?-Possible to have PA @ 19?

[ct69646]

I'm 19, almost 20, I have P and Scoliosis. Lately my joints in my hands have been hurting. The wedges in between my fingers are starting to dry up, peel, and get redness and scales. Inside I have pain in my joints. I was wondering if my scoliosis and P could be related and if what type of pain I'm having in my hands, P or PA?

[MikeK]

Hi ct69646,

Unfortunately, yes. Age is no barrier as to when a person can get PA. One of the saddest posts I've ever read was from a young mother ( it was posted on Mother's Day :( ) whose toddler daughter had just been dianosed with PA. We never heard from her in a long time, but I often think about her and wonder how her daughter is doing. Here's a link to her very sad post: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8456&highlight=mother%27s+day.

Feel better!

Mike

[camc356]

your case sounds very similiar to mine. I was diagnosed with P last march and I am now 25. It got worse and worse--i had been seeing dermatologists, my primary, chiropractors, and even tried accupuncture. Nothing would help it or even calm it down. It was covering my scalp, basically my entire face, my neck and on my hands, in between my fingers and also near my thumb. The sport near my thumb was actually open and oozing with puss--really gross. On Thanksgiving, I saw my aunt from out of state. She took one look at me and started crying. She could just tell that something serious was going on--not just P. She then told me about a naturopathic doctor who could possible help me. I flew cross country two weeks later to have an appointment. After a six hour visit I was also diagnosed with PA and was told that it is progressing very quickly and that something had to be done. I had no idea that I had Pa too--but then after the visit i was putting two and two together--I was having stiffness and pain in my hands, I was tired all the time, My eyes were puffed and crusty in the morning, I was dropping dishes and odd stuff all the time, and arthritis had shown up in an xray at my chiropractors. He then told me that he could help me if I came to his clinic--which I did. I was at his clinic for 32 days and through all kinds of natural stuff in baths and wraps, I sent the P and most importantly PA into remission. My skin is about 90% clear. I now have been home for a little over two weeks and maintaing my new lifestyle. I really monitor my diet and exercise. I also use lotions and cleansers that the doctor gave me. If you are interested in maybe contacting him, I can give you his website. He really helped me--he basically gave me my life back. PA is not a picnic and you are so young to be suffering--and it will only get worse. Dont let doctors brush you off as they did to me--if you really think you have it press the issue. The sooner you do the better.

[sabsmako]

I'm 21 and I started to get PA pain when I was 17.

[Geffy]

I believe I got PA at 16/17, but I wasn't diagnosed until 21 or so. I'm sorry it may be happening to you too.

[ouchyk]

Hi ct69646 ,

If you think you have PA you should be consulting with a good rheumatologist. ~ Period. ~ Get a proper diagnosis, see what your options are and go from there.

If your not comfortable with medications then perhaps you should think about seeing another type of practioner, AFTER proper diagnosis.

You cannot tell with over 100 types of arthritis what you might be dealing with or if you have arthritis at all. You can have psoriasis with OA, AS, RA, fibro, gout, etc etc etc. Chances are you would have PA with psoriasis, especially if your nails are involved.~ However thats not always the case.

You can also go in and out of remissions if your PA case is mild. I have an uncle who is still in remission 30 years after dx, of course his P is another story. :( Most likely if you do remit it could come back to bite you.

PA is nothing to fool around with, it can be deforming, painful and disabling if your not treated properly. Get a referal soon, you need to know what your dealing with.

Be well,

Karen

ps. I know a 2 year old with PA, its not out of the question, we have plenty of members who have had dx at a very young age. I pray this isn't your case. If it is you'll have plenty of support!

[ct69646]

thanks everyone. do you guys think that my dermatologist could diagnose it? I have an appointment March 20th. My derm is 2 1/2 hours away back at home (I'm at college). It's just really hard to find good doctors where I am now and its even harder to make time to get back home and get appointments.

so I guess I'll just try to get my derm to help me.

[jdgarwood]

thanks everyone. do you guys think that my dermatologist could diagnose it? I have an appointment March 20th. My derm is 2 1/2 hours away back at home (I'm at college). It's just really hard to find good doctors where I am now and its even harder to make time to get back home and get appointments.

so I guess I'll just try to get my derm to help me.

You really should see a Rheumatologist...I'm sure your Derm. will give you a referral. Good Luck.

Joel

[SandraJean]

Hi,

I agree with seeing a good rheumatologist to help with the dx of pa. That's sounds like a really good idea to have your dermatologist refer you to one. The sooner you are dx the sooner you can get treatment for it and find something to slow the progression down. I have both p and pa and have been in a clinical trial study for Humiora since 2003. The Humira was recentely approved for pa (Oct 2005) and it really has helped my pa alot.

Good luck to you,

Sandy

[Lyddie]

I agree. You should see a rhumie. I am almost 20 and have had PA since I was 18, but didn't get it properly treated until I was 19. I went to my gp, two different derms, and an orthopedic surgeon before someone thought to refer me to a rhumie. It may start out as stiffness in the hands, or in my case my knee, but it can spread so quickly. It was only a few months before I could hardly get out of bed. Try to get a diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. I'm in college and I know how hard it is to make time for dorctors and meds, but make time or you may live to regret it. PA is not something to put off till later. I am almost back to normal now that I'm on my meds. I can go back to school and walk around without too much pain thanks to my rhumie. Just remember that, no matter what doctor you go to, if they aren't helping fire them and go to a different doctor and keeping going to different doctors untill someone helps. Hope you feel better soon.

Lyddie

[lewislibrarian]

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling possibly burgeoning PsA. You are very nearly exactly where I was...I was 17 when I was diagnosed after a summer of orthopedic therapy and surgery (!). But I had really started having pain when I was 14-15ish. I've had P since I was 5, but was only diagnosed at 13. I too got my diagnosis just as I was leaving for college...no car, no rheum close by, no derm close by either (yeah, I just about went to college in the boonies :) ) It was a very tough thing. I wound up talking to my counselor about the fact that I would need to take time to go home (3 hours away) to see doctors, and she helped me set up a schedule and talk to my professors about what I needed.

The good thing about your situation (and mine) is that we caught it early and can act aggressively. It's a pain that you're not close by your docs. However, what your derm might be able to do is recommend a rheum and call them to see if they can get you in on an emergency appt. If you suspect that you have PsA, you should probably also contact your primary care doc. They can also recommend/refer and try to get you in on an emergency basis (which was my experience as well...)

You're lucky to know about PsA ahead of time...I'd never heard of it, and my idiot derm barely knew anything either when the ortho said, Hey you should ask your derm about the possibility of PsA.

Much luck, strength, and serenity,
Jesse

[ct69646]

so I went to the doc today and got some new anti itch medicine(one for anxiety too =o) ), dermasmoothe, and capex.

they took x-rays of my hands and hopefully I'll hear back tomorrow.... the doc said if I do have it then I'll probably have to go on Enbrel..... so yeah, I'm praying that I don't have it even though it still wouldn't explain the stiffness and pain in my hands.

so yeah I'm a little nervous....