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Psoriatic arthritis without psoriasis?

Hello, I have been suffering with osteoarthritis in my neck and shoudler and random joint pain for many years now. Lately though my hips have decided to join the chat and the pain has become horrendous to the point where I dream about hip pain which then wakes me up. The pain literally makes me feel nauseous. It's like burning, sharp, tender pain. Like someone injected poison into my joints. When my time of the month arrives so does the pain. My knees become puffy and sore but nowhere near the extent of my hips. I had an xray and the GP diagnosed osteoarthritis in my inferior hip joints. But then I had a call from another GP in the surgery asking me to go in for an appointment. He said he believes I have psoriatic arthritis and asked if I had any family history. Both of my kids have suffered from psoriasis on and off and my mum has psoriatic arthritis but never had a patch of psoriasis until she was 70. My nan had both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis really badly. But somehow it never occurred to me that I might have it too. I've been self diagnosing myself as being a lazy cow for years and saying just get on with it to myself. Over the last year though the hip pain has become unbearable and I've also developed a lot of stiffness in my joints all over.

I have never had any skin issues but I have had a lot of sinus problems which I read can be linked to PO.

My pain always exasperates at that time of the month and I just feel generally puffy. I have an active job and I'm always on the go at work but as soon as I stop moving everything stiffens up. Once I get going again it improves. So I spend a lot of time pacing around like a pigeon because I feel like if I stop I might not get started again. When I get up in the morning my hips snap really loudly. They snap all day long but it's worse when I get up.

Does this sound like PA? The pain I feel is so sharp and sore like my blood is made of acid or something.

  1. Hello , thanks for reaching out and sharing your story with us here. While we aren't medical professionals and can't diagnose you, I will say that it is possible to have PsA without the psoriasis. And, there does seem to be a possible genetic link for some people (here is an article with more information on that, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/clinical/genetic). Of course, only your doctor can diagnosis you or tell you for sure whether the pain you've been experiencing is due to psoriatic arthritis or caused by something else.

    I also wanted to include an article with some more information on symptoms, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/psa-symptoms, as well as diagnosis, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/medical-history-exam-diagnose. I do hope that your doctor can give you some more clarity on what's causing your pain and what might help you get relief.

    Please let us know if you have other questions, and, if you're comfortable, what you hear from your doctor. This community is here for you! Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)

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