Hello!

[Rosie]

I just found this forum and I am so glad....

I have been suffering for about a year and 3 months with severe stiffness, paresthesias and exhaustion, I also have dry eyes to the point that my vision is blurry and I have a hard time reading..... and my mouth is so dry that I have to have something to drink when i eat or I can't get the food down.... I used to have the stamina to keep on with projects and move on to another... now I have to take a nap after the smallest chore..... soooo not like me.....

I have had a strange rash in the front of my lower leg that I 1st noticed about 6 months ago.... of course, nobody has a clue what it is.... it really doesn't bother me..... it is over a varicose vein and it burns and stings sometimes, but I have just thought that it was my vein.

Anyway.... we have spent about $13,800 trying to figure out what is wrong with me, I have had so many Doctors say they have no idea after the tests don't come back the way they expect.
My primary care doctor said these things "can take 10 years to figure out sometimes"
I can tell the world that I will not make it for 10 years like this!!!!

3 Weeks ago I had an appointment with an awesome Rheumatologist, she noticed "enlarged salivary glands" and then after looking at my leg rash and also noticing "suspicious" spots on my elbows, behind my ears and at the base of my hairline she asked me if I have psoriasis.... to my knowledge, I don't... she asked about family history and I have since learned that my mother's father had a severe case of plaque psoriasis.

I will see the dermatologist tomorrow and she is to diagnose the "rash" and determine if I have psoriasis....
Can she do that in one visit or will there be tests?

The Rheumy put me on Lyrica which has significantly helped with the paresthesias, I still have them but now instead of constantly, it is intermittent like it was when it 1st started....and that's about all that is better

Then I go back to the Rheumatologist on Tuesday..... I hope to have some answers and a treatment plan.... I want my life back!!!

I would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions on what to ask these Dr's....what to expect, etc.....

[Fred]

Hello Rosie to Psoriasis Club

A dermatologist should be able to diagnose psoriasis almost immediately just by looking you over so don't worry to much about tests.

What to expect at your dermatology appointment: You will most likly be asked to remove your clothes down to your underwear, and they will ask you a lot of questions usually related to your family as it is said it lurks around in your genetic make-up waiting to pop up and say hello. Having said that I checked out my large family on both sides when I got psoriasis and could find no-one who had it so it goes to show that although someone has it, it doesn't mean further generations will get it.  

They will probably also do a PASI Score see here: What is the PASI score my dermatologist uses ?
And may also do a DLQI questionnaire see here: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)

As to what to ask I suggest you have a look at the posts in this thread:  Types Of Psoriasis Explained it will arm you with the basic information and also has links to images of Psoriasis.

These images below give an idea of what it looks like, but the links in the thread above will give you much more info.




I hope your appointment goes well, and please do come back and tell us the result (even if it's not psoriasis as it may help others). Please also come back if it is Psoriasis as you will find lots of friendly people here who are always willing to offer support and advice.

Rosie if it is psoriasis, don't worry to much about it as there is so much these days that can be done to help you live with it.

Regards.

Fred.

[Rosie]

Wow!! I had nooooo idea that there are so many types of psoriasis..... great links.... thank you!!!!

What I have on my leg looks exactly like the Psoriasis Guttate.... now, I can't see in and behind my ears, or back of my scalp....but it seems to be very thick and crusty......

Also.... my thumb nails have issues that all the Docs said was from having Celiac, but I have been Gluten free for almost 4 years now and the nails have gotten worse and as soon as they get a little length, they life off and I have to cut them back.... sounds like this may also be psoriasis.....

Also.... good to know I will probably have to strip down to the undies....

Just wondering, since there has been no other explanation.....can psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis cause paresthesias?

Thank you for responding

I will update about the appointment with the Dermatologist tonight......

[Fred]

Just wondering, since there has been no other explanation.....can psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis cause paresthesias?

Interesting question and it does seem so.

Quote:

---

Wkipedia:

Irritation to the nerve can also come from inflammation to the tissue. Joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome are common sources of paresthesia.

Will have to see if I can find more.

[Caroline]

Hello Rosie,

Nice to meet you and a warm welcome to Psoriasisclub. It's good being here, I have found out myself.

You have quite some problems, when I read through your mail.
Of course we all are no doctors, but on the other side we all have our experiences with Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis.
Your story puts at least me on the track of both, as you speak about stiffness. Though to my own experience, paresthesias and exshaustion, do not belong neither to Psoriasis, neither to PsA. But... that is only my own experience.
Stiffness ánd painsensations in the joints of your fingers and feet, not elsewhere, may point to PsA. The other spots, elbows, ears, hairline do point to Psoriasis.
But I read that you have all kind of other complaints. If you did not do it yet, please ask the Rheumatologist if she will check for Lyme's disease.
Furthermore it is very difficult to diagnose Psoriasis or PsA, there are no things that can be measured in your blood or so.

Good luck at your visit to the Rheumotologist, I think it is the best place to be with your psoriasis.

Caroline

[jiml]

Hi Rosie welcome to the club I cant help with your problems only sympathyse. It certainly sounds as if you have Psoriasis. Your dermatologist will diagnose it in a flash. If it is there arem any good treatments to control it. I wish you luck with your other problems and will be interested to read if they are linked, and what treatment you are prescribed.

Jim

[Rosie]

Well.... the dermatologist says I don't have psoriasis, just some scattered eczema and dry skin.....she couldn't explain the fingernail issues but wrote me prescriptions for a bunch of creams that I am not going to get filled.... and charged me $187

So.... back to the drawing board.... my family doesn't understand, they all say that anybody would be happy to be told that they don't have psoriasis.... but I have something that is destroying my life, so to me this means starting all over with the search to figure out what I have wrong with me and then finding the strength to fight it.....

I really appreciate all of the support you all have given me here....

I will keep you posted as to what the Rheumatologist says tomorrow

[Rosie]

Oh.... and I forgot to share with you those words I have really come to hate.... as she was walking out the door she says, "you look great.... you look to good to be sick"..... I just burst into tears.....I am so so tired of hearing this and feeling do darn bad.....

[Caroline]

Oh.... and I forgot to share with you those words I have really come to hate.... as she was walking out the door she says, "you look great.... you look to good to be sick"..... I just burst into tears.....I am so so tired of hearing this and feeling do darn bad.....

Surely that is not fine to hear, in normal circumstance it is, but not in your circumstances. So here a little , to share a bit with what you are going through.
I am curious what the rheumatologist has to say. Did you yourself ever think of Lyme's disease? Was that ever checked with you?

Caroline

[Rosie]

I will definitely ask about Lyme's disease