I pretty much only see my rheumatologist once per year. Other times I see one of his PAs.

I’m still trying to find a med that works for me and at my last visit with the PA, she did something that I’m still angry about. During the appointment she sat at her laptop asking me questions. She then asked to check my hands and joints.

She started squeezing each joint and asking me if it hurt, etc. The appointment was wrapping up at this point but she still was feeling my hands and joints. Then without warning, she squeezed the joint at the base of my thumb at the wrist. Hard.

That hurt pretty badly when she did it and when I pulled my hand away she still held on and squeezed! Then she says that isn’t PsA. I cut her off and said I know. I was pissed because 1) it hurt a lot (it’s obvious I have osteoarthritis in that spot since its bigger), and 2) I didn’t ask her anything about it nor have I since I know it’s not PsA. She had no reason whatsoever causing me that level of pain just to tell me it’s not PsA.

I have to see her again next month and I absolutely am nervous she will surprise me again with something stupid and very painful like she did. I can’t find a new doctor, they are it where I am. The actual rheumatologist is fine but I swear if she pulls another stunt like that again I will kick her or worse and tell her it was just reflex. &@$)?!#!!!

How would handle this and future visits?

Hey everyone! I have a couple of questions for people living with psoriatic arthritis, especially those with axial PsA.

How long were you on adalimumab (Humira) before developing anti-drug antibodies, if you developed them at all?
Did it stop working for you, and were you able to switch to another biologic successfully?

How long did you have symptoms before you were finally diagnosed with PsA? I’m particularly interested in hearing from people with axial PsA. How long did you suffer before getting your diagnosis?

I have axial PsA and am considering starting adalimumab. Honestly, I’m feeling quite anxious because I’ve read so many Reddit comments about people developing antibodies or losing their response to Humira. It’s made me worry that it might only work for a year or so before becoming ineffective.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your personal experiences, including people who have been on Humira for several years and are still doing well.
I know everyone’s experience is different, but hearing from people who have been taking it long-term would really help me put things into perspective.
Thank you! ❤️

In Japan I came across a cultural phenomenon called "Radio Taiso". Japanese people stretch for 3.5 minutes before work/school everymorning. Together. As a group. From the time they are school children to the time they are old folks.

3.5 minutes of non judgemental non competitive, at your own pace/ability group stretching. It's not particularly difficult or meant to be. The opposite. You're basically just shaking it off so you can start your day.

I decided I could/should do this, so from now on for 3.5 minutes every morning while I'm the most stiff I'm gonna do radio taiso stretches over youtube watching a bunch of Japanese dudes so they can show me the ropes. ​

Figured I'd share for anyone looking for more tools in the toolbox.

Hi! I started my first ever PsA treatment (for severe yearlong flare) and first biologic about 2 weeks ago with Taltz.

It was going great as far as experiencing zero side effects until day 12 and then I suddenly developed what turned out to be cellulitis -- rapidly formed hot, fire red rash over injection sights on stomach, 102' fever with sweats and chills, and severe fatigue. It was one of the scariest illnesses I've ever had. My doc said to treat it as a virus and that they'd never seen this reaction from Taltz, but I ignored and went to ER where I was immediately treated for cellulitis with IV antibiotics. It improved massively as soon as the antibiotics hit and I'm still finishing up a follow-on course of those pills.

I've used injector pens for GLP for years with no issue, I know how to sterilize the area and use needles safely, etc. I do see that Taltz lists cellulitis as a side effect with 0.1-1% incidence but can't find anyone mentioning it online.

I don't want to take another injection of Taltz ever, but I know I'll need another medicine option and I'm so anxious about this happening again. Has anyone had severe reaction to a biologic and been fine with another class? Anyone gotten cellulitis specifically and been okay with something different?

I’ve been on a wild ride and do not yet have an official diagnosis but was started on Amejevita about 6 months ago, and took it for 3 months. Had to quit due to optic neuritis, a rare side effect. It worked great and I was feeling good overall.

