What can I expect? | Arthritis Information

Hi, I'm 53 years old and have just been diagnosed with psoriasis and I believe with psoritic arthritis also. Maybe someone can help me cause I am really confused. I started having spots? on my arms a couple of years ago and they are really flaked and were itchy. I tried everything to make them go away but nothing helped unless I was out in the sun quite a bit. Then I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and started going to the doc. He asked me about the flaky itchy spots this winter...I didn't have them during the summer.

They also became a lot worse this winter. I told him about them and he sent me to a dermatologist. To make a long story short she diagosed me as having a mild case of psoriasis BUT then she asked me about pain. That surprised me since my regular physician never has. I told her yeah I had pain but I thought I just had some arthritis from getting older. She had me describe the pain and then said I had the classic symptoms of psoritic arthritis. Went back to my reg doc and he took blood work and now is sending me to a rheumatologist. Geeze....what can I expect? I have pain in my left wrist pretty bad (can't grip too well) and sometimes when I wake up I can't sit up without my husbands help due to my lower back is killing me. It gets better during the day but I take ibuprophen. I also have pain in a couple of my left fingers although I can't exactly tell where in the fingers. The psoriasis seems to be better with the cream she prescribed although they haven't gone away. I have an appointment March 3rd with the rheumatologist. Can anyone help me figure out or tell me what I can expect to take place? I am fairly concerned about it. Due to the type 2 diabetes I went off sugar and started walking and have lost 115 lbs. I'm off all diabetic meds and I am really really not planning on stopping what I am doing and sure as heck don't want to HAVE to stop.

Any help would be appreciated. I've been reading alot on the internet but I believe if I had someone to talk to maybe I wouldn't be so nervous about going. Thanks a bunch for any help/information.

Hi and welcome. Every case is different and what helps me may not help you. When you go to the RD they'll most likely take blood and will be checking to rule out RA. They may order xrays of your hands and if they feel that you have PsA then they'll talk to you about medication options. My advice is to take someone with you. It's always nice to have another set of ears because all this is new to you and can be confusing. Keep us posted on how you're doing. Congratulations on the weight loss and not having to take the diabetic meds. Lindy LinB2011-02-12 20:54:50

Thanks for replying Lindy, I appreciate it. I understand the Xrays will be to check for damage but since I don't see any I would assume that I am early on in the disease, correct? Can you tell me if they GENERALLY put folks on those medications (like embrel or whatever) when they are early on in this disease process? I know the meds are to STOP damage but I really don't want to start something like that unless I have to. I think I do pretty well with ibuprophen and sometimes my husband's pain pills right now. One of my concerns is if they want to start me on that now what are my choices further down the line? I do walk alot (about 16 miles a week) to keep my diabetes in control and its of utmost importance to me to be able to keep walking.

My PCP did a bunch of blood work (which is why he is sending me to a rheumatologist) and it showed my RA factor was a 7 and I understand that usually means you don't have RA. My sed rate though was elevated and my ANA choice was positive when it should be negative.

I work in an ER and have tried talking to a couple of docs about PA but they just tell me to talk to my doc. I'm not wanting definitive answers (I know everyone is different) but just some general information. I don't know of one person who personally has PA and what they have to do to live with it or what is most generally accepted done for people with PA. My dad had psoriasis (he's deceased now) but I don't have any idea whether he had PA or not.

I'm definately taking either my husband with me or my oldest daughter (whichever one is available to go with me) to the Rheumatologist because I'm sure I won't remember half the questions I have. (I am making a list of questions) but I would kinda like an idea when I get there and start talking to her whether she is considered proactive or not. I'm not even sure what I am hoping for in that matter.

Anyway, I feel better just talking to someone who has the disease and "knows the ropes". I appreciate it trememdously so again, thank you for answering my post. God bless

Hi gardengranny,

I hope you are doing better by now. Have you seen your Rheum. at this point? What are some updates concerning your PA?

I'm 43, and also Diabetic...unfortunatey I'm insulin dependent. I was just (about a week ago) diagnosed with Psoriatic A. and I am also feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of this.

I can really relate to all of your pains...the joints that hurt the most at the moment, are my toes, my fingers and my lower back...however this morning I started having pain in my knees :(

Not only am I "exhausted" but feel as if the PA is taking over my body and life in general...

Regardless how much support I have from my husband and family; I think it's best to talk to someone who has "been there" as you mentioned.

I am supposed to start on Methotrexate, however my Rheum. is a bit hesitant considering I am Diabetic; I agree with you, I'd rather not take anything if I don't have to, but I can't imagine living like this without any relief!!! He started me on a low dose of Prednisone yest. and I feel mild temporary relief so far...we'll see.

