psoriatic arthritis- what were your early symptoms

[User129867588]

I’m 42 and 2 years ago I lost a toenail followed by one fingernail pitting over. No other symptoms until mid 2022 when I started with mild joint pain in my wrists and foot. Pain foot is on the joint with my big toe. My foot seems worse in mornings and goes through flare ups. It’s not excruciating and not stopping my usual activities but it’s there and can be uncomfortable at times. During a flare up if I step on my foot a certain way it can be very painful. Same with my wrist, it’s not constant but I feel some discomfort . In the last 3 months a second fingernail has pitted over and nails don’t look as healthy. I am starting to get a bit more concerned so have booked a GP appt for mid January.

I don’t have any psoriasis on my body.

I’m within a healthy BMI, have pcos and androgenetic alopecia linked to pcos but hair thinning so bad I wear wigs when out .

I follow intermittent fasting for last 2 years and have a good immune system since I started. I don’t catch colds /flu , didn’t get Covid when it made the rounds on two separate occasions in my house and I feel good apart from this niggling feeling about PsA

If anyone has been diagnosed, what were your symptoms?

thank you

How are you feeling after your update OP?

My pelvis X-ray came back ok, so now waiting in the blood test results to see what action to take next. The GP has, however, after seeing the photos of my nails (can't see them in person as I constantly have builder base and gel on them) sent me for more blood tests, for iron, calcium and Vit D as these were not tested originally.
I've also now been referred to dermatology regarding my nails.
But until I get my bloods back there's no further update

I’m relieved the inflammation and rheumatoid markers are normal. Still think something is happening(she couldn’t explain the nails) but early stages so for now I will keep a look out for any new symptoms. The foot pain is not great and I’m
not happy that it’s moderate bunions but GP said it’s good that I’m active and relatively young (42) and surgery at a younger age (if required) is better than waiting until much older. We shall see what happens.

my calcium was fine, just slightly low on vitamin d and iron but no major deficiencies so she didn’t think it had anything to do with my nails.

I forgot to mention, I also have bunions but I've always just put it down to my flat feet, plus lots of running and walking over recent years.
I get pain in the bunions now and then but have always hoped I wouldn't ever have surgery on them as I'd hate to be out of action even for a few days.
Did they suggest you'd ever need surgery on them?

Just to note that 60% of people with psoriatic arthritis have normal inflammation markers in their blood.

Was going to say something along these lines: mine go up and down into the bad zone and out again.

Am relieved reading some of the ordeals people on this thread are having that my specialist was happy to listen to me as well as the blood tests and x-rays etc.

Just reading through this thread and wondered if any of you could tell me. Do you get cracking/popping noises in joints? One of my children has this and pitting in nails. Joints don’t appear to be sore but very obvious cracking noises.

Lots of my joints crack/pop. All day long.

My knees are the worst, I cannot crouch down without them cracking. Even standing still, I only have to shift my body weight and my knee makes a noise.
My elbows crack every morning when I wake up. I have to crack my ankles before I go for a run otherwise I feel like my feet won't move!

I wonder what causes the crack? Is it the tendons? That’s great you can still run

I read it was air in the joint

In other news, I've just been in for a follow up appointment and to discuss further symptoms, and apparently they my symptoms are indicators of MS. Have been referred for an MRI. I don't even know what to think

Sorry to hear that. I hope you get some answers soon

Hi OP, I have psoriasis and was getting similar aches and pains from about your age (also for ages have similar issue with toenails that have been attributed to psoriasis). The aches and pains were definitely peri menopause related though and it took me years to even consider it. HRT started at 49 and they improved almost immediately. Something to consider…so many weird symptoms come with peri and there may be a link with psoriasis/immune system and hormone levels but IDK.

Oh no 🙁 I’m sorry to hear this. Hopefully the MRI will give you some answers. I have my referral through for my foot issue as it’s a bunion that is forming. Other than that I’m having terrible pain in my upper arm and shoulder- sometimes neck too but not sure where to turn to next as the only thing the GP was prepared to refer me for was my foot. I’m popping ibuprofen most days and alternating between ice and hot water bottle

Thank you for sharing. I’m 43 and have very regular periods but part of me wonders if maybe I’m entering peri as have noticed a few other changes. Have started taking some vitamins for peri and am keeping an eye on my symptoms.

have just randomly come across this thread again.
how are you getting on OP?
I was diagnosed with PsA in Nov 24