psoriatric arthritis anyone...?

[trc1962]

Well, new rheummy said today he suspects I have developed p. arthritis because of symptoms. I have suffered through some hairloss for years that came along with sore, itching and scaling scalp. I had a derm tell me it is seborrheic dermatitis and treat it with shampoo-so I do. However, everytime I am on prednisone it completely goes away and all hairloss stops. Rheummy said it sounds like psoriasis, not seb derm. I lately also get neck and lower back pain at night. When I wake up in the morning it feels like I been beaten up, or slept on a rock! However, I force my way through my excercise on my nordic trak and I feel better. Also my knees aching can awaken me about 4 am just throbbing. I have ridged nails as well, but many autoimmune people have that. Any info is appreciated!!

[Sooki]

I'm sorry you're hurting so.  When I was first diagnosed, PA was one of the things my rheumy was looking at.  I think I remember him saying that PA causes erosion of the joints, like RA does, whereas SJS causes pain through inflammation, but not so much actual degradation of the bones.  He ruled out PA in me based on MRI and other scans.  If it had been PA, he said he would have treated it more aggressively, to prevent bone damage.

He also said that the joint pain can come before the psoriasis in some cases.

I hope you can get some relief from the pains as you're going through the diagnosis process.

[matildamillicent]

My rheumatologist has also suggested that I may have Psoriatic Arthritis. I have pitting in my nails, inflammation of the very end finger joints and sacroiliac joints and I have had flakiness of the scalp. It wasn't there when my rheumatologist looked, but my GP saw it. She basically said it could be Psoriasis or it could be that seb. derm. but that it didn't really matter because they were treated the same. I've been using Tgel shampoo and it's gone.

Nothing else has been mentioned about Psoriatic Arthritis but I only see my rheumatologist every 6 months. I also probably wouldn't go on any stronger medications than Plaquenil, Mobic and tapers of Prednisone for flares.

Good luck.

[Joe S.]

When extremely stressed my PA will show itself. First I get little pimples that look like a heat rash. As I strongly touch things, the upper layer of skin will separate and I will use feeling where it is active. eventually it will peal off and feeling will return. I was told it was typical of PA by my Reiki Daughter who is an EMT (long story for another time). They see it quite often in their elderly patients.

[Deserteyes]

Hi, yes I have also been told perhaps psoriatic arthritis, and it is still noted on my docs notes, but I don't think it is because it has never progressed - but the stiffness in lower back and feeling like I have slept on a rock is utterly familiar to me too.  I can't help with any more info tho, ther than keeping moving is good, and antinflammatories such as ibuprofen or Celebrex are helpful when things are really bad.

Leah

[Iwantmylifeback]

Interesting information...that is why I like the feed here.  More info to be tucked away.  Sorry so many share this pain in one form or another 

[trc1962]

Thanx for all the answers. The p arthristis is only a hunch by my rheummy for now, he hasn't ordered any x-rays yet. I am going to see how the cellcept with the prednisone works. I am more uncomfortable and concerned about the p neuropathy from secondary sjogrens. Hopefully the cellcept will push that back as well!