New member ...difficulty getting diagnosis

[Guest guest]

I honestly don't know IF I even have Psoriatic Arthritis exceot that

one of the three Rheum I have seen finally told me that is what I

have and put me on Enbrel. I was just checking the " files " in the

group folder section and came across a file for " disease history "

which would really be interesting to me...however, there was nothing

there.

My own situation is that I don't really know what I have but my

hands are essentially ruined. I do not have the skin patches so it

is not an easy case to read. The PIP joints on the middle and pinkie

finger of both hands and both thumbs are severely damaged and

inflammed. This all happened within a 5 year period so it is very

aggressive. I am 56 years old. Also have Fibromyalgia and

osteoarthritis. Rheum. put me on Methotrexate a few years ago but I

became quite ill and had to stop it. Then tried Enbrel but it did

not work. Finally had total joint replacements on two of my fingers

in September (so far, that at least helped with the pain and I can

move the fingers now...I have to say, I was overjoyed to have this

option of getting the joints out and the implants in..if anyone

wants information I am glad to share).

What I need now is a diagnosis....I still have inflammation , even

around the artificial joints and finally started a low dose of

prednisone which has it calmed down. Need the left hand surgery done

pretty soon but wonder what is really causing all my problems. None

of the Rheumatologists seem to know. The first guy said " sero-

negative Rheumatoid Arthritis " , the next one said, " " degrnerative,

inflammatory osteoarthritis " and the recent diagnosis of " Psoriatic

arthritis " .

Anyone out there had similar problems getting a diagnosis? What have

you done? I am thinking of going to the Mayo Clinic (since this is

where my particular type of artificial joints were developed) or

somewhere similar...I live in the Northeast. Any suggestions?

I worry about this progressing out of control because nobody really

knows what it is.

You can write to me directly.

Thanks!

Liz