I have been recently diagnosed with PSA but in retrospective it might explained several episodes in the past. I am 57 now; about 4 years ago I did have plantar fascia for several months. Then I start suffering depm lower back pain that will not go away. 2 years ago, I start having inflamation of the tail bone (cocxydinia) and small red skin rashes. All of this were treated or attempted to treat separately. It is only in the paat 6 months that I start suffering from my fingers hearting and stiffed that I started connecting the dots with PSA. Additionally I am often tired, although I go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week. I recently start seeing a rhumatologist who confirmed my self diagnosis. I have been on otezla for about 6 weeks with no improvement. I understand thar I should wait for a 2 months horizon.
I want to thanks this site and members for the invaluable support and informations.
My first question to the group: any recommendation to aliviate the stiffness and pain in the fingers joint? Home remedies or besr practices?
Thanks all
Welcome Agro!
Your story is very familiar, especially the bit about 'joining the dots' just before or after diagnosis. It's really good that you've been started on 'aggressive' treatment, i.e. potentially the most effective treatment, right from the start. And clearly you enjoy exercise which can be so helpful, possibly essential for PsA.
I have tried hand exercises while on a patient education course but promptly forgot the precise movements .... basically they involved squeezing and rolling putty or something. Heat and / or cold packs can help with pain and stiffness. I guess I just flex my fingers if they stiffen up while I'm using my hands though they're not too bad. Others will have some more specific ideas I'm sure. And hopefully Otezla will kick in soon & bring relief.
So glad to hear you've found this site helpful already!
Hi Agro, parts of your story sound familiar. I had plantar fasciitis about 15 years before my diagnosis. But there wasn't as rapid progression of my disease as yours, because I was around 40 when I had the PF and wasn't diagnosed until my mid-50s. I remember having tailbone pain years and years ago and being embarrassed to tell my doctor as I was worried there was a cyst on it and didn't want to deal with that. After several weeks if pain, it vanished and never bothered me again. Hands, too, they were one of my unrelenting symptoms, fingers and knuckles always a little puffy and hot, and so stiff. The only way I could partially relieve the stiffness in them was to flex and stretch them frequently. Ugh. My fingers always felt "fizzy"--that's how I described it to my rheumy, who got a chuckle out of that! Like Sybil said, heat or ice packs can help. I use a heating pad and ice/cold packs on various places daily. If the Otezla doesn't work there are many other biologic options. I've been on Enbrel for 2 years now. It worked really well, although lately I don't feel good and not sure if Enbrel is losing its effectiveness or something else is going on. But, knowing Enbrel worked for me, I have confidence if it stops working, something else can work. Good luck!
Grandma J said:
Hi Agro, parts of your story sound familiar. I had plantar fasciitis about 15 years before my diagnosis. But there wasn't as rapid progression of my disease as yours, because I was around 40 when I had the PF and wasn't diagnosed until my mid-50s. I remember having tailbone pain years and years ago and being embarrassed to tell my doctor as I was worried there was a cyst on it and didn't want to deal with that. After several weeks if pain, it vanished and never bothered me again. Hands, too, they were one of my unrelenting symptoms, fingers and knuckles always a little puffy and hot, and so stiff. The only way I could partially relieve the stiffness in them was to flex and stretch them frequently. Ugh. My fingers always felt "fizzy"--that's how I described it to my rheumy, who got a chuckle out of that! Like Sybil said, heat or ice packs can help. I use a heating pad and ice/cold packs on various places daily. If the Otezla doesn't work there are many other biologic options. I've been on Enbrel for 2 years now. It worked really well, although lately I don't feel good and not sure if Enbrel is losing its effectiveness or something else is going on. But, knowing Enbrel worked for me, I have confidence if it stops working, something else can work. Good luck!
thanks a lot!
thanks a lot!
Sybil said:
Welcome Agro!
Your story is very familiar, especially the bit about 'joining the dots' just before or after diagnosis. It's really good that you've been started on 'aggressive' treatment, i.e. potentially the most effective treatment, right from the start. And clearly you enjoy exercise which can be so helpful, possibly essential for PsA.
I have tried hand exercises while on a patient education course but promptly forgot the precise movements .... basically they involved squeezing and rolling putty or something. Heat and / or cold packs can help with pain and stiffness. I guess I just flex my fingers if they stiffen up while I'm using my hands though they're not too bad. Others will have some more specific ideas I'm sure. And hopefully Otezla will kick in soon & bring relief.
So glad to hear you've found this site helpful already!
Welcome here, Agro! It's good to hear that the dots finally got connected: isn't it strange how before diagnosis, all of those symptoms get treated as independent problems, and then afterwards, they get connected as parts of the same picture. I experienced that as well.
I must contratulate you on your choice of rheumatologist: it sounds like s/he has you on the aggressive treatment fast track. We know that early and agressive treatment give the best prognosis.
We're glad that you found us, Agro, and we hope that you will be too.