New with queries.

bluebellfaery

Hi, I'm new.
I had x rays last week and have been called back in three weeks which is making me panic a lot. (reassurance appreciated)!
I have been told I also need an ultrasound as they think I have psoriatic arthritis on my ligaments and tendons. They x rayed hand and hip. The hip they wanted to look at carefully because they didn't know if the problem was due to my EDS, my psoriasis or my Colitis! It's painful, particularly if I get in the wrong position. I have to walk with a stick in case I fall. I haven't been prescribed any analgesics.
Thank you for reading and apologies if I'm in the wrong place!

[Deleted User]

Hi Bluebellfaery,

You would never be in the wrong place! Lovely to meet you and a lovely choice of username.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome/psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis all share symptoms, I don’t envy your health team sorting that out! Here’s some information on psoriatic arthritis from our versusarthritis.org.uk website

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/

You will see that there are meds available though they would all have to be carefully chosen not to interact with your other conditions which might be the cause of the delay.

Ultrasound is quite a common procedure, not something to worry about, it lets the specialist see your soft tissues up close.

There are other ways to get some pain relief, warmth or, interestingly, cold can help, maybe a soak in a warm bath, distractions like reading/tv/puzzles etc. I’m sure more suggestions will appear.

I too use a stick and that is partly to avoid falls, it seems a sensible plan to follow.

Just ask any questions that crop up, let us know how you are feeling and we will support you through this diagnosis and afterwards, if you need to chat call our helpline, open 9.00am - 8.00pm weekdays on
0800 520 0520

Take care
Yvonne x

bluebellfaery

Thank you, that's very kind of you!

dreamdaisy

Hello, I am in my 23rd year of PsA which has also caused osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. I recently had my meds for the PsA changed (without any consultation) and I am far from my usual self (even my husband has spotted the change so it must be pronounced )

It took nine years for me to be accurately diagnosed (which wasn't important then and isn't important now) but does show that it is not easy diagnosing a sero-negative auto-immune inflammatory condition. Being called back for further tests is nothing to worry about, I would see it as reassuring that they are being thorough rather than making instant decisions.

I was born in 1959 with an over-active immune system, I appeared with patches of eczema. This disappeared until I was 18 months old then all hell was let loose. Further nonsense appeared with asthma when I was seven so this is merely more of the same. PsA does affect the entheses so causes a different kind of joint damage to RA and the other kinds of auto-immune arthritis: to me it sounds as though the people you are seeing are knowledgeable and diligent.

I have to go now, wilting again. Things were fine (apart from pain) with the right meds but now it's somewhat different. DD

bluebellfaery

Thank you DD. I hope you feel better soon!
t69044

dreamdaisy

Hello, how are you doing? I have OA in both hips, both knees and both ankles plus PsA in my knees and toes so the days of one stick are long gone. I use a seated rollator when I am out and about because it enables me to rest (especially when queueing) and it helps me go further. I can also carry shopping in the basket which is very helpful. Footwear is flat, sensible, cushioned and most importantly colourful and sparkly: having a boring condition does not mean I have to be boring too, does it? DD

dreamdaisy

Hello, time is ticking away towards your appointment and I hope you are not feeling too nervous about it. Casting my mind back to my early days many appointments seemed to be a waste of time but they weren't because things were being ruled out (which is sometimes more important than ruling them in). I hope you are keeping as well as possible. DD