Is this psoriatic arthritis?

[Turnedlight]

A while back my derm diagnosed psoriatic arthritis because I'd had plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis problems, plus carpal tunnel.

I thought these things might be related to my psoriasis but when I read up on p a it doesn't describe my symptoms, they always talk about painful joints and swollen joints.

I'm wondering again about it because recently I've had a bad left shoulder and elbow, left hip and basically feel like I've overdone it in the gym (lol, not likely!) but it's not really my joints, it feels like stretched muscles or ligaments. Finding it hard to find a comfortable position to sleep..

What do you guys think?

Perhaps the Stelara will help..

[Bill]

A lot of the pain from arthritis comes from the surrounding muscles and tendons. This is why exercise to strengthen these structures can help reduce the pain.

Cheers,

Bill

[Caroline]

I agree with Bill.

What I can add to it is that I have read some research that suggests that an early sign of PsA may be pain in your tendons.

I can add my personal experience to that. I used to be a long distance runner in my younger days, and I did have problems with my Achilles' tendon which went up and down. At that time I thought it was because of too much running, so being overtrained. Later on I realised myself that these pains may have been the first signs of the approaching PsA.

And again I agree with Bill, doing exercises is the best way to deal with this. Keep the tendons well blood by warming them by means of exercise. But don't overdo it and choose a sports that does not put a heavy burden on your tendons, muscles and joints. In that sense cycling and light exercises with your arms and light weights are excellent.
That is why I am doing spinning, which has the advantage that you will get nicely warm and well blood.

[D Foster]

Hi TL PsA is difficult to diagnose from other types of arthritis however I believe that carpal tunnel can be an indicator and I agree with Bill and Caroline pain in the tendons can be an indication as well. The cold weather does not help at all so maybe when the weather warms up a little you may find that you will improve , Stelara I have found ,at least for me, only makes a marginal difference to my PsA but has been fantastic for my P , I am losing ground now and the new one that Fred has started taking would appear to be much better for both P and PsA.
Keep warm and gentle exercise is a good idea.
Dave

[Fred]

It could be, I have felt it in my tendons but for me it's always worse around the bones mainly the joints. Red inflammation tend to pop up when mine is bad especially the toes and fingers which will get very painful and locked up. Exercising them does help, but not easy when the feet are to painful.

Stelara can and did help me, but now since going onto Cosentyx the psoriatic arthritis is almost wiped it out as is the psoriasis. So if you are thinking of going onto Stelara and your dermatologist has confirmed you do indeed have psoriatic arthritis I would ask about the possibility of fast tracking to Cosentyx.

[Turnedlight]

I saw them only recently but I don't really get asked about the psa and I hadn't correlated all these aches and pains with it, so I missed the opportunity to say anything but I will next time.
When I was on Humira, although it did nothing for my skin I feel really good, just generally, and looking back maybe that was it working on my joints! I think I don't make the link because whenever I think of arthritis I think of lumpy knuckles etc.
I will take on board the excercise advice - I used to do a class my friend ran which was probably ideal but sadly she stopped and I am too lazy to do that kind of thing without my friend pushing me lol

[Fred]

I saw them only recently but I don't really get asked about the psa and I hadn't correlated all these aches and pains with it, so I missed the opportunity to say anything but I will next time.
When I was on Humira, although it did nothing for my skin I feel really good, just generally, and looking back maybe that was it working on my joints! I think I don't make the link because whenever I think of arthritis I think of lumpy knuckles etc.
I will take on board the excercise advice - I used to do a class my friend ran which was probably ideal but sadly she stopped and I am too lazy to do that kind of thing without my friend pushing me lol  

Yes Humira helped psoriatic arthritis better than Stelara for me, but I ended up in hospital after a reaction and had to come off it.

[jiml]

I can't help much TL but have recently got the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, after a few years of muscular pain and finally a couple of swollen joints in my fingers, I'm sure my current medication has held it back for a few years, a bit like Humira did for you,

[mataribot]

Not going to get in the argument that tendon issues are related to psoriasis or only related to PsA. However, tendon issues in ankle are typically related to back disease. TNFs do help with that, so not surprising you felt better.

[Caroline]

Not going to get in the argument that tendon issues are related to psoriasis or only related to PsA. However, tendon issues in ankle are typically related to back disease. TNFs do help with that, so not surprising  you felt better.

Matari,
What is back disease? I assume it is not pain in your back. But I don't know that.