Anyway, "congratulations" on your weight loss!!!!! I hope you are feeling better :)

Sandy.

Thanks Sandy for answering my post. Right now I guess I am doing about the same. At least I think I am. I am not going to say I’m depressed but I’m sure not very happy with my life right now.

I went to the rheumatologist and she was thorough but I still have a lot of unanswered questions. They asked a lot of questions and I am still not sure of how I should have answered them. For example they asked about fatigue….geeze….when am I NOT fatigued? I work the night shift, 12 hour shifts and then turn around and try to live my life during the day. Consequently I have insomnia from being on the night shift so long. I have worked the night shift for 20 years now. A little over a year and a half ago they eliminated my department and I had to transfer to the ER and learn a brand new job. So after 50 years old I had to learn a new job (am paid now 3.00 hour less), the job itself is more stressful, am making a lot less money, am getting older and now my body is turning against me.

I can’t sleep a decent nights sleep without drugs but will fall asleep for a few minutes in the middle of a conversation. Nice, huh? When I DO sleep I wake up with my lower back KILLING me. I have to get my husband to help me sit up. My hands hurt, especially my thumbs and somewhere in a couple of my fingers there is a dull ache that I can’t identify exactly where the ache is coming from in the fingers. My shoulders hurt and when I walk (which I do for exercise about 4 miles a day) my knees are now aching. So anyway when they asked me about fatigue, insomnia and the like I didn’t know how to answer them. Is it from the PA or from my lifestyle?

The actual psoriasis plaques are pretty mild on me. I have some on my legs (those itch the most) but have some on both arms and on both hands. Something I can pass along that helps the plaque for me is a moisturizing cream the dermatologist recommended is called CeraVe. I bought it at Walmart and it works GREAT at keeping me moisturized. I highly recommend it. You can google it and for me it does just like it advertises, it moisturizes my skin ALL DAY LONG, even after I wash my hands several times.

I am sorry to carry on but still glad to have someone to listen to me. It just seemed like I hit 50 and things have been downhill since then. On a brighter note though my weight is down to 145 and the doc says no more then 5 more lbs at the MOST. That’s the first time in my life I have EVER heard that. I have always been obese but no longer.

I’m not sure what to say about the Methotrexate because I told the doc I didn’t want to try that yet…..she REALLY wanted me to but said I could try Sulfasalazine FIRST so I opted for that. I am taking 1000 mgs twice a day. She said she didn’t think it would work for me but I could try it for 8-12 weeks and see. Methotrexate is what would normally be next for me to try but she said something about a drug trial she is in and she wants me to try it next. The drugs would be free for me but I am going to have to find out more information about before I decide. She also put me on prescription doses of vitamin D and Calcium. She told me that people with psoriasis and PA generally have D deficiencies. I am also on Ibuprophen 600 mg twice a day. Heheeh I USUALLY take 600 mg 3 times a day though and occasionally one of my husbands Tylenol 4 pills for pain.

The only prednisone that I am on is cream for my psoriasis and I am not sure how that is working. They are getting somewhat better but heck, I told the doc they would get better anyways as soon as I was out in the sun more.

Oh heavens this is long. I apologize Sandy, just started to unload. If you reply I promise not to be so “long winded”. I sure understand about feeling overwhelmed, I feel so overwhelmed right now I could scream. Too much change at one time for me and I am one of those people who want to hibernate when its winter and bloom during the spring and summer. Spring, come on…..my veggie garden and I are sooooooo ready for some warm temps!]

God bless Sandy, I hope we can chat back and forth!

Hi there,

"Please" don't apologize for your long post!!! Vent "all" you want...I am sending you my email in your private msgs. so hopefully we can keep in touch, ok?

I think it's really important to connect with someone who knows were you are coming from...

Take care,

Sandy.

Hi gardengranny welcome and please don't feel bad about unloading it can be daunting. I have had both pa and psa for sometime now and I was in a somewhat remission but it is starting to flare up like gang busters. I have psoriasis on 75% of my body and my hands, neck,shoulders, and toes are getting bad again. Please note that the rhuemy may want to get you on stronger meds for pa to help prevent it from getting worse. You will find out more once tests are done by the rhuemy and they will help you decide what is the best method for you. There are books out there on both subjects check your local library to see if they have books on the subject that you can borrow and read. Fatigue is a big component with Pa and it something you will be dealing with. If you don't want to go the way of drugs check out for books on alternative ways of dealing with both diseases it is up to you as to what would be the best for you, but make sure to read as much as you can before making a decision on what you want to do. Please feel free to come here and unload we are here for each other and we know how frustrating this can be again WELCOME and we hope to hear how evrything went with the dr. meme
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com