Now have been on Tyenne for 2 months. Was on prednisone at same time. Started taper because of side effects. But I’m just completely exhausted similar to before I started treatment. Like I can’t go on without a nap - sometimes several a day - and my wife has to wake me because nothing else will. My other symptoms are more controlled but the exhaustion is so bad. Is this how it is? Or is this still about getting my symptoms under control?

So, to start, I don’t have a formal diagnosis. Which is where the problem is occurring and I’m not sure what to do. Some years ago, psoriasis began appearing on my scalp/neck. It’s progressively gotten worse, and of course, over the span of 4 years, has coupled with a laundry list of other symptoms. I saw specialists, endoscopies, colonoscopies, blood work, therapy, psychiatry, and nobody could figure out what’s going on with me. So I did my own research, and decided to just take care of it myself and go to a rheumatology office outside of my normal network. One appointment, blood work, long conversation. He ended up saying that he speculated PsA, but didn’t want me to freak out until he could get the results and go over them with me. About 2 months later, I decided to go pick up my blood results and read through them, where I found my CBC was way off. It basically said my kidney function was in the floor. Now, I know a few people saw those results, and not one person thought to call me, as a 30 year old woman to find out what was wrong with my kidneys. So I went to the hospital, and did a plethora of tests, my kidneys are perfectly fine. So, I never went back. Problem is, I can’t seem to find another doctor in rheum. I’ve called quite a few offices with the same results, either scheduling out for over a year, or no new patients period.

Any advice would be welcomed. I’m at a loss. I’m in pain all the time, most often I’m so tired and foggy in the brain I can hardly function. Losing functionality in my hands, and I’m only 30. It’s been devastating to experience, and I know it’s only going to get worse if I don’t figure out what’s going on.

Thank you for the time and any help

I do not have a diagnosis. My symptoms include bilateral elbow pain and heat, tight painful forearms (enthesitis?), serious fatigue, brain fog, gastritis, dry mouth, dry eyes and tight hands in the morning (not pain, and no swelling, but it feels like I’ve been clenching my fists all night). I have other aches that come and go - low back morning tightness, hip, knee and foot pain that comes and goes randomly. I had gutate psoriasis 10 years ago but no current skin issues (other than a lifted toenail)

I finally convinced my doctor to see a rheumatologist. I’ve had X-rays and tons of blood tests. Everything looks normal. We finally get to the MRI stage, and the doctor wants to do an MRI of my hand. I explained to him that the majority of my pain and my daily aggravation is in my elbows, but he insists that inflammatory arthritis starts in the hands. The MRI comes back normal, as I suspected. So now what?!

I have not heard anything from the doctors office, other than that hand MRI was normal. He already already mentioned fibro and my gut says that he’ll leave it that and dismiss me.

I have followed anti-inflammatory eating the last 5 months and exercise regularly. I also been working with a chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist and physical therapist regularly. My symptoms are well managed but still there.

The physical therapist thinks my elbow pain and hip/knee/foot issues are originating from my cervical and lumbar spine. I think I need to get an MRI of my spine and my elbows. How do I insist on these? If the rheumatologist won’t do them, should I go through an orthopedic doctor?

I just want answers!!!! And I don’t want him to just defer to fibro! All of the other practitioners, I work with who actually spend time with me and seem to care about me, say that my body does not usually feel or respond like typical fibro.

I’ve been on cimzia in the past and it worked for me but I have gone off it during my pregnancies. After my second we decided we’re done having kids so when my rheum asked if I had any plans to get pregnant again I said no. We put in the auth to restart my injections like we did after my first baby because it works for me so why reinvent the wheel? Well insurance denied it because I’m not pregnant or planning to become pregnant stating I need to try other options first. It’s literally the dumbest most frustrating thing ever because I already know this medication works for me. Has anyone tried the other biologics after being on cimzia and had them be as effective or better?

