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Could it be psoriasis?

Posted , 5 users are following.

elbmow
elbmow

Hi. Been trying to get to the cause of joint pain for a year. I now have severe pain right at the base of my spine that is worse when I lie down (usually wake around 4am from pain) and sit for a long time - plus shoulder pain/stiffness.

The pain in my spine sometimes radiates to buttocks and hip. Also have migratory joint pain in wrists, fingers and elbows. My rheumatologist is convinced all my symptoms are caused by low vitamin D (my level is very low, other blood tests negative), but I just feel the pain is too specific and targeted.

I have had a few mild scaly skin patches on my upper arms and have been getting small oval-shaped flaky patches of dry skin on my back for a while. When the flaky patches go away they leave behind darker skin. The result is that my back is now covered in these tiny brown-ish patches. I'm attaching a picture of the marks on my back and of one outbreak that was on my upper arm. So... does this look like it could be psoriasis to you? I am completely open-minded and realise it may not be. I'm just desperate for a second opinion. Thank you.

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • hasan16057
    hasan16057 elbmow

    Posted

    Hi it does not sound like psorias as normally will first show up on joints elbow or knee .
    • robert271163
      robert271163 hasan16057

      Posted

      not always the case it can appear any where on the body mine started on my legs first 
    • Carolb13
      Carolb13 robert271163

      Posted

      I agree Robert I only have it on my scalp and on the back of my neck, well up to now, but it sure looks like psorisis from your photos though
    • elbmow
      elbmow Carolb13

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. I just can't work out what's going on with my back at all. It still looks exactly the same since I first noticed it three months ago. No worse, no better. I have no idea how long it's been like that either. I don't really want to go to my GP and say "I have these weird things on my back but they don't really cause me any problems at all".

      For at least two years I have had severe itching in a couple of classic "psoriasis" areas but no sign of actual psoriasis. Itching at the back of my scalp drives me mad but as far as I can tell it looks totally normal.

      I also had, for the last year, severe genital itching and pinkness that I assumed was thrush. I bought every thrush treatment under the sun and nothing worked. It only seemed to clear up after I was given a steroid shot in January. It's now started to return. Joy.

      I feel better generally after a few months on the vitamin D but my joint pains are as bad as ever. Right now my elbow is really stiff and I have pain across the ball of my foot and the tops of all the toes. It's horrible.

      I don't really have an opinion about what's wrong. It's not like I'm convinced it's psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis or whatever, but I'm not convinced it should be ruled out either. I see my rheumatologist soon but I know how it will go - she won't listen and I'll just have more frustration and anger to add to my other problems.

    • Carolb13
      Carolb13 elbmow

      Posted

      Bless you elbmow, you are really going through it, and you have my upmost sympathy, it's horrible at the best ot times but to have it has bad as yourself must be absolutely horrendous, but it really does sound like you have both, but your rheumatologist will be able to put your mind at rest though, at least they do lots of different tests to find out which would be the right treatment to ease your pain, I hope you get it sorted out real soon x
    • elbmow
      elbmow Carolb13

      Posted

      Thank you. That does not sound like my rheumatologist though.
    • Carolb13
      Carolb13 elbmow

      Posted

      Am so sorry to hear that sad I really hope they will be able help you though
  • robert271163
    robert271163 elbmow

    Posted

    Hi it could be Psoratic Arthritis the are some cases where the person does not have Psoriasis,but have Psoratic Arthritis so i have read, I am lucky to have both, but it still took them 2 years to diagnose my condition as my doctors didnt connect my psoriasis with the pain until i saw a specialist who diagnosed it within minutes. I would ask for a second opinion myself. There are other conditions that could also fit into your symptoms. 
  • stephen54311
    stephen54311 elbmow

    Posted

    I second Robert mine is in my nails my rumatolagist checked all over to see

  • Lisa_Batts
    Lisa_Batts elbmow

    Posted

    I'm with Robert and Stephen. I was diagnosed with psoriasis under the fingernails and only 4 years later did they connect it with PSA.

    I've also suffered from Vit D Deficiency (I assume they have whacked you on some heavy Vit D source with a view to reducing?) and yes it can make joint pain worse etc but the joint pain has got to be there in the beginning to affect it (if that makes sense). I would definitely go back to your rheumatologist to get this looked at again

    Lisa 😊

    • elbmow
      elbmow Lisa_Batts

      Posted

      Thanks Lisa. I am reading so much conflicting information on this. I have been put on 60,000 IU Vit D3 a week for 10 weeks and then I go back to the rheumatologist. 

