unsure how to work this site yet,but fingers crossed.been in pain since december,started with fingers ,thumbs,then wrists ,elbows,knees,ankles,toes sometimes jaw and back,tested negative for ra and lupus.do get quite inflamed but annoyingly not when at an appointment.consultant thinks possibly psoriatic,and carpal tunnel and oseteo.my symtoms change from day to day and seem to get worse,i have had the red hot areas on some joints but mostly get pain with only some inflammation although i can see my fingers are already bending out of shape.i also have had red almost like thick stripes across my back and around both upper arms which is really hot to touch but seems unrelated .also itchy eyes,crunching and buckled looking knees!i have had a number of infections(ears,throat mainly) and currently have a chest infection..any advice or am i just completely mad!!

Dear Becky,:)

No you are not mad, arthritis makes you get mad though. :mad: I have psoriatic arthritis - diagnosed three years ago, I wear splints on my arms as my wrists are bad, my fingers are bent and arched at the ends, my elbows are swollen and painful, my neck hurts and gives my migraines, my knees are the worst, they hurt badly, and are constantly swollen, my ankles hurt like mad, and my toes dislocate all the time. I had psoriassis 4 years ago, head to toes after a family upset, and after a lot of steroids got rid of that only to be left with psoriatic arthritis. I am now registered disabled and take so many drugs you wouldn't believe. Have you been given any drugs? What do you take? Can you still work? What hurts you the most? I have been to the docs this morning and received a systemic steroid jab, as i have had a pretty grotty weekend and my knees are terrible. Do you find certain days are better than others? Have you been seen by a Rheumatologist? If I can help with any more advice - post another message.

Regards Ronnie:wave:

Dear Istone,

Three years ago, I was referred to a rheumatologist because my knees were hurting badly and very swollen. My ankles and toes were the same. Blood tests for R.A. came back negative, but because of the shape of my fingers and the fact that several joints were affected, and the fact that I had spent two years getting psoriassis to abate on my skin (I had it everywhere) he diagnosed psoriatic arthritis. This usually flares up once the skin problems disappear. At the moment I am on Steroids and Leflunomide (DMARD) and Propanolol to help with the terrible migraines. My wrists are in splints and I am now registered disabled because of my poorly feet. Psoriatic Arthritis does not show up on blood tests the same as Rheumatoid Arthritis, but they usually can see from your joints what sort you have. Are you on any drugs for your problem at the moment? Are your fingers swollen at the tips? Do your toes dislocate and hurt? If I can help any more please ask.

Ronnie :wave:

Dear Istone

Yes I had psoriassis before the arthritis started. I now take Leflunomide which is a DMARD Disease Modifying Drug, and I am on Steroids. I have blood tests every two weeks and the drugs have a lot of side effects. I have lost my hair, but it has grown back, I have gained two stone in weight, which is extremely hard to lose on steroids, I feel sick a lot, and I have diarrhorea every day. These drugs are to slowly try to bring the arthritis under control. What do you take? How long have you felt like that?

Ronnie :wave: