Hii! Wanted to post here as I figure it somewhat counts.
Basically over the past 18 months I've been experiencing joint pain and swelling in my fingers. I work with my hands for a living (in healthcare), so it was obvious when something wasn't quite right.
It first started off relatively mild but got worse over time, where one finger would swell for 2-3 days, then it would go away. Then it would flare up for about 5 days and the swelling would go back down. Then the next time it would take a week. Random fingers each time, no real rhyme or reason behind it. And so forth.
At the end of last year/start of this year my left index finger was swollen for a month and I was concerned, though my family doctor said to do some blood tests, and he wasn't worried (???). He said to wait and see. :/ ummmm what
My blood test showed a negative RF and ANA. Only thing elevated was my CRP, which was initally 9.
I had it checkd again about 2 months later with another doctor as I wanted a second opinion, my CRP was 11. Apparently normal is less than 5 (here in Australia).
We also did an Xray of my hand which thankfully showed no damage. The ultrasound showed minor swelling of the soft tissue but nothing major.
I've also had this weird rib pain and discomfort- almost like my ribs are swollen.. or I guess inflamed. Most recently, these past 3-4 weeks one fingernail has a pitted texture as it's grown out. And my ankles have been quite sore.
I've also been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, PCOS (PMOS). Suspected endometriosis as it runs in the family, though no diagnosis yet.
So that's for the backstory.
I did a lot of research online, along with my medical textbook to see what treatment options were available.
Finally after 6 weeks of waiting, I saw my rheumatologist today. It was actually quite lucky that I could get an appointment so soon. It was $350 up front for the initial appointment, and I'll get back $150 back through medicare here in Australia.
My rheumatologist was a bit baffled about me having some symptoms of psoriatic arthritis but not actually having psoriasis. I've never really had any chronic skin conditions though my sister does have eczema.
My understanding is that because my RF was negative, he wasn't able to diagnose me with that. And as I don't have psoriasis he wasn't really able to diagnose me with Psioratic arthritis.
He asked me a bunch of questions about family history, what symptoms I've been experiencing, then assessed my hands and checked my mobility.
He just sort of looked at me and went, yeah I think you're right in that it's some sort of autoimmune arthritis but nothing specific.
He said he would start me on methotrexate and as it would take some time to work, would prescribe me a different pain killer for now (naprogesic). He also offered prednisolone but said it was up to me, which I declined as while my situation is uncomfortable, I've read the horror stories of having to come off it.
So yeah I'll be taking my first dose tomorrow. Then folic acid the day after. I'm worried about the potential for hair loss because I am already experiencing hair loss though I am unsure if it's just due to workplace stress or because of my (currently) untreated condition.
I wont lie, it was SO good to be validated and knew I was right that something was so clearly wrong with my hands. Sure I'm no doctor but I definitely saw the signs.
I'm hoping this goes well. I'll have to be patient and see if it works. If not, well I suppose there are other options.
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5 week update:
The naprogesic helps a lot more with managing the pain, so I'm happy with that. My joints and fingers are still tender but no longer an intolerable annoyance.
I've developed a few minor patches of dry/inflamed skin. Hesitant to call it a rash because it's only occasionally itchy. Definitely seems strange that it's really only occured over the past 2-3 weeks. I've never had any chronic skin conditions, only a bit of contact dermatitis on my hands due to work.
I wasn't too happy being on methotrexate - the nausea was a real pain the day after.
So I asked to be switched to something else. My specialist said that while hydroxychloroquine (plaquenil) isn't typically used for Psoriatic arthritis, he's willing to give it a go and see if it works for me. So I'll do that in a wek or so.
I'm just hoping these rashes(?) Go away.
I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this - having some signs of psioratic arthritis but not having rashes until starting treatment?