new to this group - so here goes

[Guest guest]

I'm a 54 year old male who recently had joint swelling in the large

knuckles of both hands, feet swelling on the ball and Achilles

tendon area, and sharp shoulder pains. Six weeks ago on my first

visit to the rheumy I was found to be positive for RA. We started

on Prednisone and Methotrexate. The finger swelling is down, the

shoulder pains gone, and the foot swelling is down. That's the good

stuff. Seems like you only post if there isn't bad stuff too.

My rheumy thinks I have psoriatic arthritis. To my knowledge I have

and have never had any signs of psoriasis. Over the last six weeks

I've had wrist swelling that came and went. Now, my elbows are

acting up - painful but no noticeable swelling. The major problem

is heel pain. And today one hand began to swell again. My second

visit was today and he still thinks I may have psoriatic rather than

rheumatoid arthritis. I do not have fingernail pitting or any skin

issues. He seemed puzzled. I asked him if the positive RA test

should be the determinate. He said that he pays attention to the

patient more than the RA test. He added Sulfasalazine to the pill

regimen.

I have several questions:

1. can I have a positive RA test and have psoriatic and not

rheumaoid arthritis?

2. it sounds very unlikely that I could have psoriatic without

previous psoriasis. what percentage of psoriatic arthritis victims

have not had psoriasis?

3. what is your opinion of my situation? I have to admit I am

disposed to follow what the rheumy says. He is my only hope at this

time.