Think I've been misdiagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome. Symptoms fit psoriatic arthritis.

[Orchidkiller]

I'm seeing my rheumatologist in a month so I'll discuss this then but just wanted to talk this through first.

Sjogrens diagnosed in mid 30s about 5 years ago. Main symptoms were joint pain and sore eyes. Been on hydroxychloroquine ever since but really struggling with joint pain.

I've had several flare ups of a skin condition since my early 20s. It didn't occur to me that this was psoriasis as it didn't look like it to me, no plaques, just an angry red rash. Anyway, saw a dermatologist and it is psoriasis!

I have pain in my feet, left elbow, right side of neck, which now has ristricted movement right knee and right hip. Before I started hydroxychloroquine, my fingers were also sore and swollen. They still swell if I miss a day or 2 of medication.

Does this sound like it could be psoriatic arthritis?

Thanks

I have both conditions although the psoriatic was diagnosed instead of RA simply because I had psoriasis as a child . I haven't had any psoriasis as an adult at all. My arthritis tends to be symmetrical so both hands, both knees etc. My sjogrens was diagnosed as a secondary condition to my PSA and the bone dry eyes, absolute lack of saliva was the main symptoms. That for me was at times wise than the rest of the PSA symptoms as you can't talk without saliva. Your sleep is destroyed without saliva and tears. Is brutal.

In your sites I would look at what the treatment options are for each condition. Today you start on DMARDS and if they don't work go up to biologics. I'm currently on Cimzia after Humira and I have a good quality of life for half of the month but will always be limited. If you can't get "decent" medication like biologics for sjogrens then I would argue for a re diagnosis/second opinion. But off the treatment is the same, is not as important what the label is. After a while they stop giving you extra Diagnosis anyway as it's a a bit like Pokemon, trying to catch them all 😂

As @myceliumama says once you have one automatically mine condition you are likely to get more.
Currently I have 5, rheumatologist says he's no longer interested in actual diagnosis just ensuring effective management/ treatment.

It could well be both - Sjogrens often accompanies RA and lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

Also, it's worth being aware that an inflammatory arthritis in someone with psoriasis isn't always psoriatic. It could be RA, for example. It could also be multiple types e.g. PsA and RA.

That being said, anyone with psoriasis with joint pain/swelling should be referred and examined for psoriatic arthritis. Heels and elbows are commonly affected with PsA. An entire toe or finger swelling like a sausage is also a sign.

How are your nails? Any changes like pitting, discolouration, detachment?

In my case I developed nail psoriasis (pitting and some detachment) aged 23. I had some issues with my achilles and some stiffness in my fingers but was told I didn't have PsA on several occasions. It was all fibromyalgia and ehlers danlos. I had some odd skin issues but told they weren't psoriasis - they were either eczema or a fungal infection or an unknown allergy.

At 32 my elbow swelled up, my toe nails started detaching, some pitting returned to my finger nails and my achilles flared up. Diagnosed with PsA, psoriasis and nail psoriasis 9 months later (Covid delayed it).