I was diagnosed with psoriasis when I was a kid and with psoriatic arthritis when I was about 16. It was just in my knee at the time. Over the years it has spread to where now I have it in: my hands, elbows, shoulders, spine, right knee, ankles, feet and toes.
I can't completely straighten my right arm due to permanent damage in my elbow, one of my toes is bent from it and very painful. My right knee and sometimes my left are so swollen I have trouble bending them. Depending on where the pain currently is, certain daily tasks are hard for me.
My treatment
I am currently on Humira shots, once every two weeks and methotrexate pills. The Humira has made a major improvement in my life. The only draw back is that it lowers my ability to fight illness so when I get sick I have to go off the shots until I am better.
**UPDATE 6/25/2008. I am now on Embrel and have been for a few months. World of difference!!! I can move!! No idea how long it will last but I am enjoying every minute of it**
My notes are in italics
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic (sore-EE-AA-tick) arthritis is a rheumatic condition ,a disease of the joints, and is often seen in combination with skin that is red, dry, and scaly ,psoriatic skin lesions.
Psoriasis is a common skin condition affecting 2% of the Caucasian population in the United States. Approximately 10% of patients who have psoriasis also develop an associated inflammation of their joints (which means it is pretty rare and I really "beat the odds" to get it lol). Patients who have inflammatory arthritis and psoriasis are diagnosed as having psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis is a systemic rheumatic disease that can also cause inflammation in body tissues away from the joints other than the skin, such as in the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Psoriatic arthritis shares many features with several other arthritic conditions, such as ankylosising spondylitis, reactive arthritis (formerly Reiter's syndrome), and arthritis associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. All of these conditions can cause inflammation in the spine and other joints, and the eyes, skin, mouth, and various organs. In view of their similarities and tendency to cause inflammation of the spine, these conditions are collectively referred to as "spondyloarthropathies."
What psoriatic arthritis can do to your joints
Psoriatic arthritis may involve the spine, hands, shoulders, elbows, feet, knees, or ankles (HEY, I have it is all of those, do I win for my can do spirit? lol ). It can cause: Progressive joint damage , General joint stiffness , Pain and stiffness in the lower back, neck, and upper back (I have all those too, when I decide to get a debilitating disease I go all the way lol). The inflamed joints become painful, swollen, hot, and red.
What else can psoriatic arthritis do?
Aside from arthritis and spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis can cause inflammation in other organs, such as the eyes, lungs, and aorta. Inflammation in the colored portion of the eye (iris) causes iritis, a painful condition that can be aggravated by bright light as the iris opens and closes the opening of the pupil. Corticosteroids injected directly into the eyes are sometimes necessary to decrease inflammation and prevent blindness. Inflammation in and around the lungs (pleuritis) causes chest pain, especially with deep breathing, as well as shortness of breath. Inflammation of the aorta (aortitis) can cause leakage of the aortic valve valves, leading to heart failure and shortness of breath.
