Beyond Psoriasis

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Psoriasis and peripheral neuropathy

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Hi everyone!

I’ve been told 11 years ago that I have Psoriasis. Back then it was restricted to the soles of my feet. My Mum had just passed away and I had lost my job, so stress definitely was one of the triggers.

Now I have symptoms of arthritis, Rheumatologist is still doing tests to diagnose which type. In February I had a flare-up: peripheral neuropathy on both hands and feet (numbness, weakness, burning) and dry and scaly feet, belly button and left ear canal. I’m 18 months postmenopause, have a lot of symptoms, but the peripheral neuropathy was new and it’s being investigated but nothing has come up yet.

Has anyone had this? Do you think it can be related to Psoriasis in any way?

Thank you for reading!

Chinchi 💕🤗

22 Replies

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Sorry Chinchi. I don't know. All I can say is that menopause can be a bitch. Seems to trigger a bunch of truly irritating problems and autoimmune diseases. But now that we are here at this time of life, I remind myself to live as healthy a lifestyle as I can and make the time to see the right specialists...no matter how much I'd rather not. And maybe also it's a reminder to be a bit more selfish, and take of ourselves the way we may have always taken care of our families and/or our clients or jobs...and treat ourselves once in a while! (But, alas, to anything other than a sugary snack.)

Thank you Rosedail! You’re absolutely right, menopause has been a really difficult time for me. Perimenopause symptoms have begun in my early 40’s. Some have subsided a bit (anxiety) but pains and aches have got worse. It makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose other conditions. There are not many specialists here and healthcare is not free so even if I could just take care of myself I wouldn’t have the money ☹️ I have a 90 year old father and I’m his only family now. Sisters don’t care and brother helps with sone money, but no involvement.

I keep wondering if I should start HRT despite some issues like fibroids, polyps and blood clotting to see if my symptoms are from menopause. Take care! 🤗

Which country are in?

Brazil 🇧🇷

Ah. We have the same problems all over the 🌎

youtube.com/watch?v=VM0-AnT...

Someone whose work can be helpful in dealing with menopause is Dr Christine Northrup...books and videos. Her book may help you get some information about HRT and she's balanced. I sent one link out of probably dozens, but sometimes the links don't work internationally.

Oooh. Just watched a bit of this. I have not watched her stuff for a few years. She is a bit more non-traditional than I remembered. Sometimes it's good to get another perspective though.

Thanks! I’ll have a look.🤗

I loved it! She's definitely non-traditional but I like her style! Thank you❣️

I have Sjögren’s Syndrome which was misdiagnosed as RA for five years. The peripheral neuropathy is the main feature of mine - plus possible Spondyloarthritis.

Thank you Twitchytoes! Oh dear, we need Dr. House! I’ve been told I have osteoarthritis. I don’t say I’ve been diagnosed, really. I have high uric acid levels and father’s whole family had gout, he included, so it could be gout arthritis which has a different presentation on women after menopause.

What were your first symptoms? How could they have missed Sjögren ‘s? No dry eyes, mouth? Oh dear, one more to the growing list.

The burning hands and feet is just unbearable, and now I can’t move my right hand middle finger because of stiffness and pain. Simple tasks are becoming a burden. NSAIDs make me bleed. I need a proper diagnosis and the right treatment. Take care!

💕

I have also been told I have some wear and tear arthritis - but not severe enough to account for my progressive neuropathy or other balance symptoms.

Mine started with a diagnosis of RA, although I was already hypothyroid and also had a lifelong history of eczema including pomphyox and severe alopecia areate. After losing both parents suddenly and with menopause underway - I had sudden onset of bilateral joint pain in hands, knees and wrists. My GP took bloods and I had high inflammation levels plus positive Rheumatoid Factor so he referred me straight to the rheumatologist - who diagnosed seronegative RA and put me on Sulfasalazine (anaphylaxis) followed by Methotrexate.

I then made my way though three more DMARDs over 7 year period with steroids in between each serious drug reaction.

I had a lumbar puncture and brain MRI for possible MS - as that was main presentation of my illness by then. Joint pain mostly gone and no swelling worth mentioning.