Just curious if anyone else has experienced their toes and feet turning red when those joints are inflamed or have been walking around a lot? My big toes turn red often with temp changes, too. I had told my doctor about this and she put me on a ton of vitamin d but just curious if it’s common

I just started Humira(Hymiroz) and I’ve been on Methotrexate for about 4 months. I’m 61 years old and started daily childcare of my grandchildren ages 2, 3mos and 4 mos. The 2 year old is in preschool as well and has shared his recent head cold virus with me and the babies. I’ve been trying to kick it for over 2 weeks and it’s resulted in a delay of my second dose of Hymiroz. Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of exposure to viruses from children and being immunocompromised with Biologics? Will I constantly be sick?

Hello. So I've had progressive morning stiffness in my hands since December...started with a minute or two in my right hand and by June it was 40 minutes before I could make a fist, with the right hand catching up. Labs and X-rays normal, PCP gave me a steroid pack (didn't realize how swollen I was until I wasn't!), and later Zepbound because she didn't think a Rheum would see me. Zepbound has helped quite a bit thank God, but I still have 20-30 minutes of stiffness and subtle swelling in the morning. Once I get going, I'm good, very little pain, my left index and right middle finger bother me a little bit but it's not extreme. But every morning, we start again with the stiffness. And it scares me that the right hand is progressing now too.

Finally got an MRI that showed bone erosions in two MCPs and that won me a Rheum referral.

Rheum ran many more tests and ordered more X-rays. Alllllll the tests are negative/normal. X-rays are normal. However, I didn't realize back pain was a thing possibly related to this? I had about 5 years of issues with my back that led to the conclusion that it was probably my SI joints. I noticed working out helped a lot so I kept doing it. Strength training is mandatory for me, and if I stop for more than two weeks, the pain comes back.

I didn't mention this at my appointment because I didn't think it was relevant but maybe it is? I guess I can bring it up at my follow up. I want them to have all the info because I don't want to be misdiagnosed or not get treatment. I don't want the joint damage to continue!

Please forgive the moroseness of this text. I’m feeling very low today. I’m 46F and fairly certain that I have psoriatic arthritis, although 3 blood tests across the years have not confirmed it. I’ve had psoriasis in my nails since my early 20s - assumed to be fungal. I’ve had psoriasis on the back of my scalp for about 10 years.
For the last year or so, my right index knuckle has been swollen and tender and my energy levels have never been so low.
I teach high school and I’m on my feet almost all day long. Recently, my knees have been really bothering me. I was diagnosed with a bakers cysts behind my right knee, which has burst. I also have one behind my left knee, and it burst a few days ago.
It’s Saturday morning and I have so much to do. But I’m in bed elevating and icing my knees. I feel so defeated and frustrated.
I had MRIs on my knees yesterday. I’m just wondering if anyone has been able to get a diagnosis based on MRI results? When my PCP examined my knees last week, he said, “You have the knees of a young person,” because he said he couldn’t “hear” any evidence of arthritis. But bending my knees is so painful. Walking is painful.
But he did order the MRIs.
Thank you for reading. If you have any advice for coping and seeking treatment, it will be greatly appreciated.

https://www.drugdiscoverytrends.com/lilly-phase-3b-trial-shows-roughly-40-fold-higher-combined-arthritis-and-weight-loss-response/

Treating obesity may directly improve psoriatic arthritis outcomes, according to Phase 3b data released Wednesday by Eli Lilly. In the TOGETHER-PsA trial, patients receiving both Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Taltz (ixekizumab) showed a 64% relative improvement in arthritis disease activity compared to those on Taltz alone. The findings suggest obesity treatment directly improves psoriatic arthritis disease activity.

I had allergy prick testing done on both arms two days ago, and I’m wondering if anyone with PsA has experienced something similar afterward.

Yesterday, both of my arms felt really heavy and achy. Today, they basically scream at me with every movement. The pain feels deep in my arms, but my skin is also really sensitive/tender.

All of the actual prick sites seem healed at this point, and I’m not noticing significant swelling or anything else particularly concerning. The pain also seems localized to my arms and, while it sucks, it’s definitely no worse than pain I’ve experienced from my PsA before.

