Psoriatic arthritis is getting undiagnosed

[Turnedlight]

The bad thing is, my derm didn't try and refer me to a rheumy, my doctor did, but for some reason it has failed.

[Caroline]

A Dermotologist cannot ethically treat PsA. Unless it's completely obvious, they probably will not forward to a Rheumotologist.

The bad thing is, my derm didn't try and refer me to a rheumy, my doctor did, but for some reason it has failed.

The problem is that a rheumatologist does not come further than the diagnose. Just like psoriasis, PsA is an autoimmune disease so has to be treated by a doctor specialised in the immune system. Those doctors, we call them internists, are not accepted by the insurance for this treatments, because on the one side the insurance is too stupid to detect this and on the other side a dermatologist looses a patient so looses income.

At least, deduction leads me to this conclusion over here in the Netherlands.

I have been sent directly to the Reumatologist by my GP doctor. But this did not help, the rheumy did not know how to treat, he just used the standard medication for rheuma, MTX.
Just until I met an internist things started to go the right way.

[Quest4Cure]

Caroline,

Wow what a complicated mess. That is the usual in the US too! Sometimes one goes round & round before they get the correct diagnosis . It's very frustrating to say the least!

Glad you finally found proper treatment... 15 years ago my internet told me I had severe arthritis and there was nothing he could do ... Wow how things have changed. With Better research & medical advances comes better treatment. Not necessairily in that order.

Hope you are doing well!

[mataribot]

Most medication for psoriasis treats PsA as well. For mild cases of arthritis there is no need to refer to Rheumotolgoy. If the arthritis is moderate it's time to refere to Rheumatology. My only beef with this is the fact that the doctor never tells you anything.

[Kat]

After being diagnosed with psoriasis, my primary physician sent me to a rheumatologist to check for PsA, especially since I already was diagnosed with arthritis. He said no PsA at this time but would like to check me yearly as he said it could easily change.

I'm thankful for such a good primary care physician and although he is annoying at time with all the tests, he really does a good job at following through and trying to catch things early rather than later.