Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disease – a form of inflammatory arthritis that can cause pain, swelling and sometimes damage to any joint in the body. It typically appears in people who have psoriasis, a chronic disease characterized by a scaly, reddish skin rash that usually appears on the elbows, knees and scalp.
A healthy immune system releases antibodies – agents that act as natural defenses against injury or disease-causing invaders – to heal the body in times of distress. But autoimmune diseases such as psoriatic arthritis turns the body against its own tissues, sending white blood cells to and inflaming the synovium – tissue that lines the joint capsule and produces synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint and keeps it moving smoothly. This inflammation causes the synovium to thicken, resulting in a puffy, swollen joint.
Over time, the synovium invades the cartilage, elastic tissue that covers the ends of the bones in a joint. The cartilage in turn erodes, causing bones to rub together. As the joint weakens, so do its the surrounding structures, such as muscles, ligaments and tendons. Because this joint damage can occur early in the disease process, diagnosing psoriatic arthritis as quickly as possible and treating it properly are important.
And while it’s most commonly associated with joints, psoriatic arthritis is a systemic condition, meaning that over time the inflammation that characterizes it can affect multiple joints and even organs.
What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
As with other forms of arthritis, symptoms of PsA vary among different people. Many symptoms are common to other forms of arthritis, making the disease tricky to diagnose. Here’s a look at the most common symptoms – and the other conditions that share them:
Painful, swollen joints: Psoriatic arthritis typically affects the ankle, knees, fingers, toes and lower back. However, the joint at the tip of the finger may swell, making it easy to confuse with gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis that typically affects only one joint.
Dactylitis: Many people with PsA experience this sausage-like swelling along the entire length of their fingers or toes. This symptom is one that helps differentiate psoriatic arthritis from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in which the swelling is usually confined to a single joint.
Enthesitis: People with psoriatic arthritis often develop tenderness or pain where tendons or ligaments attach to bones. This commonly occurs at the heel (Achilles tendinitis) or the bottom of the foot (plantar fasciitis), but it can also occur in the elbow (tennis elbow). Each of these conditions could just as easily result from sports injuries or overuse as from psoriatic arthritis.
I am taking 8 2.5mg methetraxate/week. I have had some improvement and my walking is getting much better.
I told my doctor that I'm positive food affects the condition. Was told not enough research to prove this theory. So, I purchased a juicer 2 weeks ago and have been juicing 1 time a day AND eating whole foods, no preservatives, and no wheat products (gluten free). I also do 25 minutes every morning on my treadmill. I have improved more in the last 2 weeks than I have in the last 6 months and I cut my meds in half without any reprecussions so far. I'm feeling good (not 100%) but on a scale of 1-10 I'm averaging a 2-3/day. I believe that good nutrition and excersize are extremely important for those of us who suffer this painful disease.
I've talk to the doctor about certain foods but was told there's not enough clinical studies to prove that some help & some don't.
Only thing he suggested is Omega 3.
Thanks for listening and I wish everyone the best who are battling this disease.
To Sara - having any disease can be devastating. And learning to live with it isn't easy. I will suggest finding a good therapist to help you cope and talk about your frustrations with the disease. I met a great therapist early on that has helped me emotionally cope with my challenges due to my disease.
To Krysti - Check out rheumatology associates in Dallas. They have a lot of clinical trials and is run by a brilliant Dr, Dr Roy Fleishmann.
I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Raynauds. About 10 years ago, I noticed a number of small red patches on my skin which got worse when exposed to sunlight. I have been diagnosed by my dermatologist as having DSAP (Disseminated Superficial Actinic Porokeratosis).I wear sunblock clothing - even for swimming - and 50 or more sunblock all the time, but still have increased patches on my arms and legs. Lotions help, but the increase in red patches builds and does not ever completely go away. If anyone has any info on this disease, please post an answer.
Then i went down with a sinus infection that would not clear up so had to stop Humira treatment!
Drs said need sinus surgery then can try Humira again, well due to simptoms ended up loosing my job and my insurance! have been in misery since psoriosis is all over again am swollen all over my body again have been trying to control w pain meds and steroid shots, is not working!
Am finally on medicaid and going for surgery at the end of this month then will hopefully be able to treat athritis after that! has anyone else taken this route would really like yo know if getting the surgery will halp me tolerate PsA treatments!
David R - get a new doctor
I just hope that the new health care system doesn't write us older patents off & tell us to take pain meds instead....
shampoo(Edger Cacey swore by tar and olive oil for the skin and hair. I bathe in the shampoo also a couple times a week. It's a relief and relaxes me to get rid of the flakes and irritation. Sometimes tetracyclene helps. SS: I think they deny everyone at first, unless you are close to retirement age. But don't let that bother you Just look at the time you have to reply and sent them a new letter from your Dr.When you get a hearing in front of a judge, that's when they get real. Insted of a dumb one line denial, they type an eleven page dissertation. When they give you the hearing you may want a lawyer. If you have a family member with you, they have them wait in the hall, so they cannot hear. Then they call them in and ask them questions, to see if the back up what you said. My husband was approved that way for Lupus. ake sure you guys aren't suffering from low thyroid. That can couse a lot of the same symptoms! Good luck to all and love!
On Methotrexate (6 tabs a week)but does nothing for the pain, and doc says just take aleve or advil type products.
I tried Humira for a short time, (VERY expensive) but I ended up with shingles as a response to lowered immune system. So back onto Methotrextate.
I do triathlon so every day I swim, bike, or runn, but last marathon ended in bloody toes.
Pain every day, but still kicking
Several years ago when I went on Methothrexate, my Doc had me take the pill form to see a tolerance then switched to injections - of which I did weekly (10mL) - I asked the Doc about his decision to use injections v. pills - he said in pill form the liver processes 100% of the drug - in injection form - the liver processes about 20% of the drug - the outcome - injections are less toxic to the liver.
Can you tell me about your experience applying for Social Security disability? I have reviewed the SSA site and disability app and probably due to my PsA-related depression, feel overwhelmed by the medical part of the app. If I thought I have a decent chance of getting SSA disability, the effort to apply is certainly worth it; on the other hand, if you had to fight and appeal, month after month, I'd appreciate knowing what finally made the difference. Thank you so-o-o much,
Peg
Few months ago I had a heart attack and as a result of it had Angioplasty. I read that some people who has arthritis have had a heart attack, and I am one. Thanks God I have an excellent cardiologist, internist, rheumatogist and dermatologist. They all
work in coordination to provide me the best medical care avaiable. God bless them.
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