Sclerosis or arthritis?

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emif1986
emif1986 Member Posts: 2
in Chat to our Helpline Team

Hi there,

I'm Emily, female aged 34. I've been having stiff and painful joints in particular fingers and toes rather than them all. I've had both x-rays and blood tests which have both come back as negative for arthritis.

I'm wondering what else this could be. all the fingers and toes in question are stiff and painful and no matter how hard i try they will no longer bend or extend fully. my right index finger is extremely painful and if i force it to bend it almost 'pops' as i bend it and when i let go it will ping back into it's previous position without me extending it myself. It feels like this is something to do with my tendons rather than the bones.

I had the same issue a year ago but with my thumb on my left hand - which now seems to be fine except for feeling a little stiff in the mornings.

I've suffered with Psoriasis since a child which is another autoimmune disease.

I have an appointment with my GP next week but wondered if there was anything i could be suggesting to him that this could be - as they seem to keep coming back to arthritis but my tests have already come back negative for that.

I'd really like to get this diagnosed soon, as I'm now completely unable to use my index finger on my right hand and walking is becoming very painful as i have the same issue in my left toes and right big toe. They will not bend down or stretch back so every step is becoming really painful.

Any feedback or help would be really appreciated.

Thanks so much

E x

Comments

  • jeddison1985
    jeddison1985 Member Posts: 211
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    Hi @emif1986 firstly let me welcome you to the forum I hope you find the information and support you are after from our wonderful community.

    I can see from your post that you have been having issues with pain in your fingers and toes, and as yet have not had any positive diagnosis. The journey to diagnosis with arthritis can be a long and complex one but I am sure the specialists will get to the bottom of your condition.

    The site is full of information and I wanted to signpost you to some information that might be of help while you await further tests etc. Some general information on joint pain, also a link to Psoriatic Arthritis as you mention Psoriasis which can be linked.

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

    Please feel free to search the forum for others with similar experiences and I am sure that some of our community will be able to help offer some useful suggestions.

    Take care and I hope you get some relief and answers soon.

    Thanks

    Joe

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,488
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    Hi Emily

    Thanks for your post to the Helpline. Seeing a physiotherapist in person can often be very useful. If they examine you and write to the GP that can often help to provide information to assist referral. (Their description of stiffness or functional problems, would be helpful to a rheumatologist for example.)

    One of the difficulties with X-ray is that it may not pick up early problems on small joints such as hands. (I'm not sure if they've imaged your feet?) Sometimes an ultrasound can be helpful at spotting signs of inflammation (especially as conditions such as psoriatic arthritis don't always show up in blood tests.)

    You'd be most welcome to ring us here at the Helpline on our freephone, so we can support you further.

    very best wishes

    Guy - Helpline Team

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