Joint Pain and more...

[Guest guest]

Hello Folks,

I just joined your group. Recently I found out I have psoriatic arthritis. I

went through numerous blood work ups, ex-rays, MRI's, tests of all

kinds etc....I also have Myasthenia Gravis, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis,

Osteoporosis, Diabetes, and now the Doc tells me I all so have (Psoriatic

Arthritis) to add to my collection so to speak.....

 

OK, now about the joint pain and more, I have pain in every joint in my body,

swelling, redness, and a red bumpy and scaly rash on the palms of my hands and

bottom of both of my feet. I have tried so many different creams / lotions to

get rid of the rash or what ever it is and no luck...and the rash itches

terribly at times. The rash has been on my hand / feet for a couple of years or

more. Sometimes the rash resembles acne and then turns into what looks like

blood blister under the skin, then turns into a hard dry scaly skin that peels.

 

Does anyone know what the hand / foot rash may be? How to get rid of it? It is

very uncomfortable to say the least and looks awful. My doctor has not been able

to get rid of the rash with the prescription creams etc..

 

I am getting surgery on my knee on September 26, to clean out my knee joint. My

knee is extremely swollen and I am having to use a walker to get around. My

ankle is swollen as well. Seems like the swelling is causing the rash to get

worse.

I feel like my body is falling apart.

 

Thank you for any help, or advise you may have  : )

Deborah Brock - On-line Autism Support Group - owner

groupsupport/

specialneedsinformation_supportlibrary/

IN*SOURCE Special Ed Law (RPR) - Regional Parent Resource

On-line Autism Resource Facilitator

Autism Society of Indiana

Autism Society of America

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah.... bless your heart!! What you are describing is psoriasis (as in

psoriatic arthritis) It is very real and we ALL understand and empathize and

sympathize with you.We are all here for support and understanding and to lend an

ear and share a word or two. Jump on in and join the bunch! Welcome.... in

Ga.

[Guest guest]

Dear Deborah,

I found a cream that helps my feet I'ts called Bare Foot, I found it

at Walmart cosmetics section It has tea tree oil in it and I apply it at

night after shower and go to bed, helps with the itch and soothes and

relaxes my feet so I can go to sleep.

JIM

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah,

It sounds like you not only have Psoriatic Arthritis, but you

probably also have Psoriasis. That's the bumpy red rash.

Creams, lotions Etc, might help, and some offer temporary relief,

but it sounds like you need to be on Methotrexate, or Enbrel or

Humira.

Given your other diagnosis's I'm not sure what drug options are

available to you.

I am very surprised that your doctor hasn't mentioned Psoriasis. It

almost always accompanies PA.

I'd definitely get a second opinion before undergoing surgery on a

joint. Depending on if there is damage to the joint or how much,

surgery might not be necessary if you can treat with drugs. Swollen

joints are very common in PA. Often they reduce to normal with drug

treatment, again not sure what your options are given

your " collection " .

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah, I've joined the group a few weeks ago and have found it very

interesting.  Your profile grabbed me because not only do I have PA,

Fibromyalgia, Osteo Arthritis and I had a questionable diagnosis for myasthenia

gravis.  The myasthenia gravis has never been confirmed, however, I still have

dysphonia.  The neurologist treated me for it for a while without the confirmed

diagnosis.  Similarly, I've also undergone testing for MS without confirmation -

thankfully.  It seems that a compromised immune system can bring up all kinds of

problems.  I've never met anyone with MG.  I don't have great advise for your

rash problem. Given you have been diagnosed with PA, I would guess it could be

psoriasis.  Are you seeing a dermatologist to help you get relief?  I've never

had psoriasis on the palms or bottom of my feet but know that it's common. 

Also, typically when the psoriasis is out of control, the arthritis can be too. 

They tend to get

aggravated together.   I also find that once you have psoriasis in a spot, you

have to work the creams for a long time to get it to go away.  I'm not so

diligent so I can have the same problem area for years.  Good luck with your

knee surgery.  I hope it gives you relief.  I'm recovering from bi-lateral knee

replacements which I had 6/18. 

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My apologies for my very tardy reply. I haven't been doing so well,

and sometimes I can't sit at my computer.

I see you are new to the group as well. Fibromyalgia, the Osteo

Arthritis, so sorry to hear you have these as well. They are very

painful. myasthenia gravis (MG) - You have met some one with it now It is

quite a

concerning disease. I went to a Neurologist because my legs were

lethargic, and he did tons of blood work, and after my 3rd visit he

broke the news to me. I have always wondered all my life as to what

caused me to stumble and fall. I thought I was just " clumsy " ...Now I

know why I fell a lot,and my legs dropped out from under me. I recall

when I was a child in gym class I couldn't keep up, and the gym

teacher wrote my parents and said I didn't want to participate, then

I was punished by my parents for doing badly in class, my parents

were only trying to get me to do better.

Other symptoms of MG, are lethargic limbs, tingling in limbs,

numbness, labored breathing and brain fog...which can happen with

Fibromyalgia as well.

The medicine I take for MG is Mestinon 3 x daily. It does help the

signal fire to my muscles, but not as much as I had hoped. I guess

with all the other illnesses I have the medicine is doing the best it

can.

The Psoriasis, is a big problem on my hands/feet I guess my immune

system has taken a beating and my body can't fight off the psoriasis.

A few years ago I went to a dermatologist, and the topical cream he

gave me worked for a while, then it came back worse than before...I

am allergic to Lanolin in lotions, and some topical cream have lanolin in them.

