Just wondering what tools people use to determine if a new pain is caused from PSA or just everyday aches and pains? I ask because I have developed a new pain on the side of my foot where it hurts to wear a shoe and is getting red. But however I dont think there is a joint in this given area.
Is leflunomide a biologic? I’ve had relief from a lot of pain, fatigue, stiffness and weakness since I started a biologic (enbrel). But, I do still get pain—and when I do, I sometimes worry that the PsA symptoms are breaking through. But usually my new pains are temporary and different from my typical PsA pain. I’m going to hope that the enbrel keeps working–most of the time. I don’t want to give up on enbrel. Tonight my feet are killing me (neuropathy) but I bet by tomorrow they won’t hurt. I have a painful finger, too. So, Idk what to tell you…could this just be ordinary osteo arthritis?
I have to admit, nowadays I perceive them differently (that doesn’t mean I’m right!).
For me, my PsA flares up and down - so if I get a new pain that’s only there for a few days and doesn’t come back for months, that ain’t it. Conversely, if I get one that’s constantly present at the same level, that’s not PsA either, and I ship myself off to the PT.
For me, I get as much pain in my tendons as joints, so location is a bit irrelevant - between joints AND tendons I’ve got pretty much every part of my body covered! (That spot on the outside of your foot has a few tendons).
Its always good to ask your Rheumy, but if he’s hard to get an appt with (mine is very) you could go to the PT and see what they think - personally I find not all of them ‘get’ the joint stuff, but most of them are very good at the soft tissue issues.
It's not always easy to tell, especially because psoriatic arthritis can affect soft tissue as well. However, what you describe here sounds like you might have a bunion (or bunionette if it's on the pinky side). A lot of people seem to wind up getting custom made orthotics from the podiatrist, and they can help with this as well. I have bunions hereditary in my family. . . . Even my 12 year old has them. They're not painful at this point, but have been at some points, and yes, if wearing shoes that are a bit narrow, it will be red and painful.
I normally give the new pain a week. If it tapers off or changes, I chalk it up to normal everyday pains. Though I have PsA pains that come and go. It just depends. There are some thing I thought were everyday that my Rhemy told me otherwise. With a big dose of "You should have told me about that!" Oh well.
For me I noticed there is different types of pain. First there is joint pain where the area become red and inflammed. Second there is tendon pain since PsA causes inflammation of the tendons ( aka tendonitis ), then third there are small random pains that come and go, mostly in my fingers since my hands are where I have the worse of the PsA.
That being said, there doesn't have the be a joint for you to have pain caused by PsA. That's one of the things that makes PsA so messed up and strange. Also a reason why friends and family often just don't get it.
Yes, and those joints, tendons or muscles that lock up and are painful to move for several seconds. I haven't had what I'd call PsA pain for 3.5 months since I started Enbrel until today. My hands were throbbing all day, "pain" I don't care to put up with. I'm hoping my going from two shots a week to one shot/week isn't going to allow for breakthrough symptoms.