Has anyone got psoriatic arthritus that can help ?

[goingmadnow]

My fingers and wrists have been hurting now since the end of my pregnancy (now 5 months post partum) no warmth but definitely swollen hands as my ring now leaves a constant indent when it didn't fit me properly before !
I've always had flare up's of really dry itchy skin on my hands that eventually cracks and bleeds and gets very painful. The doctor said it's hand eczema.
No psoriasis, but my sister bless her is covered from head to toe in it and it's very bad.
I've also got two dodgy big toenails, I thought it was a fungal infection but from reading it seems it can be a common thing in people with this type of arthritus??

I've had bloods done and all normal apparently. No inflammation etc. so wtf is it ?? My nan had rheumatoid arthritus but I'm not convinced it's that really as no warmth in my fingers. Just this bloody pain. It hurts most in the mornings, when pushing the pushchair, lifting heavy things etc

Can anyone help? I feel like the gp isn't taking me seriously because the bloods are normal

I had a letter back today off Rheumatology- basically saying there is nothing wrong with me lol.

I had a pelvic X-ray which shows 'early wear and tear, no inflammatory changes were noted in the hips or sacroiliac joints'

'Ultrasound of hands and Achilles tendon showed no inflammatory changes or connective tissue disease'

Muscle enzyme tests normal as was CRP.

So 🤷‍♀️

They said 'It is mainly Polyarthralgia (whatever that is) and to manage with medication and symptomatic management. And I have been discharged.

Have you looked into vitamin deficiencies? Low iron, zinc, and niacin (b3) can cause all sorts of terrible symptoms like rashes, diarrhea, heartburn, nail changes, hair changes, etc. Might be worth looking into, especially if all the other tests (autoimmune, allergy, etc.) are coming back negative.

My and my baby's "eczema" turned out to be pellagra - a severe niacin deficiency. All of the prescribed steroids, antibiotics, anti-virals, etc. actually made our rashes significantly worse.

Best of luck and hope you feel better soon!

@Rolypolyup hope you don't mind me asking how you are. I read this post and your symptoms are exactly the same as mine. Just waiting to start treatment

Hey! So I am still on the same dose of immunosuppressants. I attend my check ups and quarterly bloods. I have had a tight knee for a while but that's ok now. I don't think I'm affected by my meds at all.
They are still using both descriptions for diagnosis. Where are you with your symptoms? Hope you're ok. If you're taking anti inflammatorys I recommend asking for etoricoxib

@Rolypolyup thanks for your reply. I'm feeling fine apart from the swollen toe and finger. I contacted the hospital to get started with immunosuppressants as soon as possible. Did you find the swelling went away? Did it go with the anti inflammatories or immunosuppressants? Im so fit and active and the thought of not being that way is scary. It's nice to hear someone who is positive!

I've had rheumatoid arthritis for about 6 years - bloods were negative for the first year, but damage could be seen on an ultrasound

@Notalldogs23was there much drama he showing on your ultrasounds, and how long had you been having symptoms at this point?

I'm waiting for my next appt with the rheum, she's sent me for bloods and scans to 'rule out' psoriatic arthritis. I don't think she thinks I've got it; she thinks I have fibromyalgia.
I have severe nail psoriasis and dry eyes, among other symptoms, and also joint pain.
I don't know what the MRI and X-rays show, however the radiologist did discover inflammation during the ultrasounds on literally just one distal joint.
He says inflammation is inflammation, and that he will have to report that to her. But I don't know what she will make of that, the fact that there was just such a small amount.

I honestly don't believe I have fibromyalgia.

I also read psoriatic arthritis can start in the distal joints.
Just wondering if other people were showing lots of inflammation when they were scanned

@Notalldogs23 damage not drama!