Suspected Psoriatic Arthritis

[NeonQT]

Hi, new to this group. I have an appointment next week with a rheumatologist as my GP suspects I may have psoriatic arthritis. I have flare ups of psoriasis and in recent years have had swelling in my knees and pain in many joints when i have a flare up, and sometimes when I don’t even have any psoriasis patches at all. My Gp couldn’t identify any inflammation at the time i saw him (although to me my wrists and fingers were puffy) so i think he is sceptical but has referred me based on my symptoms and history. I also have had slightly raised crp on blood tests for a long time apparently.

Just after some advice for my appointment really, things to mention etc as I don’t have any swelling at the moment and no active psoriasis patches, but i do have pictures of when it has been bad. Is it weird to take those pictures along to the appointment to show what its like when I have a flare?!

[Shana8]

Sounds like my story.. I brought the pictures to show as my pso was pretty low at the time. The young rheuma had his doubt about pso.art as there was no sign in blodtest except the high prc .. but lucky for me, he went to ask an older doctor who then came to see me and talk about my symptoms. As my pain shift a lot aroun between joint and I'm seldom swollen exc for knees and fingers sometimes.. he said, he had no doubt I had pso.art.

Also I mentioned I've had some trouble as a kid, with pain an easy exhausted. He then said I could also be hyper mobile. Common issue with pso.art patients..

Hope that help you a little. ❤️ Don't be afraid to show pics and describe in details how you feel from day to day. And if you feel not listened to, maybe ask for a second opinion.

Best of luck 😘🥰

Btw : I had 11 years on Methotrexate, - now on biologics. The latter has made my life pretty normal. 👍🏼☀️