Weakness in joints after a flare? | Arthritis Information
I have only been diagnosed with PsA for about 5 months but have been suffering for about a year and a half. I'm 33 and have had psoriasis since I was 16. I'm on methotrexate and prednisone (which I hate!!!) and getting very little relief. I'll be starting Enbrel in a couple of weeks so I'm still hopeful. Everytime I have a flare up it feels like my joints get weak, loose and unstable. Is that normal? I guess I would expect my joints to get stiff not loose. Also my middle finger has started locking up and I have to use my other hand to bend it back in position. Is this a normal part of the disease? All of this is so new and strange to me. Any reply would be so appreciated. Thanks!Hi
weakness in the muscles is not unusual after a flare. They get weak with the lack of use they get during a flare. The inflammation of flares, esp with PsA, can directly affect the tendons. Make sure you being this to the attention of your dr. A good exercise program will help minimize these issues.
You might ask for a cortisone injection into the trigger finger
So the weakness and instability that I'm feeling isn't permanent damage?
most likely not but if you don't work to rebuild those muscles then the lack of stability can lead to damage during future flares.
how long has it been since you had any xrays of your affected joints
I don't have insurance so I haven't had any xrays yet. My ruemy wants me to xray my lower back first. I'm planning on doing that next month. I have to spread things out so I don't go in debt. Its my hands and knees that feel like they're unstable. My back just hurts a lot. This disease is expensive. I'm lucky my doctor gives me a break because I'm not insured. He hasn't spent any time talking to me about exercise. Maybe its something I need to bring up. Hi Melisa and welcome to the forum. I too have PsA and it's normal for the areas that are affected to feel weak and unstable. The ligament and tendon area becomes inflammed and that causes the feelings that you describe.
If you start exercising make sure that you start slowly and don't jump right in and exercise those areas to the max. I do water exercises and it's been great. It's more gentle on your ligaments and joints while you get the benefit of exercise. Hopefully, Enbrel will give you relief, it's helped many people. Take care and keep us posted. Lindy
Hello and welcome
I also have PsA, but I hang out here lots more discussion. My hands are definetly the worst for me and I have one finger that has gone crooked. That's permanent but hopefully with Enbrel it will be my only one. Enbrel has helped with the severity of flares but one thing to remember is it's not a pain medicine. It's so common to have tendon problems right now I have tendinitis in my right shoulder, hand and ankle. Hang in there, once you find the right meds you will feel like a new person. Some days are so good I wonder if I have imagined the pain. Unfortunatly I'm not that lucky!
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