Psoriasis

eeloe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122508615#Comment_122508615

Shouldn't need to see the GP for a repeat script, just call the receptionist.

banie01

Hi Folks, seeking some input from people with more knowledge of psoriasis than myself.

I was 1st diagnosed with psoriasis approx 30yrs ago. Symptoms at the time were pretty much confined to fingernails, scaly elbows and scalp.

Over the past couple of years, my symptoms have gotten far worse. I regularly lose fingernails completely now, aswell as suffering from the fingernails growing into my proximal folds when they grow back. Which is best described as ingrown fingernails, and as painful as that sounds. On top of the nail issues, my hands are prone to very painful joints with discoloration and swelling on flare up.

I'm also getting issues at my elbows, knees and ankles that is almost like "tennis elbow" painful around the tendon connection points, sore to move and some loss of power during a flare up. But unlike with tennis elbow, it doesn't improve when you press the point of the elbow.

Those symptoms are now in combination with rash across eyebrow and mouth along with worsening scalp. The scalp is still fairly well managed with diprosalic.

My GP thinks that my psoriasis may have developed into Psoriatic Arthritis. I am awaiting an appointment with a Dermatologist (Booked when it was primarily nails & skin). Even privately the wait means I won't see them until probably March or so. Will they be an appropriate specialist to assess the joint/tendon issues as being psoriatic? Or should I also get a referral to a rheumatologist?

I'm stuck between a rock and hard place until I see a specialist as I can't take NSAID meds for at least relief of the joint/tendon inflammation. So I'm hoping that someone here can share some experience as to how similar or indeed dissimilar my symptoms are to their experience of psoriasis.

black & white

It sounds as if it could be PA, definitely worth getting a referral to a Rheum. My Psoriasis is fairly oK now thankfully but although I never had it on my mouth, used to get it in the eyebrows and forehead as well as the usual places mentioned here loads of times. Pain wise my elbows haven't been a problem yet, mainly wrists and ankles which I regularly get injected with steroids. Get some pain in knees, shoulder and one hip. My fingernails don't seem to be as bad as what you describe, the nails are very fragile and before I went on Anti TNF meds were very uneven/bumpy to look at.

brevity

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122725081#Comment_122725081

I first got Psoriasis about 20 years ago and was mostly prescribed creams and ointments. It wasn't until I went on Biologics that it got better. At a certain point, I developed Psoriatic Arthritis and I was given Rinvoq. It was great for both until it stopped working and then I was on others with varying degrees of success. There wasn't any one solution to both issues really. Either one was great for the skin or great for the joints but not both. I have been on a lot of Biologics.

I am currently on Taltz and Methotrexate although I have been very careless with taking Methotrexate and my joints are now quite sore. Especially my hands and hips, although I think the hips issue due to me sitting too much. Taltz has been amazing for my skin. The best in a very long time.

Message me if you would like to know anything about my experience.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122972513#Comment_122972513

Hi Brevity, thanks for the reply. Both the info and PM offer are very much appreciated.
I'm still waiting on an appointment with a dermatologist, and then it'll likely be sent to a rheumatologist anyway.
I've gotten on top of the skin issues for the time being, but joint issues are continuing to be a problem.
I can't complain about the pain too much as, to be honest, I'm on neuropathic and opioids for another issue and without that relief.
I'd probably have crumbled at this point.
I'm hoping to see the Derm early in 2025, and I will take you up on your offer with some questions then.

wonga77

What are the initial symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis or how would you go about being diagnosed?

brevity

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122993010#Comment_122993010

for me it started with the hands (they were aching and weak) and my dermatologist referred me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me.

Comer1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123004299#Comment_123004299

Are you getting any treatment, is it effective? I am on cosentyx for the past 6 months, my psoriasis is completely cleared but the inflamation and pain/weakness in four of my fingers (two on each hand) continues. I'm also recently getting a clicking when I bend two of the fingers now.

brevity

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123004576#Comment_123004576

I am on methotrexate but have been very careless with taking it.

For the psoriasis it’s Taltz and it’s great

I was on cosentyx but it didn’t really do much for me