Hello to all of you fellow sufferers, it,s been a long time since I,ve been active. I have seen a Rhuemy on 2 occasions as I was exhibiting a fiery big toe and foot. Oh my gosh, such pain. I made the mistake of telling him that I thought I had Psa. He quickly informed me that he was the expert! Hmmm. He told me he would see me in 3 months unless I had another flare up. I have all of the classic signs of Psa, the nail pits, neg. ra test and so on. He thinks it is gout, imagine that! Well, I am so flared up on the same foot and toe that I couldn’t,t get to him today. I had made another appt.with another Rhuemy before I saw him the first time becauseof the long wait to see her.
Please say a prayer that this lady will listen to me. My precious husband has made an unbelievable notebook with dates, pictures, x-rays and blood test results for US to take to her. I feel that if I had waited to show that 1st Rhuemy more, that is what he said! He wanted to see More! That I would wind up crippled.
Each of you have been in my thoughts and prayers and thanks to all for the possutive remarks. I’ve been reading this sight for months.
A lot of people ( me included) start out with a swollen big toe as one of thier first symptoms of Psa. I also had minor Psoriasis under my nails before my toe started to swell. I don't and never have had psoriasis anywhere else.
Combined with the other symptoms you mentioned, Psa seems like a no-brainer!
As far as Gout...it's so easy to test for...when uric acid levels in the blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints . A simple fluid sample to test for uric acid crystals is the best way to test for gout. Your doctor can also do a blood test to measure the amount of uric acid in your blood.
Also, men are more likely to get gout over women who are premenopausal.
Hopefully you find a good Dr and they push straight for a Biological drug like Enbrel/Humira...
When I was first experiencing pain in my feet the first dr I saw assumed I had gout and put me on Prednisone...
Long story short, The Prednisone stopped the flare but, did nothing for my Psa or P under my nails. A year later I saw a rheumatologist whom instantly put me on Enbrel. Since Psa was not as routinely diagnosed back then, I feel like I was very lucky to find him. I think going on a biological drug should be standard procedure.
When I was first experiencing pain in my feet the first dr I saw assumed I had gout and put me on Prednisone...
Long story short, The Prednisone stopped the flare but, did nothing for my Psa or P under my nails. A year later I saw a rheumatologist whom instantly put me on Enbrel. Since Psa was not as routinely diagnosed back then, I feel like I was very lucky to find him. I think going on a biological drug should be standard procedure.
Hi Robert. Well, my uric acid levels are normal always have been through checks. You really were lucky to find a Dr that saw the importance of quick treatment to prevent more permanent damage. I went to the appt. with new Doc yesterday, back on prednisone and feeling better. My husband had to roll me into office in a stupid wheelchair and I’ m walking today! Just another delay. She said I could have all these signs and still may not have Psa or I could have Psa and gout or a whole bunch of combinations of arthritis .
I also have Angeo Edema, it is also an auto immune disease. I read where this guy had Some type of autoimmune disease and Ae. Well they put him on Enbrall and it stopped both! So far I can’ t get anybody to even give it a chance!
The appt. was more of the same. You know, more prednisone. Still trying to figure it out as seems to be the MO of these Docs.
I was rolled in wheelchair because I couldn’t walk because of the pain. Somehow that has burned a vision into my mind that just hurts really bad.
Thank you for your note.
I don’t know how to get rid of all this goble-de-goop following this message. Seems I 'm not getting around on this site any better than I am in my house! Lol.
I hope you are doing well today.
Thanks again, Golfette…hmmmm I think I may need to change that silly name.
Golfette said:
Frances said:
Golfette,
Hope you appointment went well today - keep us informed.
Hi Golfette, Yes, appointments can be frustrating and disappointing. I hope your rheumy was able to help some. I'm so sorry you in so much pain. I hope you find relief soon.
Golfette said:
Hey Frances,
The appt. was more of the same. You know, more prednisone. Still trying to figure it out as seems to be the MO of these Docs.
I was rolled in wheelchair because I couldn't walk because of the pain. Somehow that has burned a vision into my mind that just hurts really bad.
Thank you for your note.
I don't know how to get rid of all this goble-de-goop following this message. Seems I 'm not getting around on this site any better than I am in my house! Lol.
I hope you are doing well today.
Thanks again, Golfette....hmmmm I think I may need to change that silly name.
Golfette said:
Frances said:
Golfette,
Hope you appointment went well today - keep us informed.
I went to an orthopedic surgeon with a swollen knee. the surgeon drew of the fluid and sent it to a lab for analysis. From the lab, he concluded that it wasn't gout, there were no uric acid cyrstals. He also sent the fluid to a rheumatologist easily concluded that I have inlammatory arthritis based on the immune cell count in the fluid.
So I was never treated for gout and I went on Enbrel very soon after seeing the rheumatologist.
Maybe you don't have anything big enough to get fluid from, but if you do, maybe an ortho can help you.