Well, it's been a long time ignoring it. I have an appointment with a Rheumatologist again a couple months from now, but was advised a good dermatologist is just as capable with PsA and I have an appointment with early next week. It was too late to get papers to me so I was simply asked to write down a brief history, complaints, etc to bring with me.
Since I just tried doing that, although somewhat guessing on frequency, I thought I would also post it here and ask if much, or any, seems to fit the experiences of others as things progressed. Also, no clue if this is even what the Dr. office meant when they asked for some additional info I should bring. I think I have also removed all personally identifying info.
I would appreciate any input in any way though. Here's what I have for the Dr, and I would guess is brief, lol:
Short History
Psoriasis first developed late 1985 (age 18), first diagnosed by Navy dermatologist by the following year. The skin condition peaked within a couple years, remained constant, and by around 2001 simply started to fade other than during flare-ups. More topical than I can’t count were tried, but since it seemed to fade I’ve used only Dovenex when it does show up.
Joint pains first noticed around 1993. Navy physical in 1997 noted “May have psoriatic arthritis”, but I never pursued any diagnosis.
Around 2003 after years of growing joint pain, and sudden shoulder pain, I was tested for RA factor (negative) and referred to a rheumatologist. At the time my shoulders were the largest complaint, and turned out to be impinged cuffs, so nothing else addressed and I again didn’t pursue it.
Current or recent
On a near continual basis something always hurts, although at only an irritating but tolerable level. Usually one or two joints and it moves around, probably about every 3-6 days. Might be right knee and left ankle, then the right elbow and left wrist. I can’t keep track of it.
Five to six nights, on about an every other month basis, hip and lower back pain while in bed. Almost always the left hip. Rolling over and sitting up becomes difficult, so I have to sort of roll myself out of bed.
Morning stiffness on the majority of days. Could be other areas in addition, but almost always lower back even if not otherwise bothering me as above. Bending over can be difficult, but loosens up after just an hour or so of moving around.
For 2-4 evenings, about monthly, neck stiffness and pain. Pain is directly in the back of the neck and radiates to my left shoulder, usually after sitting and watching TV or reading. This is always gone by morning other than maybe a tiny bit of lingering neck stiffness.
About 2-3 times a year I get what I’d call a flare-up. Increased random joint pain in general, but a lot of pain in most fingers and sometimes toes. Pain is primarily in the joint closest to the tip, but often feels to extend from the tip to beyond that joint and sometimes the entire hand. Left side is always worse than the right, hands always worse than feet, and left index finger almost always worse than anything.
Possibly Contributing
I have also been diagnosed with multiple foot conditions which could possibly be contributing to much of the foot, leg, or back pain, so just in case this is currently managed by Dr. xxxxx, xxxx Foot and Ankle. Pes Cavus, metatarsalgia, and IPK under 4th metatarsal on both feet.
Goals
My primary goal, IF it turns out to be psoriatic arthritis, is to slow or halt the progression. This comes ahead of any current pain relief which is a distant second in the long run. Controlling the skin condition will be a nice advantage as well, but since it has remained mostly under control for a few years now it is also secondary unless it flares up badly again.
