Does anyone on here have psioratic arthritis??

[connie15]

[watson3]

Hi Connie

I don't have psa arthritis. HLA B27 a genetic test can be performed to ddtd't the genes that can cause it to be passed genetically.ESR and RA blood test can confirm diagnosis.

It can occur for other reasons people with psoriasis can go on to develop this disease as the immune system is under stress. It can affect bones, joints and tendons.

There are a few other members on line who do have this disease. If you look on the NRSA information site you will get updated information on it.

It does affect both women and men. Usually ar diagnoound the age of 30-50.

Sorry if you do have this condition. I am sure you will get lots of assistance here.

Good luck

Caroleh

[Hidden]

Yep! 'Almost certainly' according to the last Rheumy I saw & he did seem to be excellent. I had a rash for 20 years but it was quite mild; I've not had it for 16 years now & I was only diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis last June. Apparently my diagnosis won't be 100% certain unless it comes back. I do have some funny toenails, though. Again, nothing too awful but I've read that about 80% of people with PsA have nail changes.

Anyway, I was glad to get the more specific diagnosis of PsA rather than just the more vague 'inflammatory arthritis' as there does seem to be a school of thought that treatment for PsA should be a little different than that for RA. But it seems that people with moderate to severe PsA do at least start off on Methotrexate, which is what I'm on, and it is often the first drug given for RA too, I think.

I also gather that PsA wasn't always taken as seriously as RA but that does seem to have changed, thank goodness. How are you at the moment and what meds, if any, are you on?

I'm assuming a lot, for all I know you are asking on behalf of someone else who has this disease. I'm sure you will get more responses because there are quite a few people here with PsA. I know it is meant to be an RA site but we seem to be allowed to stay! And in any case diagnoses do change - even after a few years sometimes. And PsA and RA are so similar - both autoimmune, inflammatory forms of arthritis with virtually the same symptoms and problems.

Hope this helps, if only to let you know that fellow-sufferers are here if you want to write more.

Christina xx

[Hidden]

Hi, I am one of the ones who definitely has PsA, I was diagnosed in 2010 although I was first at the hospital in 2009 when it started in my ankle, I believe I have had it longer than that. It sometimes takes a while as it can mask itself as other Arthritis. The areas that I have it are nails - toe and finger, toes, feet, ankles, knees, fingers, wrists, back, neck, and finally shoulders. My nails are very brittle and pitted, and hurt when cut or filed. Fingers are turned, curved at the tips, not all of them. I also have it both sides of the body, at the same spot. Ankles are very swollen and heels extremely painful. Have to wear bedsocks even in summer as they can get extremely cold although you touch them and they are hot.

Treatment, have had Sulza, MTX, Leflumonide, Embrel plus the usual painkillers. I am just about to go on holiday for two weeks, if you want any further help I can answer on my return if not in a rush just private message me, and I will reply then.

If not I am sure there are others who could help. Take Care, xx

[earthwitch]

I've almost certainly got spondyloarthritis, though not clear which kind (PsA is one, and so are Ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, or undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy). That HLA B27 blood test isn't a whole lot of good for actually diagnosing as a lot of normal folk have it, and not everyone with spondy has. If you have AS you are more likely to be positive HLA B27 (80-85% of AS are positive) but with PsA far less are positive. This forum is really good for general support, specially for folk in the UK, but if you want more specific information on psoratic arthritis, then there are lots of other websites that deal with it more. The general spondyloarthritis sites also usually have quite a lot of info on PsA as well.

It isn't treated in quite the same way as RA, because there aren't really any disease modifying drugs (DMARDS) that work to calm down the disease. Though having said that, if you have a lot of peripheral symptoms (anywhere other than the spine) drugs like MTX can really help, though not in quite the same way they do for RA.

Anyway, I hope you get yours under good control quickly and it stops being too much of a problem.

[lorann]

Yes, Connie, I have had PsA for over 30 years, also RA for 10 years, Have had 8 spine surgeries,, Spinal Stenosis, due to the ovrergrowth of bone cells withi the spinal canal, as is typical of the activity of Psoriasis in the epidermal skin. The first attack recognized was of my feet, one day at work, shoe got tight saw ER doc, as I was on duty in the hospital laboratory. That was the last day I worked full time.

I began wiht MTX, Sulfathalizine, Plaqueinil, the customary drugs. Also, now take ZArava, Mtx and the biologic, Simponi. It has had the best effect. I do still have pain in my spine, tops of feet, and ankles. My toes are gross;ly deformed, and overlap badly, causing fitting shoes a real nuisance! My hands, fingers and wrists are not so good. Had extensive surgery on rt. wrist in March to remove some portion of the ulnar and remove the small, disc-like bones in the wrists which had lost all the cartilage to hold them in place and were painfully rubbing against each other. I fI can tell you anything more, please do ask, I didnot have this wonderful site 30 years ago!!!! Or you may PM me also. Above all, be defenseful with the winter months approaching! Loret xxx

[lorann in reply to lorann]

That is Arava, not ZArava