Getting a diagnose

If your doctor looked at research on PsA he would know that knees are often affected. As are the tendons and ligaments around the knees. You have had psoriasis for many years and a family history of PsA. I have had similar pain for many years and it has been diagnosed as psoriatic arthritis. He needs to listen and take this seriously. Tina.

It's good to hear I'm not just over reacting. I obviously know it might not be psoriasis arthritis but the signs are There!! I'm seeing a different doctor on Monday so fingers crossed I'm taking seriously.

Good luck. GPs aren't always understanding but I think you've got a strong case.

I have recently been diagnosed, my pain inflammation and stiffness is in my hands and feet. I suspected it was PSA as I have worked within a rheumatology service in the past. unfortunately my GP would not refer me to rheumatology as my blood results were normal. I decided to pay for a private consultation to get some answers and he confirmed it was psoriatic arthritis. I have now been referred to rheumatology within the NHS.

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis but as someone with psoriasis I'm not convinced. Can anyone help? I have had psoriasis probably most of my life (I was told it was excema in childhood). About 2.5yrs ago (age 28) my knees began hurting - particularly when going up stairs or up steep hills. They also click and crunch a lot and they're very stiff - particularly if I'm sitting/laying down for a while. Sometimes it's one, sometimes it's the other and sometimes it's both at the same time. The issues haven't changed, so my doctor recently sent me for an x-ray - leading to him saying I had early stages of osteoarthritis. Since my knees have been hurting my psoriasis has flared up - especially on my neck and scalp and inside my ears but also between my fingers and on my elbows and knees. I have also had ridges in my fingernails all of my life which I have heard is another sign? Arthritis is in my family - my gran had severe rheumatoid arthritis and at least one of my uncles and aunts had a form of arthritis too - not sure what type. Is it likely that I'm just unlucky and have psoriasis and osteoarthritis? Or is it more likely I have psoriatic arthritis? If it's likely to be psoriatic, how can I go about adjusting my diagnosis? Thanks

Difficult isn't it. I started in exactly the same way. Knees crunching and cracking in my twenties and was told the same thing as you. The cartilage has completely gone now thanks to my symptoms being ignored for many years. I was sneered at by my GP and told that you had to have severe psoriasis to suffer from PsA but that isn't so. If I can research it why don't doctors take a look at the latest information? A bit late for me. My doctor has admitted that I have PsA but the only option now are knee replacements. I should get some evidence and return to your doctor with it and see if you can get further help. Tina

Thanks Tina. I'm so sorry to hear how you were treated too. It sounds really frustrating. I'll try and find some evidence. Although, it's really hard to work out whether it is PsA or another type of arthritis as they all seem fairly similar at the early stages. I'm just keen to know exactly which it is so I can get the right treatment as early as possible.

Yous all sound the exact same as Me!! Now my toes are swelling and somethings my fingers. I'm getting bloods taking on Wed and had an x-ray on my knees last week. The GP didn't fill our the form right so I was refused to have my feet and hands xrayed. My granda has just been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis as well now so it's in my family! GP said if result come back with no inflammation they will put it down to wear and tear. Also told her naproxen was making me feel sick and they weren't helping the pain so I was instead prescribed ibuprofen... sure you can all guess that doesn't help either!! Clearly not enough GPs read up on these things!

My suspicions that it's PsA could be right then! Good luck with your bloods. Ibropruphen isn't exactly treatment! I'm hoping for something to slow all this down. Let us know how you get on with yours x

Naproxen makes me feel sick too, and it does affect kidney function in some people. Hope you get the right treatment for you. What I can't understand is why people who suffer from PsA get such dismissive treatment when we live in pain and have such restrictions on our lives. Why can't they understand the repercussions of a lifestyle that inhibits normal activities and can cause depression. Surely that causes further costs to the .NHS long term?

Hi, I started with a swollen toe, dactylitis, and a rash, shortly after turning 26. Left it a few days and it worsened so I went to the local urgent care. They prescribed antibiotics, stating I had a blood infection and sent me away. 3 courses of antibiotics later, I finally got an appointment with my GP, only it was her trainee, not her. I told him about the now swollen toes as it had spread and that I thought my knee was swelling, he made a loop with his fingers around each knee, said I was imagining things and sent me away with a 4th course of antibiotics. Feeling fobbed off, I took to Dr Google, expecting the usual “you have cancer” or some other terrible diagnosis, but I stumbled across an arthritis site. It had a symptom checker on it and I filled in some boxes, and up popped psoriatic arthritis. Having had psoriasis for 3 years I read on and was able to tick off all but one of the symptoms they said related to the arthritis. Back to the GP, managed to see my usual one and I showed her the print out. She agreed I had too many of the symptoms for it to be a coincidence and sent me for blood tests which, when looked at by my Rheumatologist, confirmed psoriatic arthritis. Almost 2 years later, I’m about to start my 4th treatment plan as nothing has been satisfactually successful, but I highly recommend demanding a referral from your GP to a rheumatologist as they aren’t allowed to refuse your request. And don’t let them fob you off with antibiotics as if you have got psoriatic arthritis that’s the worst thing they could give you with it being an auto immune disease!