Psoriatic Arthritis

[CavendishCool]

Does anyone have any experience with this? From my research from, yes, Dr. Google, on a Saturday night when I'm fed up and after my pedicurist suggested that the red scaly patches on both legs could be psorisis. Apparently psoriatic arthritis is very closely related to Lupus and you can have both. Obviously I will contact my GP on Monday, just interested in case there's someone out there. Thank you fellow Lupies.

[tannallatc]

I am interested in this too as I have RA, and a tentative diagnosis of MCD (which essentially presents like Lupus in me with all the signs and symptoms, positive ANA but above normal Complements and low Anti dsDNA - hence lurking on the Lupus boards). I saw the Rheum recently who asked about Psoriasis, which I have no diagnosis of but have had occasional scaly patches and skin irritation in the typical places before now. In short, she ordered yet more bloods to explore the possibility of Psoriatic Arthritis - perhaps she is looking for a better 'umbrella' for my condition as I have definite joint damage but a Lupus like presentation. I don't know, but it would be interesting to know more of other people's experiences and thoughts.

[CavendishCool in reply to tannallatc]

Hi there. Thanks so much for replying. I do have an approachable GP, who was quite astute when I had my original Lupus bloods 3 years ago followed by a really good Consultant Rheumatologist to confirm his diagnosis. Haven't seen the same Rheumy again and my last two check ups have simply been 5 minutes long and no further bloods. I have been developing other symptoms over the last few months in my hip and knee joints together with the sausage fingers and now these red scaly patches on my lower legs which I've been ignoring tbh. The x-rays I had on my knee and hip showed osteoarthritis but that was 2 years ago, so it might be interesting if they will agree to repeat them to see if there's any change. I will report back, but thank you for responding. On the scale (pardon the pun) of things, it's nothing, but if I can preempt later, more invasive treatment then that would help to try and keep it away for as long as possible. Maybe it won't be possible. Quite frankly after researching psoriasis last night, I felt pretty low, but of course I'm lucky I've only got this. Take care of you.

[SLS2103]

Morning! I have a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (but not actually psoriasis). The rheumatologist said it can happen that way and my mum had psoriasis. It manifests mostly in my hands and produces 'sausage fingers' occasionally. Definitely Worth asking a doctor about it. Good luck. X

[CavendishCool in reply to SLS2103]

Thanks for getting in touch. I read your reply and my Dad had psoriasis, so I guess that's my genetic link and I will remember to include that in my email to the GP tomorrow. At the moment I am feeling quite resentful of Lupus because if anyone else tells me it's nothing to worry about, then I'm going to burst into tears. It feels a whole lot of something to me and I work really hard at trying to keep it under control. It reminds me of that game whack a mole. Just start to feel human, up pops, this week, psoriasis. Keep well.

[SLS2103 in reply to CavendishCool]

I know just how you feel. Hope you get some answers soon.

[KnitSewPurl]

ohh.. I get red lesion spots all the time. it is very normal for me it very Lupus Lesion spots. it was diagnosed in some when in 2018 or 18 by a dermatologist when I flared up so much when I was seeing a consultant during that time so she got a consultant dermatologist to check me over to confirm of my spots so yes I get them on my face ,head- scalp it appears took like psoriasis but they are like lumps on my head and they are so painful when I have it ,foot , legs,(calf and thighs) tummy , arms ears , eye brows, all at various stages never all at once . I can have head, foot calf tummy and thigh and body they start of pinky red then turn brown then sliver when they drop off do not try to pick it off any any one stage. it will continue to reform it original 1st stage of progress again and takes along time to get to silver stage before it comes off naturally with out any scars. my recent ANA shows still mild I am still taking 400mg /200mg hydroxycloroquine. Still show slight raise CRP .

Diagnosed in 2010 with SLE and Bronchiatitis.

[CavendishCool in reply to KnitSewPurl]

Thanks for replying. Really helpful advice about the dermatologist. I have had other "itchy" patches elsewhere on my body, but they are not as horrible as the ones on my feet and ankles. I'm pretty good at not scratching as I care for my brother who has cerebral palsy and ongoing cellulitis which he "scratched" once and it took months to get under control; so I won't be doing that. Thanks so much. Hope you keep well and itch free.

[rmros]

Hi. Not exactly what you're asking but thought I'd share my story. I have psoriatic arthritis, but not lupus. But it took a lupus specialist to work out what was wrong with me. While I was trying to get diagnosed as a woman in her 30s with joint pain all the focus was on rheumatoid arthritis and all the RA tests were coming back negative so my rheumatologist - who was dismissive and generally unpleasant - was convinced there was nothing wrong at all and focused on trying to prove it rather than considering other things.

It took an accidental booking with the wrong consultant (Dr Kaul at St George's) who noticed I had nail pitting and some small scaly patches on my hand and started to look in another direction. I hadn't even noticed - I've had dry skin and eczema nearly my whole life and had no idea these could have been related to the joint pain I was having.

Unfortunately I was then sent back to the first terrible rheumatologist who simply ignored it and continued to tell me there was nothing wrong with me. Even when scans eventually showed a problem she didn't consider PsA and just kept insisting it was a mild case of inflammatory arthritis. But Dr Kaul had sowed the seed and I asked to switch consultants (not to him, but at least to someone who wasn't dismissing me) and I finally got a proper diagnosis and they realised things were worse than they had first appeared.

I'm happy to report that first rheumatologist has since quit the medical profession entirely.

[CavendishCool in reply to rmros]

Hi there. Thanks so much it does help; too much imformation is better than not enough in my opinion. My bloods came back. I do have psoriasis, but my inflammatory markers show that the inflammation is under control (although today, I'm in so much pain in my joints that I'm sure the markers would be up - it feels like I'm on fire). The Rheumatologist thinks it's psoriasis rather than PA. I have to repeat the bloods in July when I'll see the Rheumatologist for my annual check up. The GP has marked up my file though. It's a sort of day where I do the things I HAVE to do and the rest will still be there tomorrow. Namaste 🙏

[rmros in reply to CavendishCool]

Hope you can get the pain under control. Just remember inflammatory markers are not always raised in PsA because it often affects tendons and entheses. I have never had raised CRP or ESR even when scans have shown active inflammation, even when I've had visibly swollen joints. I think this is true for about half of people with this condition so trust your instincts if you feel like you're not getting the right answers.

[CavendishCool in reply to rmros]

Oh thank you so much for this reply, I had no idea; my right knee is very swollen as are my fingers; they feel like they could burst. The psoriasis just literally appeared from nowhere too. I will actually go back to keeping my diary again. I usually just accept the pain as part of me now, but it's been almost unbearable today. Thank you for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. 🙏