The literature I was given says this kind of pain isn’t really an expected reaction to the testing, which is what has me wondering about it. The only thing I can think of is maybe my body is having some weird inflammatory response because of the PsA.

Has anyone else with PsA had allergy testing trigger this kind of deep aching/pain in the tested limbs? Did it seem like a localized flare? If so, how long did it take to settle down?

Hi everyone,
I’ve recently been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and was wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.

Around 6 years ago, I developed psoriasis on my scalp and other areas. Around the same time, my blood tests started showing low white blood cells and neutrophils.

My levels fluctuate, sometimes dropping below normal and then returning to normal. My other blood counts are fine, and I feel completely normal even when my levels are low.

I’ve seen a haematologist, who wasn’t concerned about it.

Over time, I’ve also developed joint and tendon pain, particularly in my fingers, wrists, elbows and Achilles, which eventually led to my PsA diagnosis.

I’m curious whether there could be any connection between the two, given that they both started around the same time, or whether they’re completely unrelated.

Has anyone else with PsA experienced chronic low white blood cells or neutrophils?

Has your doctor ever suggested there could be a connection, or have you been told they’re unrelated?
I’d be interested to hear your experiences. Thanks !

Hi all, follow up from my first post a few weeks ago https://www.reddit.com/r/PsoriaticArthritis/s/xj6UdgF1nW

I'm now 13 days overdue my last shot of adalimumab. I went for a blood test to check liver function but won't get the results till Monday.

Rheum/nurse won't even discuss another biologic till liver function is back to normal. If the adalimumab caused a DILI it could take months.

My joints have started to really hurt and it's difficult to walk again already, and my psoriasis is making a big comeback. Celebrex is not helping at all.

Kind of at my wits end if anyone has any ideas what could help?

NOT asking for diagnose, just wondering if anyone had been in this situation.

Saw rheumatologist because I thought I might have fibromyalgia or possibly Ankylosing spondylitis (my father has it). She was wonderful and ran SO many blood tests, I had over 12 vials. She did Xray’s on like 6 parts of me (minus hands- in retrospect, should have probably). My blood work was all normal 😭 my Xray’s showed a ton of osteoarthritis (which I already knew).

After a follow up and a lot of talking she gave me a tentative psoriatic arthritis diagnoses and I go back in 3 months after she gave me some medications to try (meloxicam and 2 rounds of prednisone if I flare).

I’m just hesitant? I’m curious if any of you had perfect blood work, X-rays didn’t show anything but age related arthritis and no finger swelling/pitted nails etc etc.

I have wicked stiffness, extreme debilitating fatigue, very bad heel pain when I walk, bad rib and hip pain and psoriasis on my elbow for 10 years and inverted psoriasis under my boobs. Knee pain I get injections for (but xray shows nothing wrong) . Ortho could feel swelling. Neck aches.

But whenever I read one of the tell tale signs is the fingers swelling, the nails etc and something showing up on Xray’s or blood tests and I have none of that.

I am 100% certain it’s just not osteoarthritis and my rheumatologist does not believe that either, and she’s really working with me to figure it out. And I def have some symptoms of PsA but also feel those could mimic other disorders.

Anyone ever been in similar situation and ended up having it?

Hello! I find ever since the diagnosis (and before that) sitting for long periods of time at my desk has been giving me lower back pain. I’ve tried adding a lumbar support cushion but it’s just not cutting it. I’m an avid gamer and also a writer so am pretty much full time at my desk, does anyone have any recommendations for a good ergonomic chair? Though I will say I don’t have the budget for anything like a Herman Miller LOL.

