Awaiting confirmation PSA diagnosis

Almonmd

I have 2 siblings with RA, one for 30 years and one in the last 4 years. A couple of years ago I started to notice some changes to my fingers, bony growths and fingers deforming, with some pain. As I had familial history of RA, I was referred to a Rheumatologist. Initial diagnosis was Nodal Osteoarthritis, but with a note saying to refer back if I showed any signs of inflammation. I started to develop rashes on my feet, but as they disappeared, didn’t think too much about it. Last Christmas I had crippling pains in the tendon at the back of one foot. I assumed I’d damaged a tendon. Six months later I was still limping with the tendon pain, and the foot rash came back, along with a rash on my face and ears, along with changes to my toenails. Lots of intermittent joint pain/stiffness and exhaustion. My doctor referred me back to the Rheumatologist, who suspects I have PSA. I’ve had X-rays of hands,feet and one hip,as I was limping. Plus MRI of both ankles. I’ve also been referred to a Dermatologist, to confirm that I have Psoriasis. Once all that’s completed it’s back to the Rheumatologist for confirmation.

noddingtonpete

Hello @Almonmd and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you waiting to have your diagnosis of PSA confirmed and have an initial diagnosis of Nodal Osteoarthritis. Have a look at the following articles from our website, they might give you some additional information.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/may/all-about-psoriatic-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/foot-and-ankle-pain/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I am sure that others will connect with you to share their support and experiences as well.

With very best wishes

Peter (moderator)

Almonmd

Thanks for this info. I wonder if the auto immune conditions of RA and PSA have some genetic link . 3 out of 4 siblings now with inflammatory arthritis. Does anyone else have similar familial experience?

stickywicket

I think the genetic link is to autoimmunity rather then any specific 'branch' of arthritis. I have RA. My mother had psoriasis but not PsA. My sister, in her 80s, developed PMR but was fine until then. (In fact, she's almost 'over it' now.)

I hope you can soon get on some meds and get on top of it all. By the way, you can have PsA without psoriasis.