Appointment today and worried

Posted Mon 30 Jan 2023 10.20 by Kvec1507

Morning all I'm new here but have been diagnosed with psa for about 3 years although been suffering for many more than that. My history is started on sulphasalazine and stopped due to headaches. Moved on to methotrexate tablets but switched over to injectables which were then stopped due to nausea. Then started on hyrimoz which has been fine but not made much difference. Have recently started methotrexate injections again and it really helps my psoriasis but not my joint pain. My bloods always show a raised esr. My worries today are... I have a review with rheum today and last time I saw her she sent me for ultrasounds on joints and said if it doesn't show inflammation she will diagnose me with fibromyalgia. I don't agree with this and am scared because there doesn't then seem to be much help. If it's fibro then why would my esr be raised and occasional crp. I just don't want to be discharged from her and I want to stay on methotrexate for my psoriasis. I feel like she's just giving up on me and I don't understand how my ultrasounds showed nothing when I am in so much pain all the time. How should I approach today's appointment? Is there anything else I should be asking for?

Posted Fri 3 Feb 2023 18.23 by Hooverfish
Psoriatic arthritis but no psoriasis. Have had it for probably 25 years, diagnosed last year. On the "drugs might work" trek.

Fibro - altered pain levels at the enthesis (connection between bone and tendon). PsA - altered inflammation levels showing damage or swelling at the enthesis. These require different drugs but "feel" the same. Obviously, I'm not a health professional and you should get advice from one, but why doesn't the rheum think you might have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis as you do have esr and crp changes? Do you have no joint swellings? Are any of your finger or toe joints involved? Have you ever had dactylitis (sausage-like swelling of fingers or toes)? There is likely to be a good reason why you're being pushed towards fibro, as the rheum knows the difference, but that reason isn't yet clear to you? Best wishes

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