I'm finding it hard to get my head round this...

[GFmum]

Hi

Although I have been diagnosed in November with PSA, I'm still trying to understand it..I guess I always thought of arthritis being joint pain alone . At the moment my kenalog injection is wearing off, I have this achy feeling all over my body as if I have the flu, pains in shoulders and it feels like my tendons/muscles are inflamed, some pain in thumb.. I am also so tired and my mood is low... Before injection had more pain in joints and heat from joints affected,also lump appeared in one of the joints. Is this normal for PSA ? Most of joint pain I have is on right side, also do you also get heads aches from pains in neck joints? Sorry I have so many questions..

Take care

[helixhelix]

It is hard to get your head round this, I think everybody finds this. it took me years....

If you imagine a Halloween skeleton dangling in front of you, then classic arthritis attacks all those bony bits. But what you have is a systemic disease of connective tissue, so it's more a disease of all the stringy bits that hold the skeleton together, and surround all the organs tucked inside, and the skin that keeps it all in. These diseases can then damage the bony bits just like arthritis does, but that's a side effect.... so yes a fluey feeling is common as the disease is all over even if it feels like there's just one or two joints that are hurting.

And then if you think about the skeleton all connected up, then yes a problem in a neck joint can travel along all the stringy bits and cause headaches.

Hope that helps?

[amanda-dunmow in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for the explanation it makes more sense now that the pain moves around so much. In one day I can start with feet hurting and end up with wrists or all my body.

[GFmum in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you very much for your reply it has helped.. Over the last 5 years I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea,then gallbladder taken out, chemical and food allergies (possible Celiac) and now PSA.. I guess I'm just trying to figure out what symptoms are from PSA.

[BlightyFiveStar in reply to helixhelix]

Helix you are excellent at explaining!

[Magymay]

Hi I'm in exactcly same as yourself.on metoject 20mgs weekly . It's all related to it .Do you get pins and needles when you go in hot water ?I'm constantly on toilet for a few days after it .and then the fatigue sets in .Horrible can't talk or j just want to sleep for a few days .If you get inflamed any where your immune system can turn on itself and make it worse .It a really hard thing to understand but overtime you will learn how it works .I've suffered this for a long time but only recently been diagnosed .Do you have psoriasis ?meds help mine a bit. *Don't lose faith your not alone ☺costochondritis is a common thing but a real pain .Only painkillers help. 😐x

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[GFmum in reply to Magymay]

Hi I'm not on any meds yet.. I see the rheumy nurse in February. I couldn't believe I was diagnosed with PSA because other than elbow rash now and again I didn't think I had psoriasis, consultant checked my scalp and found some there - I didn't know that's what's it was. I did have ridges in my toenails and one of my toenails fell off a few times...

[Nettac]

Hello

I have PsA too. It's a swine isn't it. I'm afraid it does attack the tendons. I had bilateral achilles tendinitis for over a year. It was agony!

I also get appalling headaches, mostly caused by my neck and back. Weirdly... And most folks won't like doing this, I find sticking my head under cold water seems to help my inflamed head! Also a cold shower helps lift my mood. I gradually turn hot tap to cold so it's not s complete shocker! Depression walks hand in hand with PsA. Don't think methotrexate helps on that score!

My knees, spine, feet, shoulders and tendons are most affected. Fortunately my hands aren't too bad. I get pain in them but no swelling as yet. It's bilateral, but the right side is generally worse. My nails are pretty bad on my feet. I frequently lose one or two of them. This is the psoriasis part. My ears and scalp are affected too, but generally the psoriasis is pretty mild. The arthritis on the other hand is not.

Bowel issues are often a feature if PsA. I have IBS. I've just started methotrexate which seems to be helping.

The low mood can be a real stinker, if it gets too bad be sure to tell your doc. I won't take psychotropic, I tend to use exercise such as walking and swimming. Also just going for s coffee and seeing folks helps.

[Nettac]

Things do get better!

[LizzieR]

I too have PSA. All the symptoms you describe are common, as the others have said. The lumps behind joints are too- they are (probably, though get them checked) Bakers or synovial cysts. I have them behind elbows and knees. They are basically where the synovial fluid has leaked out of joint. Sounds awful, but not really.

You will, I promise, start to understand this illness and find it easier to deal with. Be kind to yourself and take your time xx

[Kai--]

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Nicole, Jennifer, & andyswarbs ( healthunlocked.com/cure-art... ) might help make it a bit easier to ‘get your head around’ PsA (Psoriatic Arthritis), GFmum? 🤔 A bit of good cheer & practical experience to help soldier on. 😌 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

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[ShirleyLambeek]

Hi I've had psoriatic arthritis for 22 year. After having two full body flare ups I was out on methotrexate and leflunamide 14 years ago. Life isn't always easy. I have complained about my back for years and they insist it's machanical and not PSA. They say it isn't a typical symptom of PSA. I don't believe this but I am giving couch25k my best shot. Just completed week 3 and feeling proud. My back aches no matter I do. Swimming is the most painful. I'm doing this on the treadmill first at home before I try the outside world. Good luck to all fellow PSA sufferers out there.

[Kai-- in reply to ShirleyLambeek]

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The Reply directly above might be of interest, ShirleyLambeek? 🤔

You might relate to the PsA experiences of Nicole, Jennifer, & Andy ( healthunlocked.com/cure-art... ) . 😌 🙏

Congratulations on week 3 of your ‘Couch25K’ efforts! 👍👍 Well done!! 👏 Cheering you on. 🤗 🎉

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Various back/ spine exercises of possible interest? 🤔 healthunlocked.com/nras/pos... (scroll downward on page)

Very best wishes to you, ShirleyLambeek. 😌 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

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[ShirleyLambeek in reply to Kai--]

Thank you for the links I will check them out 👍