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Joint pain

Posted , 4 users are following.

plooge
plooge

I've had psoriasis since I was in my late teens (I'm mid 40's now). It mainly affects my scalp but I do get the odd occasional patch on random parts of my body but fortunately it has always been mild and responds quite well to treatment.

Then, In my early 30's I was diagnosed with nail psoriasis. I had had problems for several years by this point, never knowing why my fingers were so sore and why the nails would detatch from the nail bed.  They are ridged and pitted.  It comes and goes and occasionally I will have a month or so where they look reasonably normal!

However, in the last 9 months I have noticed increasing amounts of joint pain.  It started with my right knee, then right hip and now right shoulder.  The hip pain has now gone, but I am left with knee and shoulder pain which hasn't responded so far to physio and I am using increasing amounts of ibuprofen, which doesn't give much relief.  The shoulder pain disturbs me at night.  About a year ago my right thumb swelled up at the joint closest to the nail and was really stiff, but I didn't pay much attention as it improved over a few days.  I am now wondering if this is all connected.  Does anyone else have a similar experience with symptoms?

My GP ordered blood tests and I was recently asked to repeat the FBC as on the first test my white blood cell count was raised. Could this be an indicator of Psoriatic arthritis? She said that if results were abnormal again, she would refer me to rheumatologist?

In the meantime, I was hoping some of you could share your experiences and offer some reassurance and/or advice. Thank you

2 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • sheila65847
    sheila65847 plooge

    Posted

    Hi Plooge,

    sounds like psoriatic arthritis to me, get a referral to a rheumatologist ASAP as the earlier it's treated the bette . Welcome to the forum.

  • EileenH
    EileenH plooge

    Posted

    As Sheila says - your GP should be referring you asap anyway. You have signs of inflammatory arthritis - and you have psoriasis, it's a no-brainer. 

    Whatever you may have heard about the medication, it's better for you long term than ibuprofen which is bad for stomachs, hearts and kidneys when used a lot.

  • plooge
    plooge

    Posted

    Thank you both for your input.  I will press for a referral to a Rheumatologist.  I guess up until very recently, I have never really considered that everything could be connected in some way and put it down to middle age aches and pains.  However, the more I read about PsA, the more it seems to piece everything together.  I shall let you know how I get on.
  • Zita2323
    Zita2323 plooge

    Posted

    Hi, I was reading your post and when I got to the part about your join pain, it was like I was reading my own symptoms. It really sounds like psoriatic arthritis. Get referred to a rheumatologist asap, and ask your GP for stronger pain relief, what you are taking won't touch the sides. Good luck!
  • plooge
    plooge

    Posted

    Hello Zita, thank you for your reply.  Did your joint pain come on gradually or was it sudden?  Mine has come on gradually but there is no obvious swelling (other than the one occasion with my thumb which I mentioned). I tried to do some gardening today which is something I have always enjoyed but gave up after 30 minutes as I was tired and sore.  
    • Zita2323
      Zita2323 plooge

      Posted

      It started with the odd pain here and there but I put it down to getting old, until one day I was almost paralysed with pain, a flare up! I too don't always get swelling, but like you my thumbs do and also my knee. I take co codamol for pain and it helps a bit. Look up my own post, there's good advice and reassurance from others.
    • Zita2323
      Zita2323 plooge

      Posted

      I feel for you, I used to change the bedding in all 3 beds without any problem, last weekend I after doing just my bed I felt exhausted. Fatigue is getting worse for me, it's been 4 weeks since I started treatment with methotrexate so it's still early days. One thing I have learned in this short period of time is not over doing it as it will come back to bite you, listen to your body. 
  • plooge
    plooge

    Posted

    Thank you Zita.  I have now read your story and can see that you've had a terrible time. I do hope that things improve for you. I shall update if/when I have any more news.
  • plooge
    plooge

    Posted

    A small update.  The 2nd FBC blood test came back as satisfactory and white blood cell count is reducing and the doc has not recalled me for any further tests.  However, I have still no improvement in the joint soreness so I have booked in to see the doc in a couple of weeks to request a referral to a Rheumatologist.  I wonder if I will have a battle on my hands as blood test has come back OK?  Is this common?  In the meantime I shall persevere with the strengthening exercises the physio gave me to do.

     

    • sheila65847
      sheila65847 plooge

      Posted

      Hi Plooge,

      I imagine that the blood test you had will rule out rheumatoid arthritis. There is no specific blood test for psoriatic arthritis so push for that referral. Sometimes people with RA also show a negative result (about 20%). This is classed as seronegative arthritis as is PsA. So insist on that referral to a rheumatologist - okay? Best wishes, Sheila.

    • Zita2323
      Zita2323 plooge

      Posted

      My first lot of bloods didn't show inflammation and according to my GP this can happen, no one really knows why, however the pain was getting worse. Further bloods have now shown very high inflammation. I know someone who took 3 years to get a diagnosis because blood tests were ok. I think you need to push for the referral. Hope you feel better soon, good luck.
  • plooge
    plooge

    Posted

    An update:  I went back to my GP today (diff GP to any I have seen before). as the joint pain hasn't improved, to request a referral to a rheumatologist.  She refused to refer me, saying that my symptoms appeared musculoskeletal rather than inflammatory and that I should continue with physio.  The only thing she was mildly interested in was the episode where my thumb joint had swollen and to come back if that, or any of my finger joints swell up.  She pretty much dismissed any connection with psoriasis.  I showed her my nails with the pitting and my nails detaching from the nail bed, but she said that just because I have nail psoriasis, doesn't automatically mean my joint pain is connected.  I feel pretty low now.  My pain isn't debilitating, but it is frustrating and I want to feel normal again!
    • EileenH
      EileenH plooge

      Posted

      Then go back and see another GP and insist on being referred. If they still refuse - see the practice manager. If they won't help - find another practice.

      I've already said it once today - a GP is a generalist, the name says it all. My symptoms were apparently "musculoskeletal" - but the specialist I see is in rheumatolology. It is perfectly possible to have some form of arthritis or vasculitis that would cause those symptoms without any blood results being abnormal. I do wish doctors would treat the patient and their symptoms and not the lab results!

      Oh - and take someone with you who will vouch for the pain you are in and the other symptoms that have appeared. It isn't right - but it does seem to concentrate their minds sometimes. 

  • sheila65847
    sheila65847 plooge

    Posted

    Sorry to hear your disappointing news. Get right back on the phone, make another appointment to see your GP and keep asking for a referral to a rheumatologist. I realise you are feeling low but you must find the strength somewhere within yourself.
  • Zita2323
    Zita2323 plooge

    Posted

    So sorry to hear you are still suffering and not getting the support you need. Sounds like you have a fight on your hands, like others said go back and see a different GP and keep pushing for a refferal. Good luck and keep us posted.
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