I have mild PsA as well and it's very difficult to find other folks online that do in my experience.
I was diagnosed last year. PsA mostly bothers me in my SI joints, hip and jaw (feet but milder). I have no visible swelling just stiffness and pain, blood work and X-rays were good. I do not have any skin psoriasis but have nail pitting (and ridges) in my fingernails and have had that since probably childhood. I thought for the last year that I was misdiagnosed, well I know now that I wasn't as it's gotten slightly worse since this time last year. I only take Diclofenac as needed and have prednisone as needed (only took once). I do not like meds so take them very rarely I usually try to stick out the pain however now learning that that's not doing me any favors because it's not just pain meds it lowers the inflammation to protect my joints. The last year has been a learning process.
As some of you might remember I have a rather unique relationship with my rheumy (who sadly is moving the end of the month) since she, my daughter and couple other of their girl friends accidently started a 10 acre wild fire at slumber party at my house.
In any event I asked her about this. What she told me was this:
If your Rheumy says its mild find another IMMEDIATLY. There is nothing mild about this disease your symptoms may be mild at any given point but the disease is not. It will plod along for years destroying things in its path (remember PsA also gets organs, eyes, and endocrine system in addition to your joints) without you even knowing it. Early and aggressive treatment is necessary for ALL
There are three kinds of Rheumys Old, Middle aged and new, the most prevalent being old followed by new. There was a period of time where there was little going on in the field so it wasn't attracting new docs nor were the good fellowships and programs around. Docs became reheumys because it was the easiest program to get into (even easier than PCP) probably not the best docs Anyway the old rheumys can go wither way. The young rheumys are in pretty darn competitive field. Few them would label the disease mild, let alone tell their patients that
The mild label is coming from insurance companies and national healthcare boards not wanting to pay for treatment They have rules like SI involvement plus 5 other joints before biologicals are used. Like she said thats crap if your doc can't 5 involved joints, they aren't looking (She documented 23 on my left arm) Modern docs believe in early aggressive treatment to avoid serious and permanent damage. Few will give pain meds beyond short term. Rather they go hard at the sources of pain. (Becky only has one patient on a pain contract)
Seenies experience (read her blog) certainly confirms this.
So heres the deal, and you can take it to the bank (so to speak) Your symptoms may be mild at any given point and they should be thats what we pay the Rheumys $ 225.00 for a 15 minute appointment to accomplish. The disease is NEVER mild. Fire any Doc who tells you different. they are either on someone's payroll and muzzled or are ignorant.
Thank you tntlamb for taking the time to write that. I had never heard that before and gives me something to think about. Even more interesting that I have a pretty old Rheumy. Thank you again.
That's an interesting post, Lamb. Sounds like, based on past history, your rheumy owes you one! It gives me faith in the very young rheumy I have an appointment with in a couple of months, whether or not she has a background in accidental arson. What is the connection between PsA and endocrine system trouble? Many here, including me, have thyroid problems. Is there a link?
That's really interesting. With diabetes, there is also the problem of prednisone, which most of us take at least at times, having a bad effect on glucose levels.
I'm hyperthyroid, which does not seem to be connected to inflammaroty arthritis according to this article. Some of the worst joint pain I've had yet, though, was set off by PTU, one of the anti-thyroid drugs. It's all pretty darned complicated, no?
Hi and welcome. My PsA started in a similar way. One finger for a couple years was the only thing swelled up. I thought I had injured it. Then my entire hand started to hurt. I had no idea about PsA. The dermatologist never mentioned it and I really think they should inform people that this type of arthritis exists. I now have small flare ups of psoriasis. I started with scalp psoriasis and now small spots on other areas that seem to come and go.
I'm not sure if it's just me but it seems like the more I try to control the psoriasis, the worse the PsA gets. Maybe it's a coincidence. It's definitely spreading, in my foot too.
It's not fair we have to endure this. Most people really have no idea how bad it can be.
