Re: New to the Group, can someone answer some questions?

[Guest guest]

Hello Sam, welcome to the group -- as usual did a great job of

covering the bases for you. All his comments are what came to my mind while

reading your post. My first doc (after dx) was a gp and 1 1/2 years later,

when I went to my first rheumy appt. he said my gp did a terrific job of

treating me and he could find no fault with any of my treatment. It's at

least worth a try. Also, the pitting nails seems to be the real sign of PA

versus other types of joint problems. It sound like you need to be on meds

asap.

Good luck. Cheri :-))

[ ] New to the Group, can someone answer some

questions?

> Hello all!

>

> My name is Sam, and I am new to this group. Being a psoriasis

> sufferer for many years, and now with 2 types on my skin. Just got

> back to seeing a dermatologist, and the plaques are going away, for

> now anyway. Seems that a tanning booth helps too.

>

> However, that of course is not why I am here. I have been having

> problems with pain in my right hip (hey, only 43 here), and the pain

> goes down my leg into my foot, that eventually goes numb. For other

> reasons (OK, single guy too) I have lost 47 lbs, and hoped that that

> would help. It seemed to, however, now it is back. Now my left hip

> is starting to bother me as well. Of course everything I have read

> so far tells me to get to a doctor that is familiar with PA. Good

> luck, living here in Orlando, one would think there are plenty,

> wrong. And those that specialize are out 6 - 8 months for a visit.

>

> I guess what I would like to know is are these normal symptoms of PA,

> or just old age starting in yet again? Has anyone suffered any of

> the symptoms? I don't seem to have the sausage look on my fingers or

> toes, but there are alot of things that I seem to exhibit. Such as

> hip pain, lower back pain, being tired, pitting of the nails, and

> such.

>

> I would appreciate any feedback that I might get.

>

> Thank you everyone!

>

>

> Sam

>

> [Editor's Note: Welcome. Maybe the first thing to realize is that, absent

a lucky guess by the doc, diagnosing PA (which has no proof-positive test)

is a matter of ruling OUT other diagnoses (RA, Reiter's, Bursitis, SLE, OA,

Fibro, etc.)

>

> However: The pitting of your nails is pretty damn suspicious. As to joint

pain, the hallmark of arthritis (of all sorts) is that the pain is

present--usually the mornings are worst--on most days for at least one

month.

>

> Any doc should be able to recognize arthritis; if you need to go to a GP

in the interim (while waiting to see a rheumatologist), at least mention PA

to get the doc's mind at least considering it.

>

> D.]

>

>

>

>

> Please visit our Psoriatic Arthritis Group's informational web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/pa/ -- created and edited by list member

aka(raharris@...).

>

> Also,in August 2001,list member Jack aka Cornishpro@... began

to conduct extensive research which he publishes as the " Psoriatic Arthritis

Research Newsletter " , monthly in our email and digest format. Many thanks to

Jack. Back issues of the newsletter are stored on our PA webpage as well as

the archives of the list.

>

> Don't forget that the list archives comprise a tremendous amount of

information (Over three years of messages and answers).Feel free to browse

them at your convenience.

>

> LET'S HEAR FROM SOME OF YOU LURKERS out there! If you have a comment or

question, chances are there is a person who has been around a while who can

help you out with AT LEAST an educated guess for an answer! If not,we can

steer you in the right direction with a good website to go to,

>

> Blessings and Peace,

>

> Atwood-Stack, Founder

> Alan , Web & List Editor

> Jack , Newsletter Editor

> Pat Bias, List Editor

> Ron Dotson, List Editor

> Orin, List Editor

> , List Editor

> and any others who help in any way (thank you!)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam,

I too have hip pain. I have had it for about the last 6-8 months. My

rheumy seems to think it could be a ligament problem. I personally

think it could be some kind of bursitis. Mostly because i have had

it already in my left shoulder and know what the pain is like. It is

affecting my right hip. As far as being young, well i " m only 25,

this is definately not an " old person's disease, considering I began

symptoms at the age of 12 and finally was diagnosed at the age of

21. Anywho, good luck seeing a rheumy. Perhaps you could manage to

travel elsewhere to see a rheumy, I know mine usually has a waiting

list of 2-3 months for a new patient appt. Good luck.

Keli

> Hello all!

>

> My name is Sam, and I am new to this group. Being a psoriasis

> sufferer for many years, and now with 2 types on my skin. Just

got

> back to seeing a dermatologist, and the plaques are going away,

for

> now anyway. Seems that a tanning booth helps too.

>

> However, that of course is not why I am here. I have been having

> problems with pain in my right hip (hey, only 43 here), and the

pain

> goes down my leg into my foot, that eventually goes numb. For

other

> reasons (OK, single guy too) I have lost 47 lbs, and hoped that

that

> would help. It seemed to, however, now it is back. Now my left

hip

> is starting to bother me as well. Of course everything I have

read

> so far tells me to get to a doctor that is familiar with PA. Good

> luck, living here in Orlando, one would think there are plenty,

> wrong. And those that specialize are out 6 - 8 months for a visit.

>

> I guess what I would like to know is are these normal symptoms of

PA,

> or just old age starting in yet again? Has anyone suffered any of

> the symptoms? I don't seem to have the sausage look on my fingers

or

> toes, but there are alot of things that I seem to exhibit. Such

as

> hip pain, lower back pain, being tired, pitting of the nails, and

> such.

>

> I would appreciate any feedback that I might get.

>

> Thank you everyone!

>

>

> Sam

>

> [Editor's Note: Welcome. Maybe the first thing to realize is that,

absent a lucky guess by the doc, diagnosing PA (which has no proof-

positive test) is a matter of ruling OUT other diagnoses (RA,

Reiter's, Bursitis, SLE, OA, Fibro, etc.)

>

> However: The pitting of your nails is pretty damn suspicious. As

to joint pain, the hallmark of arthritis (of all sorts) is that the

pain is present--usually the mornings are worst--on most days for at

least one month.

>

> Any doc should be able to recognize arthritis; if you need to go

to a GP in the interim (while waiting to see a rheumatologist), at

least mention PA to get the doc's mind at least considering it.

>

> D.]

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam, Talston, Bob, Tee and Rosemary,

Hope you get the help and info you need from the group.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam,

Welcome.

I must agree with , the nail pitting along with your pain

symptoms does sound very suspicious of PA. A rhuematologist visit

seems to be imminent for you, so schedule an appointment and see your

GP in the meantime to get help with pain mgt. Also, sometimes a

referral from a GP can get you an appt sooner than just calling

yourself.

A fellow 43 year old,

Stay Well,