Psoriatic arthritis “syndromes” l’ve made up

HMF

Of course they tell you about the terrible pain, the swelling, the sausage toes, etc but I found some specific situations that I thought I’d share and see if you have them too:

1. Painful pocket sign – sometimes it’s so hard to put hands in pockets. Pulling the pocket outward, and then pressing the hand inward can help slide the hand into the pocket without getting too irritated.
2. Painful handshake sign – shaking people’s hands can be so tough sometimes. I will put out my elbow to do a elbow bump.
3. Painful counter sign – just the lightest knock of the hand/painful finger joint on a kitchen counter can cause me to jump. Annoying.

Anyone have their own signs?

Arciere

I can’t tell you how much I hate painful handshakes - it’s the worst pain that I have to internally process so as to not make the other person feel bad. Hearing you in the pockets too.

Having an inability to open packets or beer is also rubbish. Excuse me - can you open this (gluten free) beer for me 😂

And like counter pain, opening a stiff window can be extremely painful - I have resorted to using elbows

jamieA

Hi @HMF

With me my fingers feel constantly as if they have been overworked and I don't have the strength or dexterity in them I used to have. The fresh orange juice carton I usually buy has changed it's screw-on top from one that was about 30mm in diameter to something more like 20mm and that's now an issue as the smaller top is more difficult and painful to grasp. It's on the sloping top so I can't get my cap opening device in easily. I can't use a standard tin opener as my grip is weaker and more painful so I bought an electric one. Tear open resealable plastic packaging like cheese wrapping is not possible to do so I use scissors. I've an issue with hands in pockets as the backs of my hands ache constantly. It's difficult to put on gloves unless they are loose fitting. Extending open my hand to pick up something wide and weighty is painful. As well as PsA I was diagnosed with enthesitis and my right forearm swells regularly overnight and now my left is doing the same. I wear a smart watch 24/7 as I also took a heart issue and the watch alerts if my heart rate goes above a defined level. In the morning my watch strap is digging into my wrist but the swelling goes down when I'm up and about. My forearms constantly feel as if I've been weightlifting and I wake regularly during the night and that's what I'm aware of immediately.

However the issues I have are significantly less than before the medics found the correct combination of medication back in 2021. I'd rate them as a 2 or a 3 on a scale 1-10 in comparison with my worst times before finding the correct medication.

Ponee

Hi all,

Really sad my fingers don't make any noise when I snap them anymore. It really hurts too but I'm more sad I can't snap them really. I stand at work all day and my hips ache like you wouldn't believe, I have to like... dance in place for relief and I'm sure I look ridiculous 😅

HMF

Thanks for comments! Scissors needed more, plastic packages harder to rip open, jars harder to open, fingers don’t snap, smaller tops of orange juice are harder to open….