Mixed Connective Tissue Disease ?

[Guest guest]

Along with PsA, has anyone also been given the diagnosis of Mixed

Connective Tissue Disease? At my daughter's recent appointment with her

pediatric

rheumatologist, he added this diagnosis based on some strange things

happening to the skin over all her joints on her fingers and in some locations

between the joints. Her PsA began in her distal joints of the fingers.

These symptoms are not causing her any new discomfort, but their appearance is

recent. They are red, smooth, thickened, and containing possible fluid

beneath. Also, they don't have the appearance of typical psoriasis spots. He

also added a drug called hydroxychloroquine based on his clinical findings.

He did order up a vast array of tests which we have yet to hear the

results.

I respect the doctor but I am realizing that I can be a skeptic. I called a

trusted Dermatologist and she wants to see my daughter and do skin

biopsies. My daughter has never seen a dermatologist for psoriasis because she

hasn't had a single patch (my husband has psoriasis, so we know what we are

watching for) but now I feel it is important to cross reference the two

medical professions as there is overlap in diseases they treat.

One last question, technically, is PsA a form of rheumatoid arthritis?

I've never been entirely clear. Rheumatoid is an autoimmune disease but I

know psoriasis (and therefore PsA) can be hereditary.

Thanks all,

Jessie