psoriatic arthritis - Arthritis Message Board

klayr · 06-20-2003, 02:58 AM

Does anyone know the symptoms for psoriatic arthritis? I've had psoriasis for years, but recently I went through chemotherapy. Now I can hardly stand the pain in my feet, knees, and hips. Are these areas that are generally affected by it? Thanks in advance.

Tracki · 06-21-2003, 01:56 PM

Hi there!

I'm 36 years and have had psoriasis since I was 7 and have just been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. It has started in my wrist and is quite mild but my rheumy seems in a hurry to start me on Methotrexate to stop it spreading and affect my wrist joint anymore.

There are four types of PA and from what I've learned from the internet it is quite common to start in wrist, feet, knees etc. One of the symptoms my doctor told me I had was pitted nails (which I seemed to start with when the PA started!)

Hope this helps a little - good luck!

Tracki

Dawnrise · 06-21-2003, 06:08 PM

I was diagnosed with PA in the early 80's. Mine started out in the knee and over the years has now affected my toes, feet, knees, wrists, elbows and fingers. It normally affects the small joints. I've been on different meds over the years including methotrexate. That was a god-send at the time. But over time my body starting getting immune to it. I didn't believe my rhumey was helping like I thought he should so I went to a different rhumey in a bigger city. She started me on Enbrel injections. And this seems to be working quite well.

klayr · 06-22-2003, 11:50 PM

Thanks so much for the responses. I'm going to ask my doctor about it. Do you see a dermatologist for it first and then see a rheumatologist? Someone told me that the skin guy has to say yes first. What a run-around!

Dawnrise · 06-23-2003, 02:52 AM

Not sure which order you go in but going to a dermatologist first would make sense. It would probably help the rheumatologist in his diagnosis.