When I relocated I saw a very pedantic little rheumatologist who tested my eyes and mouth and found them normal - so said it couldn’t be Sjögren’s. I was on steroids and still using eye ointment nightly. No CTD, no RA as bloods all negative apart from inflammation.

Then relocated once more and saw neuro who diagnosed small fibre neuropathy but was otherwise mocking and dismissive. Another rheum, on brink of retirement, said my extensive small fibre neuropathy tarried with Sjögren’s and ran full gamut of blood tests - lo the ANA flagged up high but pattern of Scleroderma. No surprise to me as I have Raynaud’s and some other features. But no specific antibodies. He asked for my optician to confirm my eye dryness which was easy as had it all my life. Oral dryness only mild mostly so he ordered a lip biopsy and this showed 100% positive for Sjögren’s.

There that’s my sorry story lol - but you did ask and I always try to raise awareness where possible! hopkinssjogrens.org/disease...

You keep sharing your history! What else can we do to enlighten doctors? A detailed medical history is the key for a correct diagnosis. I’m sorry you had to put up with all this suffering,, but have to say I’m glad you’re still here, otherwise I’d be lost without answers.

Thank you 😊

Glad if I have helped. Just one thing more - peripheral neuropathy usually shows up in nerve conduction tests but small fibre neuropathy usually doesn’t. So if tests show normal then yours could well be small fibre neuropathy.

Thank you, that’s very helpful. Is there a diagnosis test for SFN? What are your other symptoms? Could it be related to Psoriasis?

The gold standard diagnosis is made by small punch skin biopsy - usually somewhere between thighs, calves and ankles which has gone a bit numb after a spell of burning pain.

I was only offered this once done years ago when the pain was still mainly in my feet hand hands but wet, crawling sensation everywhere.

Mine came back negative but the diagnosis held because of my history and then my definitive lip biopsy result. I would like to have it repeated for clarity’s sake but had a few years under a nasty, dismissive neurologist, whom I’ve now lodged a formal complaint about. To me it is the worst kind of pain possible - and the rheum and vascular doctor can confirm it because it shows in white and blue feet when I get in the bath and I have shiny wasted skin on the areas it has affected most and also suffer vibrating leg and resting tremors in legs plus pins and needles all over, including face and mouth. Ugh!

Re it’s link to Psoriasis - all I know is that nerve entrapment caused by swollen joints and tendons can cause quite localised SFN and large fibre neuropathy - so RA and PsA can affect the small nerve fibres. Similarly Lupus and Vasculitis and Scleroderma can affect the small and large nerve fibres around the body.

The most common causes of SFN are: diabetes, alcoholism, chemotherapy, Sjögren’s, Vasculitis, Lupus and Erythromelagia- although many with Sjögren’s are told they have Fibromyalgia or idiopathic SFN. It’s a truly miserable and miserably under diagnosed and under researched area of medicine I’m afraid.

Indeed, it seems it’s up to us to investigate our issues, thank goodness for forums like this!

One last question: do you have autonomic symptoms such as bowel or bladder issues?

Yes totally! I’m currently being investigated for sciatica or even Cauda Equina. However I think the likelihood is that my loss of bowel and bladder function is related to my autonomic dysfunction and sciatica. I apparently have good control over my pelvic floor so Cauda Equina unlikely. MRI soon to confirm.

Goodness! We’re twins in misery 😱 I really hope you can have some answers with the MRI. Good luck dear and keep posting.!

Chinchi 🤗💕🍀

I was diagnoised with Psoriatic Arthritis 18 months ago based on my nails and family history and many many xrays. I can tell you from my experience I did have burning skin and it was severe it would float across different areas mainly my feet and I still have a numb big toe from it and I've been menopausal for 15 yrs hardly doubt that's the cause.

Thank you Canyouhearthat, I've been reading your posts and see that you had ovarian and thyroid cancer. Do you think your burning skin could have been a side effect of chemotherapy?

No, Ovarian Cancer was 15 yrs ago and the Thyroid cancer was never given RAI because it was contained in the Thyroid. I think my skin burning was thyroidectomy related which brought on this 23 month psoriatic arthritis flare.

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