psoriasic arthritis

[anne kennedy]

While trying to find a rhematologist to diagnose my pa, one of my fingers at the joint became swollen. Even after taking anti-inflamatory medications, the finger will no longer bend at its knuckle joint. This was a rapid change in my condition. Previously, I was having hand pain.

Has anyone experienced this situation?
Thank you

[rhop]

Dear Anne - You are having significant inflammation in the joint, even if you can't see redness or swelling. I have had my left index finger do that within a month after stopping my methotrexate for a few weeks rest. You may need to increase the anti-inflam. med.(always with food) and find that dermy - the sooner the better. I have had severe p.a. for 12 yrs. now, but this index finger was the first time that any joints just quit working altogether and have stayed crooked and unbending, so apparently there has been damage to my joints in that finger that can't be reversed, because I am back on high doses of mxt. and NSAIDS, and the finger has not returned to normal. But when I've had severe redness and swelling in other fingers and toes, etc. in the past, the meds always were able to clear up the problems and function returned to normal. Go figure! The one thing I know for sure about p. and p.a. is its unpredictability!!
Good Luck, Rosemary

[melissacole]

Anne- This has happened to me quite a bit. I had a lot of trouble with my fingers just aching, but over time (a number of years) they have swelled to twice what they should be. The only medication I have used that has helped 100% was penicillin. I have tried prednisone and cousins of prednisone, vioxx, celebrex and all those other anti-inflammatories. My only problem is that I am now allergic to penicillin! This is only a temporary fix. I'm not sure that you can take penicillin for any length of time.

Hope this helps! Melissa

[kmfitzpatrick1]

I started with what looked like a fingernail fungus. It was not long before it was diagnosed as psoriasis. This has been ongoing with sores also on my heels that start with pustules and I have tried numerouse prescription creams, gels, etc. (too many to list for over three years). Sometimes there is relief and sometimes for what appears to be no reason it just intensifies and grows larger. Never does it go away fully. If I do not lance the pustules they become red and sore. I also have the arthritis in the joints closest to the nails on my fingers. I am on 25 mg of methotrexate weekly but it does not seem to help the arthritis. The nails do look like they might be growing out and getting a little better. The pain in the ends of my fingers is excruciating at times. It feels like electric shocks and burning. Does anyone else have these type of symptoms? Does anyone have any suggestions for how to deal with it?

[rhop]

Just a note to reply to kmfitzpatrick above. I have that burning, electric feeling in my hands and fingers frequently, as well as in my feet and toes. I thought it might be due to being diabetic, and my rheumatologist didn't pay much attention to it, but there are times it drives me crazy. I once had both arms from the elbows to the fingertips buzzing and burning, like they had fallen asleep, and that electric shock, hit-your-funny-bone horrible feeling was continuous for THREE DAYS!! I couldn't sleep, and just wanted to pound them and shake them to get it to stop. It doesn't happen as frequently now, and not as intensely either, but I have read and heard other people describe mild burning, electric sorts of feelings in their fingers and feet with this, so you aren't alone. I wanted to see a neurologist when I had that 3-day thing, but the rheumy just sort of blew it off. He did put me on an anti-Parkinson's drug for 10 days, a few years ago, because of the horrible restless leg syndrome and burning, electic feeling in my legs and feet, and it actually helped. I don't remember the name of it, it was brand new, VERY expensive, and I couldn't afford to stay on it, but I don't have those problems much now, since I am no longer working as a nurse and on my feet constantly.

If you learn anything more about that issue, will you keep us posted? Thanks and best wishes. Rosemary

[kmfitzpatrick1]

The only thing that i have noticed at this point is:
1) Vicodin pain killers help when this happens.
2) If I am not using my hands a lot it does not happen. If I have a busy day, work on the computer a lot, or otherwise use my hands (I planted a garden and boy did I pay for that) the pain, burning, tingling is almost unbearable. I can just be walking across the floor and it attacks and almost makes me scream out. I do moan at times but try not to as I don't want anyone else to know what is going on. I will keep you posted if the doc comes up with anything other than pain pills for this. I am doing meth and hoping that will make it all go away. (-: Lot of luck!

[bsankaran]

I HAVE P. ON MY TOE NAIL AND IT SPLITS. IS THERE A SPECIAL KIND OF CLIPPERS TO CUT THE TOUGH NAIL.

BALA

[bjs561222]

My feet are bad and I have the burning and electric shocks going thru my feet. Bobbi