What is psoriatic arthritis

[KatT]

Will do!  Have to dig it up again and do it from the computer, not my tablet ....

[glenda grant]

Good idea a separate thread for psoriatic arthritis although I only have it slightly but found this very informative
My diagnosis was about 18 months ago having suffered with psoriasis all my adult life eventually finding something to control it, but 18 months ago I noticed I was getting achy and some swelling in my finger joints
I should say now that I was taking fumaderm tablets for my psoriasis and had control for six years at the time of being diagnosed so when the rheumatologist wanted to put me on methotrexate I was somewhat disappointed especially when she wanted me off fumaderm
I asked if I could increase my fumaderm as I had a bad experience with methotrexate before
But she was adamant stop fumaderm and start methotrexate ....so I ignored the advice and asked my dermatologist if I could increase the dose of fumaderm as I had heard on this forum that dmf (fumaderm ) works on psoriatic arthritis
He agreed I could try it although it's not prescribed for arthritis (he humoured me ) and I increased to five tablets a day and the aching and swelling has pretty much gone
I'm still a bit stiff in the mornings but my life is pretty good and I'm still clear of psoriasis

ng to Dr's and having test being done! I have just found out i have type two Diabetes.I was on pills but she stopped that and put me on a small dose of insulin.The pill they had me on metformin it weakened my kidneys.Also was taken off one of my blood pressure meds.My psoriatic arthritis has been acting up i took my Skyrizi injection on Saturday! My insurance wanted a $3000 deductible so the company that makes it helped me i had forms to fill out an income form and we were way under the income so for one year I will get the injections every 12 weeks at a price of $20,000 for two shots.I did notice about the time was getting close to my shot time [i] was in alot of  pain hope the shot get in to my system,Will keep in touch with our group!

[jiml]

I'm sorry to hear that you've developed type 2 diabetes Glenda. I hope you can keep it under control. It sounds as if you have had a rough time lately.

Wow am I reading this right Glenda that you have to pay $20,000 for two shots of skyrizi?

I hope you get the arthritis and everything else under control soon

[KatT]

Hope you feel better soon Glenda!

I assume the diabetes is not controllable with diet?

[Spot On]

How do they tell if it is PsA and not other types of arthritis? What if you have osteoarthritis and PsA? Can they tell the difference?

[Caroline]

How do they tell if it is PsA and not other types of arthritis? What if you have osteoarthritis and PsA? Can they tell the difference?

That is going to be very difficult as there are no markers in the blood that can reveal Psoriatic Arthritis.
The only thing they can do is to do a puncture and get some inflammation fluid from the swollen joints. If you have Psoriatic Arthritis this contains pyruvate crystals, which can be seen under the microscope.
However hardly any rheumatologist knows this.

[Fred]

How do they tell if it is PsA and not other types of arthritis? What if you have osteoarthritis and PsA? Can they tell the difference?

I would say a good dermatologist / rheumatologist would be able to spot the difference.

Psoriatic arthritis causes swelling around the joints and can go red, my toes went like big radishes they call it "dactylitis" Also they can tell by looking at the nails, they will show signs of psoriatic arthritis. And with psoriatic arthritis it comes and goes, and can be in one joint today and a different one tomorrow.

Osteoarthritis on the other hand gradually gets worse and rarely goes down. It also doesn't show in the nails, or cause dactylitis.

Having said that I'm no expert and that is only my thoughts.

[Spot On]

My nails are all coming off. I have a few sore knuckles, sore back, sore feet, sore neck.

When I got the Pfizer covid vaccine a month ago my whole body got really stiff and achy, and my back was so sore it woke me up.

[jiml]

For me they did ultrasound on my feet and hands looking for swelling of the joints and that's how I was diagnosed
But how they differentiate between types of arthritis I don't know

[Bill]

<I have a few sore knuckles, sore back, sore feet, sore neck. >

That is very concerning and sounds like psa. I had it in my feet fingers shoulders hips neck and spine. Couldn't sleep for more than a few hours. Spent my nights alternating between sleeping on my back and side. All good now but I carry a legacy of damage and have limited movement of my neck. Procrastinating has consequences unfortunately.

Cheers