin the meds soon. They are the only defence we have against joint damage so the sooner the better. Let us know what happens next. DD

rayray

Thanks DD and Boomer!

Yes I am hoping to get a diagnosis. It is funny but my physio said that my symptoms are very like AS or Psa but I must be pleased that it isn't - this was before the psoriasis was diagnosed. Yes I am kind of glad that it isn't if that is the case but then I wonder what the heck it is and why do my joints become so stiff? I do feel it is easier to know what you are dealing with than feeling alone and trying to deal with the unknown.

Thanks for your support yet again.