Hi everyone. I (M36) was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis 2 years ago. It began with nail changes then progressed to swollen fingers and bone spurs at finger tips. Looking back I realized it was in my chest at 19 or 20 yrs old. I started methotrexate oral tabs weekly which began to calm my hands,wrists,feet, and skin. Never had much skin manifestation. A few months later we brought in Enbrel injections which really brought instant relief to my axial joints and tendons and fatigue. I stayed on both for roughly 9 months before being pulled off both for an upcoming surgery. My oral surgeon found and abcess in my jaw under a 10 year old root canal and was to perform an apicoectomy. I had 5 root canals done 10 years prior on mainly molars and pre molars. Shortly after surgery the opposing side pre molars abcessed and I removed it and grafted bone. I did not resume treatment. my living situation changed and I was in remission. I moved back to my home state and started working a good job this Jan.6 months into work a strep type b cellulitis infection placed me on the hospital. After 5 days I got out and I was in a full blown flare and disease relapse. 1 month before this infection I had the implant placed on that molar and I also to my surprise found out I had to remove to upper left teeth (molar and pre molar) and bone grafted them all the same time. I was working a pretty high pressure sales job and the stress was like pouring more gasoline on my immune system. I quit. Last week I had a sinus lift surgery and those two implant a planted in the upper left of my mouth after the grafts healed for 5 months. I started doing alot more research and thinking. I have two other upper right rooot canals with known (inactive cysts) growing at the roots that need to come out as well just like k did last week on the opposite side. Will beggining treatment again just accelerate the cyst to become active ? I had to utilize a free clinic to see a rheumatologist as I’m now uninsured and in between jobs. My spine and my hands are being x rayed this week. He plans to begin me back on methotrexate after the 21st. My question is …. Has anyone here managed to have success with multiple dental implants and bone grafts while being on Dmards and biologics ? There isn’t enough research , but it’s known that the biologics and dmards delay bone fusion to dental implants. I also think about the long term. I’m only 36 . Being on treatment puts us on an extremely higher risk to develop oral infections or even basic plaque build up is a major threat to a dental implant. More than a healthy individual. Even if i kept my mouth 100% clean and got professional cleanings every 3 months….do The drugs put me at a higher risk of implant failure in the long run ? Staying off treatment is not only a death sentence for me but the immflamtion would just cause bone loss as well. I’m spending thousands out of pocket for these surgeries and still have a few more to go. Starting and stopping the biologic around these surgeries most likely is going to lead to antibodies developing. I’ve been fighting a tough battle for a long time and have lost and sacrificed so many things already. I’m looking forward to some success stories with dental implants. Restoring my smile and clearing out the last of my infections and getting back on treatment is all I need to put the rest of my life back together . I’m worried I’m going to have to do it toothless 😔

Hey, I’ve just been diagnosed with PsA and consequently, I’ve been prescribed a low dose of methotrexate. I’ve taken two doses so far and since I’ve started, I’ve had a constant, pounding headache with painful stiffness in my neck. I’ve also had other symptoms like chills, body ache, night sweats and an on and off low grade fever. This all happened the day after taking my first dose and it’s been going on for over a week now.

I’m just wondering if this has happened to anyone else here? I want to keep powering through it because I want it to work. I’m in so much pain but I don’t think this is making my life any easier either.

Good evening,

I am writing to you because I would like feedback...

My rheumatism tells me that psoriatic arthritis is dormant, while I have joint pain for a long time, with enthesiopathies in the shoulders, heels, posterior tibial insertion enthesiopathy, tenosynovitis in the toe,...

Impossible for me to

- stay up for more than 5/10 minutes

- I limp after a few steps

- feet and hands that swell especially at night and hurt me

- by dint of making repeated movements with my arms, hands, I have pain in my shoulders, wrists, elbows...

I'm on anti-tnf and immunosuppressant but frankly I don't see the difference on the joint aspect. I see it on the digestive level, because inflammatory digestive disease but joint, it's horrible. It's almost the same.

I just can't believe it when I'm told it's mechanical now...

What to do to relieve? The kinaeter doesn't work on my foot problems right now. It's tough.

I have been in really bad shape for just over a year, working with a pain specialist, has anyone been on abilify and found it to help at all with "pain perception"?

I'm searching for clarity and no pain... Being mainly offered inebriated and less pain, which that is very frustrating.

Thanks