Question about psoriatic arthritis

[HenryB]

I have a question regarding Psoriatic arthritis.

I have had this really annoying pain in my left elbow and shoulder for quite some time now. Up to such a point where I can not lift my elbow above my shoulder and even just picking up a laptop is very difficult. Seems like I have lost all power in my left arm. My GP said it was Tennis Elbow and just gave me a few anti-inflammatory painkillers for it. He has prescribed this now three times over the past year and a half. I did not think tennis-elbow can last that long??? Could it be that I have got Psoriatic arthritis as well?

[jiml]

I think the only way to find out for sure is to get yourself refered to a dermatologist as we have said with the psoriasis he may run some tests to determine if it is PsA.
But it's very difficult to say but it's certainly a possibility and the sooner it is treated, the less damage your joints will sustain
It is only my opinion I'm sure others may have other ideas

[Fred]

I have a question regarding Psoriatic arthritis.

I have had this really annoying pain in my left elbow and shoulder for quite some time now. Up to such a point where I can not lift my elbow above my shoulder and even just picking up a laptop is very difficult. Seems like I have lost all power in my left arm. My GP said it was Tennis Elbow and just gave me a few anti-inflammatory painkillers for it. He has prescribed this now three times over the past year and a half. I did not think tennis-elbow can last that long??? Could it be that I have got Psoriatic arthritis as well?

Henry I moved this post to it's own thread here as it will get noticed better.  

Re your question: It's could be psoriatic arthritis, are your finger/toe nails pitted or coming away from the bed? This is a classic sign of psoriatic arthritis. Mine used to have loads of little tiny holes in them and sometimes they would almost completely come away from the nail bed.

Do you have any fingers/toes inflamed and a red in colour, if you do and you squeeze it does it hurt like hell? That's another classic symptom, my toes used to go like huge radishes and just the slightest touch was enough to make me shout the roof down.

Are your finger/toe nails hard and brittle? that can sometimes point to it, though not always as reliable a sign

I don't know anything about tennis elbow, but I thought it was just that and it was in your elbow not the shoulder too. But anyway there is only one way to be sure mate and that is to go and see that dermatologist, they will know immediately if you have psoriatic arthritis or not.    

[HenryB]

Yes my nails are pitted both on fingers and toes. Also the nails are coming away from the bed.
Some yesses to your other questions but those symptoms come and go and usually do not stay for long.
I think I need to have a long and serious talk to the Dermatologist once I can get a referral to one.
Lots of info here that I want to discuss with him/her.

[Fred]

Yes my nails are pitted both on fingers and toes. Also the nails are coming away from the bed.
Some yesses to your other questions but those symptoms come and go and usually do not stay for long.
I think I need to have a long and serious talk to the Dermatologist once I can get a referral to one.
Lots of info here that I want to discuss with him/her.

Yep it does sound a bit like it, and it can come and go in the early stages. So push for a dermatology appointment and get it confirmed.

Also have a read of this post it may help: Psoriatic Arthritis

[soosieb99]

Hi
Must be something in the air I think!
I have been suffering with tennis elbow for the past few weeks. I have had physio, done exercises, had acupuncture and been taking ibuprofen. Nothing works. So yesterday I went to the doctors and had a cortisone injection. Not the most pleasant and definitely the most painful thing I have had in a long time. The pain afterwards was a bit like toothache and I couldn't get comfortable. This is in my left arm and I am left handed. Horrendous. However, today is another day. Today I am still aware of it but it is livable with.

I too was worried that it may be arthritis. My doctor is great and she knows me quite well. She said not. I have a few hurty joints but that she thinks is osteo arthritis rather than psoriatic. In other words - I am getting old! Which amused my other half no end (even though he is 6 months older than me!!)

So Henry you can take your pick. I don't know if the above helps at all. But it is easy to jump to the wrong conclusion when you are focussed on another condition. But I am not a medical person and can only give you my own opinion.

SB

[dave]

hi, Henry

early onset of pa is hard even for the prof/rhuemie's/immunologists to diagnose

? so what blood tests as your gp run so far in the last yr

i have a very long list of p/pa linked diseases, in my early yrs even a rheumy said it was growing pains/frozen shoulder etc
got a def pa diagnoses aged 19 eons ago

have a search for moll and wright criteria & casper criteria etc

my grandson went to see a rheumy last tuesday his symtoms fit fibromayalgia to a T
the rheumy said he does not regonise fibro , and diagnosed growing pains

i allways ask my gp's how long their treatment regime/plan is going to last before a referal is made