Think I may have psoriatic arthritis, but gp no help
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi all, im new to here and hope for some help or advice.
I am 29 and had my first baby a year ago. Ive got an underactive thyroid which has been relatively stable until a few months after birth. It became extremely low and took gp a long time to realise that was the problem and increase my medication. At this time, among other symptoms I was in a lot of pain, my body and joints ached and I felt awful. I would have shooting pains in my knees and fingers.
My thyroid rectified itself after months of increased levothyroxine, however the pains would come and go. Through out this time I had elevated infection level in my bloods and last month my white blood cells were low.
Whats drew my attention to psoriatic arthritis is my flucuating knee and back pain. Sometimes at night my knee can feel warm and sore and at times shooting pains. I would sometimes feel my knee lock almost, be painful to bear weight on and nearly have to limp however with movement this improves. My back is always stiff sore, have been referred to physio now for this. Ive had really bad ongoing psoriasis on my scalp for maybe around 6-7yrs. No shampoos have ever helped and the itch flakiness and discomfort is really getting me down. Im tired constantly but im just told by my doc this is cause im a new mum who works full time. I dont think she takes my pains seriously and if I now mention the problems with my knee she'll just think im a hypochondriac again.
Does this sound likely to be psoriatic arthritis? How can I approach this with my gp? Thanks in advance
1 like, 16 replies
carole13351 hope84707
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CA-Lynn hope84707
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DEMAND that you see a rheumatologist immediately. If it is any form of autoimmune arthritis you MUST get REAL treatment [DMARDS drugs] immediately to prevent further, irreversible joint damage.
hope84707
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Im going to her constantly with pains and fatigue and the last time she spent 5mins saying how I would feel that way as im a busy working mum, I know I am but it also doesn't feel normal. im getting my bloods repeated for 4th time in couple of weeks to see if infection level comes down.
After reading up on things, other things make sense. Last year I had what I thought was a fungal infection on my big toe, the nail started came away, became hard, discoloured, developed a ridge across it. The skin around the nail now seems flakey. I have some pitted fingernails although theres only a few. I also had conjunctivitis last month and have problems with dry eye constantly. Im sick of feeling ill
nix68591 hope84707
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I think you need to take action. If you feel up to giving your GP another try go and see her and ask for a referral to a specialist as you are concerned with the pains being PsA. As the other posters have mentioned treatment is really needed if it is to prevent permanent damage. You can try NSAID for the pain because if it is inflamatory it will help.
Your toe issue does also sound like psoriasis. A lot of people mistake psoriasis on toes with fungal infections.
It's also not very common for the PsA to start in your back (mine did as well though) so that might also be why your GP is hesitant. Still not an excuses though. If you can't sort it out with your GP get a new one cause if you are diagnosed you will need a good team you can trust and not feel judged by. Not sure if you can just go and see a rheumatologist where you live but if you can make an appointment ASAP as they are normally booked up well in advance.
O and another thing...it seems like a lot of ladies on the support forum's arthritis got triggered either by pregnancy or menapause so that also seems in line with a lot of other people with the disease. I am not a doctor though so please do go get it checked out as it can be very serious.
Good luck! I hope you get a diagnosis or a cure for your pain and fatigue.
Cabernet61 hope84707
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So keep going back to the surgery until they refer you to a Rheumatologist. My GP has made so many mistakes with my health to the point where i lost my job after 15 yrs working for the NHS. My GP was treating me with ADs when i had Vit B12 deficiency, as my body cant absorb it, i have B12 injections now only because i listened to what my body was telling me to do and kept on pestering the GP until they found it. I feel so sorry for you, be strong, and get straight down to that surgery again!! xx
hope84707
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thought I would update yous. Seen a different doctor today, have been booked in for bloods next week and go back the week after for results
I deliberately didnt bring up psoriatic arthritis to see what she thought. She said because of my psoriasis she wanted to rule out rheumatoid arthritis first and then will probably refer me on to rheumatology once we get results. Im feeling pleased iwas took seriously.
Can any one tell me what will happen if referred to rheumatology? What will they do? Thanks for all your help x
CA-Lynn hope84707
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Furthermore, the more delays your GP puts in your path, the more opportunity your body has for destructive damage to the joints which cannot be reversed.
If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck.....it probably is.
I had scalp issues first. Then my knee locked up. I ran straight to a rheumatologist. Was quickly diagnosed with PsA just on the basis of the physical evidence. But of course, a GP would never have the knowledge or training to do that.
Demand the rheumatologist now. Be your own advocate and tell them to stop pussyfooting around. HOnestly, I wouldn't be pleased. I would be terribly annoyed that they're just giving me delayed, slow, minimal care.
The Rheumatologist, who is educated above and beyond a GP, will do a physical exam, order any specialized blood tests/diagnostics, perhaps x-rays, He'll give you something to start relieving the pain, if it's pronounced. [Don't try to be brave. If it hurts, tell him so.] He will decide, if not then, then on the next visit after he's reviewed any x-rays, what course of treatment will take place. Odds are it will be MTX [level 1]. Here's the thing: treatment for RA and PsA are identical. The MTX will clear up the scalp, too. You probably will see improvement within 3 weeks of starting MTX.
You want to be careful about pregnancies while on MTX.
Why not take the bull by the horns and call your GP and tell her you want an appointment with the rheumatologist now, that you've waited far too long.
Lynn
PS I was diagnosed with PsA and seronegative RA 20+ years ago.
Cabernet61 hope84707
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hope4cure hope84707
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sometimes a X-ray can show a injury could be responsible for causing the pain.
I too have had plaque and ppp , palmoplanter psoriasis since a child. Which has be a precursor to psoriatis arthritis.
Dont let the thought of what some one thinks ever interfere with UR ability to obtain medical help.
ur health comes first. Take care .
CA-Lynn hope4cure
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hope4cure CA-Lynn
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I know that, I did not say all who have P. Get PSA. I have had PSA 4 25 yrs. many in my family had only P. & some had both as in my case.
Sometimes things are assumed or misunderstood on posts. I am grateful u took the time to clarify my post.
Thankx
hope84707
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But to throw a spanner in the works ive discovered im pregnant, im about 8 weeks. This naturally restricts what pain relief I can take plus im not sure how its going to affect my rheumatology appointment when it comes about. Suppose it rules out any xrays.
Has any one experience of pregnancy and psoriatic arthritis?? Xx
mumma58 hope84707
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best advice would be to get a referral to see a rheumatologist
alot of these auto immune diseases closely linked!! keep us posted
all the very best!!!!!!!!
hope4cure hope84707
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kath37302 hope84707
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