Psoriatic or Osteoarthritis

HayleyO

Hi, I was told I have psoriatic arthritis in 2019, the only time I have seen a consultant and have been x-rayed. I had one check up with a nurse about 6 months later who looked at my hands and told me I also had osteoarthritis. In September this year I had a lot of pain around my ribs and at night I couldn't sleep on my left side as it felt like I was lying on a ball or stone, it was quite painful. My ribs felt tender but the pain moved round it was always in a different place. At the same time I had reflux, pain all along the front of my rib cage and bloating. To add to the confusion I also have a tiny amount of bowel due to C Difficile. I had a FIT test which came back positive so I had a camera up my rectum and down by throat plus a MRI scan. Nothing was found which was a relief. No reason or further tests were offered, so I wondered if it may be my PsA. I managed to get an appointment and saw a nurse who had a report of my scan. On the scan it did mention "mild endplate degeneration within the lower thoracic spine. No destructive bony abnormality" The nurse said I would probably need an x-ray and said she would try and catch the consultant who was just about to leave. She was gone for about 5 minutes and came back saying I wouldn't need an x-ray as the consultant said it was osteoarthritis. She then said the pain was due to the OA pressing on nerves and said I needed Amitriptyline. When I got home and read about the side affects I decided not to take it. Just after the pain improved and I no longer feel in pain lying on my side, although the area is tender to the touch and is uncomfortable on long car journeys. I just wondered as the pain has receded and was moving around so much is there any possibility it could be the PsA? Or would there have been bony abnormalities on the MRI scan if this had been the case.

CarylW

Hello @HayleyO

It sounds as if you have had a lot of conflicting advice which is not helpful for you. You may find that others on this forum will be able to let you know of their experiences, and in the meantime, I hope the information below may clarify things for you a bit:

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

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

Best wishes

CarylW

helpline_team

Hi @HayleyO

 

Thank you for your posting on the forum. You have asked if I just wondered as the pain has receded and was moving around so much is there any possibility it could be the PsA? Or would there have been bony abnormalities on the MRI scan if this had been the case. It sounds as if you have had a difficult time with this and have been through lots of tests and been told you have Osteoarthritis but you have questions about this following the MRI.

 

Your question is something to talk through with your rheumatologist or rheumatology specialist nurse as it did not sound as if you had enough time to ask questions or about the results of the MRI and why this has shown a diagnosis of Osteoarthritis.

 

Our information states that Psoriatic arthritis can cause pain and swelling along the bones that form the joints. This is caused by inflammation in the connective tissue, known as entheses, which attach tendons and ligaments to the bones. When they become inflamed it’s known as enthesitis.

 

Enthesitis pain can spread over a wider area rather than just inside a joint. Affected areas can feel tender if you touch them or if there’s just a small amount of pressure on them. It commonly occurs in the feet. This can happen at the back of the heel or on the bottom of the foot near the heel. In some cases, this pain can make standing or walking difficult. The knees, hips, elbows and chest can also be affected.

 

I see that CarylW has provided links to the information on Psoriatic and Osteoarthritis. I have also put a link below that may be helpful to you.

 

Newly Diagnosed

 

 

Best Wishes

Dawn

Helpline Advisor