      I've had the joint pain symptoms for more than a year and within the last year I've had two bone profile tests which were completely normal. Calcium and phosphate levels were totally normal.

      I don't have much faith in my current rheumatologist. First visit she blamed my symptoms on carpal tunnel and flat feet. It was a different doctor who ordered the Vitamin D test and discussed possibility of psoriasis. Now I've been sent back to the original rheumatologist who now blames Vitamin D deficiency, and I feel like she has set my treatment back by months.

    • Lisa_Batts
      Lisa_Batts elbmow

      Posted

      Firstly sorry for the delay. MTX has made me nauseous all week (which is unusual) and screenwork is like sea sickness! 😟😟 Enough of me!

      Again I'm with Robert. If you can get another rheumatologist I would but let's work with what you've got. Ok. You have a Rheumy and have all the classic symptoms of arthritis yet that's not been your diagnosis? Psoriatic arthritis is difficult to diagnose because as we've mentioned some of us just have it under the fingernails. However whether it is psoriatic (which from the pictures and description you give it sounds highly probable to me) or not you are quite right. You need to get to the root of the joint pain. Lack of Vit D can accelerate joint pain (please remember I'm not a doctor I'm just going with what I've learned 😊) I think the joint pain has to already be there for lack of Vit D to make it so much worse. I was put on 60,000 also (for a week I think) and now on 1x20,000 per week. If your bone profile is showing as normal and your whack of Vit D has gone back up again and you still have this joint pain you need to go kick some butt! Unfortunately one of the things I have learned with this illness is how proactive you have to be to get anything done. You should not be 'fobbed off' and sent out with debilitating joint pain without them getting to the root of it. It's neglect of patient care to not have eliminated every possible option. You should at the least be on some kind of treatment to help with the joint pain whilst they are investigating further. Sure 'flat feet' can exaggerate back pain etc because you overcompensate when you walk but what that has to do with wrist, elbow and finger joint pain is beyond me.

      I do apologise if I'm not making sense 🙈🙈 I am now currently on morphine 😜😜 but what I'm trying to get across is this needs further investigation, some sort of help with the joint pain and it can't be Vit d deficiency alone that has caused this. Take pictures (lots of however small) of your scaly/red or itchy patches and go back. Ask them not what they think it is but to rule out psoriatic arthritis may be an approach. I certainly think you warrant an urgent appointment (hassle the secretaries for cancellations, speak with your doctor etc) to get you some help.

      Sorry so long winded. I just feel so awful for you that you are suffering like this.

      I hope this has helped rather than given you a headache 🙈😊

      Bless you. I hope you find some answers and quickly

      Lisa

    • elbmow
      elbmow Lisa_Batts

      Posted

      Thank you. Sorry you're having such a hard time too. I feel like I want to go back to the beginning with my GP and start all over again as I'm being steered down an odd path... I don't think that's an option though.
    • Lisa_Batts
      Lisa_Batts elbmow

      Posted

      Thank you. My hard time is actually due to an ankle trauma which was ignored. Touch wood my PSA is currently doing ok 😊😊

      I know that feeling wanting to start over but you will go right back to the beginning of the waiting list and then probably end up where you are anyway.

      Once you have your foot in the door of Rheumy's superglue it there and don't let go!!!!

      I do agree with Robert though and you have a right to ask for a different Rheumy but from the stage where you are at, not the very beginning

      Best of luck

      Lisa

      😊😊

  • robert271163
    robert271163 elbmow

    Posted

    if that is the case then i would as to see a different Rheumatologist on the grounds you have no confidence in her there must be more than one i guess. I have regular blood test because of the medication I am on and they can see the inflation markers in my bloods to how my arthritis is behaving, I know this works because when i was getting more pain when on  one medication the markers went through the roof when my body got used to that particular one and I was put on another inline with the med I was already on and the markers came down as the new med started working. It is important that they get the diagnoses right brfore too much damage is done because it can not be reversed once the damge is caused thats it, which I know from experience. I have Arthritis in my Fingers and knuckle joins Wrists toes and ankles some in my knees and in my back. It was a Foot specialist that spotted it in my ankle as soon as she saw it she told me what it was. I have custom insoles to ease the pain in my feet and ankles which I find has helped. 
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