Psoriatic Arthritis - finger swelling question | Arthritis Information

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Hi everyone,

 
I'm new here.  I was just diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.  I'm a 31 year old mom of two and can barely make it down the hall to get my one year old out of his crib in the morning.  Bleh.
 
My question is - have any of you had the finger swelling, and if so - can it be treated or does it just worsen and affect more fingers?  I ask because music is my career and besides my family (of course), the piano is my life.  I'm terrified that I will not be able to play if my fingers worsen (one is already unbendable).  This worry does not help my stress level, which I know can make everything flare up even more.
 
I was hoping that one of you could tell me that it comes and goes or something to that effect...the soonest appointment I could get with a rheumatologist is in two weeks...
 
Thank you, everyone!  Glad to have found a support system!
 
All the best,
Anne
Hi acpiano,
 
I am also new to the forum and have also been recently diagnosed with PA. Unfortunately, I can't answer your question about the finger swelling, but after reading many posts, I believe there is hope for us-(my fingers are also swollen and hurt like crazy!
 
You mention even having trouble getting your one yr. old son (I'm sorry...) is this due to fatigue? I ask, because I haven't started treatment yet-but find myself "extremely" fatigued these past couple of days and it coincides with my arthritis flaring up...I've read the PA can cause fatigue; but haven't read on this forum of  many people complaining of that symptom...just thought I'd ask!
 
Thanks!

hi acpiano-

I'm new to this site, but not so new to PA. Finger swelling can improve. I had steriod injections directly into the affected knuckles that swelled the whole finger. That really helped. After the injections i wrapped them with this self adhereing bandage - you can buy it at drugstore (looks like ace bandage  -1") i wrap my affected fingers every nite before bed - that really helps reduce swelling!
Your story sounds similiar to mine. I'll be 30 in two weeks and i have two boys. i was diagnosed 6 months ago. It was very sad when i had trouble caring for them. My finger was so swollen i couldn't even change my infants diaper. I saw a rhumy and they wanted to put me on immounosuppresents...i gave it a try and had nasty side effects. then i started reading and reading and reading. I decided to take the natural road. I take supplements, work out, do yoga (awesome for sore/stiff muscles and stress!) and am on a pretty strict diet...it has really been helping - i am by no means cured but i am doing 10 times better than i did on meds...if you want more info let me know...i wish you the absolute best - I CAN SOOO RELATE.
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