Psoriatic Arthritis in the lumber region

[Grizzly Bear]

Since I wrote this thread a while back, I thought I'd post the following.

I've noticed that my my finger tips hurt like hell.

Simple things like opening a jam jar for an example, opening my medicine bottles, medicine trays etc are problematic some days.

My feet hurt but not as much as my fingers.

All my nails are pitted and have been since a few months back in 1990 after I was diagnosed with psoriasis.

My back / spine still hurt like hell.
Even though now I am on morphine, it still hurts.
Not sure if I should ask my GP or derm doc for tests ?
If they want me in an MRI scanner, they can kiss my botty, I hate MRI scanners.

Does anyone reading this crappy post have problems opening we will say, jam jars for example ?

[jiml]

No Andy I don't have those problems although I think I may be developing PsA in my feet and shoulders . Up to now my hands are unaffected
My nails are pitted and striated and one thunbnail is constantly split and has been for as long as I can remember
I'm seeing a rheumatologist later this month ... My dermatologist has referred me on..

You are waiting to start on Stelara I believe, when you get that into your system it should relieve your arthritic fingers I believe ... Others that are on it will know better than me

[Bill]

I'd second Jim. The pain is horrible enough, but the prospect of joint damage should have you asking for a consultation with a rheumatologist. Time is critical.

[Grizzly Bear]

Bless you chaps, thank you for that.

An odd thing i have noticed too, my finger joints can hurt every so often, it's like i have sprained or pulled a muscle in or around the joint of my fingers, even though i've done nothing to warrant it.

Another problem i have is a pain, a stabbing pain, a bit like a pin being pushed into my toes & feet. I get this constantly & it's doing my head in.

In fact, i'd say i'm falling apart

[Bill]

You have ruled out gout I take it? I used to get enlarged and painful joints, and movement became a bit limited, but I cannot remember having stabbing pains. I would also wake in pain after a couple of hours sleep and find rolling onto my side excruciating but necessary. Then I would have to roll back as my shoulders were painful when I lay on my side. The pain and swelling is all but gone, but I did suffer a bit of joint damage. That is a right bugger and is totally avoidable. Now if I can conduct my own treatment successfully, I am very sure that your dermatologist and rheumatologist can nut something out for you.

Dont muck about!

[Fred]

Yep I struggle like hell to open a Jam Jar, in fact I cant open most things with screw tops. I now have a thing that has different size holes that you slip over any jar or bottle and you don't need a lot of grip to open almost anything.

It could be psoriatic arthritis, they won't put you in the MRI to find out. Mention it to your dermatologist they can usually tell straight away if it is psoriatic arthritis.

Stelara isn't the best for psoriatic arthritis but it does help and now you are getting it I would wait and see. I've been  on it over 5 years and before then I couldn't even dress myself or cut up my food, but now all is good thanks to Stelara.

[D Foster]

Stelara helps a little for the psoriatic arthritis it's not as good by a long way to the MTX however it works for the P .
I have swollen fingers and toes with the dam thing and my shoulder, neck and back gives me problems plus I have problems with my legs and feet almost like pins and needles at night. My right knee has started now with swelling ,I think I am with you GB and dropping to bits. Without the Tramadol I would be a total wreck instead of a partial one.