GP thinks I've got psoriatic arthritis

Post your Psoriatic Arthritis related questions for our experts here.

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by Guest Posts on Tue Oct 08, 2019 9:35 am

GP thinks I've got psoriatic arthritis

I was diagnosed a few years ago with this complaint, which is mainly on my scalp, and after a very bad break-out earlier this year, I seem to have it under control, with the help of new meds. But in the past few months, (about5/6, but no more), I've been experiencing very bad pain in several joints, including in my fingers and wrist. My GP says he thinks it could be Psoriatric Arthritis, but I've never heard of it.( I hope I spelt that right) Can you tell me something more about it? I have an appointment with a Rheumatology Consultant in about 6 weeks, and am anxious about it.
Thanks Gini
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Arthritis Action
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by Arthritis Action on Tue Oct 08, 2019 10:05 pm

Re: GP thinks I've got psoriatic arthritis

Try not to worry. Psoriatic arthritis does happen in some people who have psoriasis but it usually causes joint swelling or tendon problems rather than just joint pains. Many GPs now refer people with psoriasis and joint pains to a rheumatologist assoon aspossible, to see if they might have psoriatic arthritis because there are some very effective treatments that can prevent joint damage and disability. The rheumatologist will take a history of your problems, will examine your joints and might arrange ultrasound or MRI scans as well as blood tests, especially if there is no swelling of your joints. If this turns out to be psoriatic arthritis,sometimes just joint injections can be effective and, or sometimes disease-modifying drugs that are also used for rheumatoid arthritis, including methotrexate may be needed. EIther way, your rheumatology team including doctors and rheumatology specialist nurses are there to help you and will explain more, so try not to worry and read as much as you can about the condition in advance so that you can ask all your questions and take control.

Dr Wendy Holden FRCP
Medical Advisor to Arthritis Action and Consultant Rheumatologist

Arthritis Action

56 Buckingham Gate
London SW1E 6AE

020 3871 7120
www.arthritisaction.org.uk

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Matthew Rogers
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by Matthew Rogers on Wed Oct 09, 2019 9:57 am

Re: GP thinks I've got psoriatic arthritis

Hi Gini,

Thank you for your post.

In answer to your question, psoriatic arthritis is a condition that sometimes affects people who have the skin condition psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis can cause affected joints to become inflamed (stiff, swollen and painful). It’s great that your doctor is testing for it because early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can really help to get the symptoms under control. You can find out more about the condition at: https://www.arthritisaction.org.uk/psoriatic-arthritis/ and https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-a ... arthritis/

When you see your Rheumatologist they may do some blood tests and will ask you some questions that will help them to confirm the diagnosis. Some of these questions are included on what is known as the Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST) questionnaire, and you might wish to complete this and take it to your appointment http://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.a ... e=document

Don’t forget, this is also your opportunity to ask them questions, and some people find it helpful to write down a couple of questions to take with them so that they don’t forget.

If it is arthritis, the medications are excellent these days, and you can also do a lot to manage your symptoms yourself. Find out more at https://www.iosteopathy.org/osteopathy- ... arthritis/

Best of luck,
Matthew Rogers
Head of Professional Development, the Institute of Osteopathy

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... rogers.php

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