I haven't seen a dermatologist in quite some time. I guess I gave up on them

helping me. I do use creams my family doctor

prescribes for me and they help a little bit.

WOW, we do have some things in common, both having surgery on the

knee as well as symptoms above....I hope your surgery helped you..

(Bless your heart!) I know all too well what knee pain feels like. I

am not looking forward to getting my surgery done, but would like to

get it over with, and I sure hope it helps me get around better.

Thank you for talking with me, it does help to talk about it.

Take Care,

Deborah Brock

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim,

Bare Foot huh...hmmm...does sound like a good deal. I really like the

name, as I hate to wear shoes...lol. I'm going to Walmart tomorrow

and I will buy the Bare Foot cream and give it a try. I heard from my

sister today and she said tea tree oil will help my hands / feet,

then I read your reply and you suggested it too...sounds like this

might work...its worth a try, my skin needs to relax.

Thank you for your help.

Take Care,

Deborah Brock

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yup, looks like it is certainly psoriasis. Some of the little bumps

on my feet looks like blood under the skin and spreading all over the

bottom of my feet and palms of my hands, and itch bad at times. Then

peels off...It feels good to talk with those who understand.

I guess I did jump in and join you all this evening

Thank you for your kind words, it really helps a lot.

Take Care,

Deborah Brock

[Guest guest]

Deborah, Please, no apologies.  Sometimes we need to just rest.                 

                                                        More and more, I'm

realizing that when you have a lot of things going on, the doctors don't

necessarily have the explanation of what's causing what.  It seems my diagnosis

and/or symptoms go on and on.  I was tested for MG but I didn't go so far as the

spinal tap.  The doctor did treat me with Mestinon for a while and when it

didn't stop the dysphonia, he ruled out MG.  He said it was just neuromuscular. 

I've had other neurological symptoms such as weakness, double vision (a few

times) and tingling too.  Muscle pain and weakness can be explained by arthritis

and/or fibro.  Tingling, can be explained by pinched nerves and a lot of spinal

arthritis.  (I've had 2 back surgeries for herniation in my spine.)   At the

time, my rheumy took me off Enbrel just in case it was drug induced symptoms.  I

was tested for MS too.  My mother has MS.  In the end, I really don't have a

clear answer on what causes the neuro symptoms..  The one that bothers me the

most is dysphonia, as people treat you differently if your speech is slurred -

especially in business.  I've been thinking of getting a consult and chasing

down that symptom some, as it's very frustrating.  Till now, it's taken a back

seat, as my plate has been full with my body - 2 back surgeries, 1 broken ankle

(2 surgeries), 3 joint replacements and a few gyno outpatient surgeries in the

last 2.5 years.  I'm tired.                                     

                                                                    And

similar to you, I fell a lot and was a clumsy kid - - that's what led to my

diagnosis of arthritis when I was 8.  This week I watched " mystery diagnosis "

and now wonder if my neuro symptoms are/were the result of a b12

deficiency.  B12 deficiency has come up a few times and again last week.  It

could explain neuro symptoms, double vision, GI problems, etc.  I see the

hematologist in 2 weeks and plan to discuss this with him.  The hematologist

treats my anemia (sometimes iron infusions) and my history of deep vein

thrombosis (DVT).  I recently stopped the blood thinners and will be tested in a

few weeks for my risk of another clot.  I've had genetic testing previously but

he said the testing is more sophisticated.  The rheumy and hemo doctors think

that my DVTs and anemia are related to my immune system.                     

                                                                               

                            My psoriasis is almost always on my scalp, forehead

and spots on the body.  I'm not always diligent with the creams, as I don't feel

they work all that well.  In the past, when things got bad, the light box

treatments at the dermatologist. cleared up the spots.  I don't have it on my

hands, other than nails.  On the feet, I've only

recently got it around the toe nails.  

                                                                     So at the

end of the day, it's hard to say what's immune system, what's drug induced or

what's just separate conditions.    We have to figure things out on our own,

through research and/or consultation until we have answers.  I hope you feel

better and that your surgery gives you relief.  I'm so happy with the results of

my joint replacements!  Like you, I just wanted the surgeries behind me and

wanted to reap the benefits of the surgery.  Feel free to write directly to my

e-mail if you wish.  I know that neuro issues, isn't the point of this group,

though others may have some similar immune issues which relate to their PA. 

: 

gilchrist414@...                                                          \

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[Guest guest]

Oh Boy you might as well as been describing me... I was a clumsy kid...

teenager, adult lol Ok graceful I'm not. I can sprain and ankle walking on a

smooth surface! I have the psoriasis on my scalp all the time and the spots seem

to pop up here and there all over. They come last for a few years and then go

away and appear somewhere else.  Creams do not ever seem to work for me. My

mother used to tell me not to scratch and do the strangest things to me.. glad

wrap comes to mind. the arthritis didn't start till the last few years though

and didn't get painful enough to warrant a doctors visit till a year ago. I

honestly thought everyone's hands swelled up if they went for a walk or knees

and feet would swell if you sat for long stretches.  My pain isn't too bad

though and really I only hurt really bad on rainy or cold days but living in

Southern California  does help in that aspect. I wear neoprene gloves to bed at

night and on most days I can wear my wedding

ring.

Cheryl

'

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

With the slurring of your words have you also been checked for ALS

(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sometimes it can begin this way. My mother had

this and it occurred just like that..she was misdiagnosed until she went to a

good neurologist.I would encourage you

to at least look into it for your own piece of mind.

Good Luck!

Diane