For the last 2.5 months, I have had general fatigue and weakness in both arms and hands. Also, both wrists and all of my 10 fingers hurt – 24×7. Some days the pain is worse than other days. There is a lot of stiffness after I type for sometime. Also, I feel like popping my fingers all the time…to feel some relief.

All blood tests (ESR, Mono, Lyme, Rheumatoid Factor) came negative. X-rays show nothing abnormal. MRI shows a tear in TFCC in the right wrist, a small cyst in the right wrist, and some fluid build up in the left wrist.

The Ortho surgeon said that the tear is most likely due to overuse (I have an 18-month old who I lift etc). Otherwise, he did not know what to conclude regarding the pain in ALL fingers. He said I should see if the pain level changes in the next couple of months, and then come back.

I am a 30 year old female, and Arthritis runs in my mother’s side of the family. A cousin got diagnosed of Psoriatic Arthritis at the age of 30 (she had a long history of Psoriasis, I don’t have any).

Can these issues that MRI showed cause all this pain? Do you think I could have Arthritis? What else (other than blood tests, X-rays and MRI) is required to diagnose Arthritis? Please share similar stories if any….

I have had chronic rib pain for two years and need a diagnosis and treatment? While playing basketball about 18 months ago I received a sharp blow to my lower left back (ribs) which seemingly caused some sort of soft/connective tissue damage to the ribs but on the front side (I am guessing they protruded forward from the force of the blow, causing the damage). X-rays and CT were both clear but the pain still persists 28 months later! Anti-inflammatories have helped at times (I’ve take mobic with some fleeting success and taking Advil now), but the pain isn’t really subsiding much and has stayed fairly constant for the past year (though it only hurts when I am seated). The other complicating factor is that I have psoriasis, which raises the question as to whether this could be Psoriatic Arthritis.

The chiropractor I have worked with says I have intercostal neuritis and said that a few treatments should be able to address the problem but I don’t see much about intercostal neuritis from the MD world. Potential therapies I’ve read about include nerve blocks, anti-inflammatories, remicade).

Does anyone have a recommendation as to what type of health care professional I should see next (in order of likelihood of successful treatment)? My options are: Rheumatologist, Orthopaedist, physiatrist, acupuncturist. Aside from intercostal nueritis or psoriatic arthritis, I suppose I could have Forestier’s disease. Further thoughts?
6 months ago (Tiebreaker)

Additional Details
The pain is in the lowest two sets of ribs on the front left side. It probably isn’t costochondritis since that is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum) which is in the middle of the best.

First off I’m 18 and I have really mild plaque psoriasis and I think I may be developing psoriatic arthritis eventually as well due to joint inflammation and pain I have occasionally. I rarely get psoriasis anywhere besides inside my ears though because of the climate I’m in right now.

Two days ago I was out shopping when a spot on my wrist began to itch. I saw no bumps of any sort to indicate that it was a bug bite but after I continued scratching it, it started to look like it might be just a bug bite as it started to have a bump. I got another one later that night on my finger but this one had no bump and it still doesn’t. It’s just a little swollen, red, and extremely itchy. Both of them have gotten unbearably itchy. If I don’t touch them for a while it goes away but just the slightest touch brings it back. Scratching it at all makes it so much worse and makes it swell more and burn. I got another one on my leg and a small one (that looks more like a bug bite) on my arm as well that day. But all at different times and not always when I was in the same place which makes it hard for me to believe that they’re all really itchy bug bites. I thought it might be related to my psoriasis but they’re not usually on joints. (not that my psoriasis is always on joints) I suppose it’s possible that it’d be bed bugs or something but I have trouble believing that one of them followed me to the mall all day before biting me on the wrist. lol I keep expecting them to get better but they only show signs of getting worse. It’s probably not as big of a deal as I’m acting like it is but I just wanted to be sure that it wasn’t a sign of any other psoriasis related condition or anything. Oh and anti itch cream does absolutely nothing.

I recently took my second set of shots on Stelera on 3/26/10 and since this past weekend I’m in full blown psoriasis out break. I was on Raptiva and Enbrel for the psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis until they took Raptiva off the market.

Sterela was meant to replace these other drugs and be the new treatment. I’m so disappointed and have no clue what to do. I’ve tried every drug and creams on the market to treat this disease and nothing but those two drugs I was previous on worked. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? My Dermatologist is out of town and saw his PA this week and she had nothing to offer me but cream for the itching.

It’s weird to have arthritis at a young age, but that’s what psoriasis does I didn’t have many lesions so I though I was so lucky, but I’ve started hurting more, and researching and I know I have the type that attacks the neck and spine.

Im 38 & I have joint pain in my fingers, toes, and now my left knee, as well as in the back of my neck. I have had psoriasis for about 15 yrs and everything points to psoriatic arthritis.

I am on a low sodium diet. Here is why–I have quite a few health problems–including, but not limited to, hypothyroidism, hypokalemia (low potassium), hyperaldesteronism (overactive adrenals), hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), kyphosis (a form of scoliosis), Fibromyalgia, major depression, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Sleep Apnea, Premature ventricular contractions, Narcolepsy, severe Edema issues, and no telling what all else! On top of all of that, I was born deaf-blind due to Congenital Rubella Syndrome–mom got the german measles when she was preggers with me. So as you can see, I got quite a few problems……so it is imperative that I follow a strict diet with as little sodium as possible.

I hope somebody can help point me in the right direction so I can finally enjoy macroni and cheese again. TIA!

I have been experiencing severe joint pain in my knees, wrists, fingers, toes, and ankles. I have been to the rheumatologist numerous times, had blood drawn 3 times. The doctor doesn’t seem to think that it is rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. He thinks it may be psoriatic arthritis, which I don’t have psoriasis, just the genetic disposition for it. A couple people have suggested that I have my thyroid checked because joint pain can be caused by an underactive thyroid.

I am 22 years old, female, feel tired constantly, irregular menstrual periods, severe menstrual cramps, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, all of which I’ve seemed to find to be hypothyroid symptoms.

I guess what I really want to know is if anyone with hypothyroidism has experienced severe joint pain due to the hypothyroidism? Thanks!

I am starting a team to walk in the National Psoriasis walk for awareness and I need help with cute/ funny names. I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The other girl has just the arthritis with no visible psoriasis (yet). we are a team of fun loving blondes. the other girls on the team are friends. I came up with a few ideas, but the need more to them. Please help. Here is what I have so far:
inflamed
inflamed blondes
flakey blondes
?????

I have a few health problems that are chronic and very, very expensive. I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and I take Remicade and Methotrexate for it. If I didn’t, my body would be covered in red lesions (I’ve been covered up to 70% of my body) and I’d be walking with a cane, preparing to have hip replacement. I know I need this treatment. Remicade is EXTREMELY expensive. My doctor’s office used to let me make payments…but they’ve changed their policy and you have to pay upfront. I have insurance, but I have to pay a very large deductible. This, plus the daily meds I take for the condition, plus meds for high bp, depression, and GERD, cost a helluva lot of money.

I had bronchitis for three months starting in October of last year. Long story short, they discovered I have a slightly deviated septum and an old infection in my sinuses. I took meds, and now I’m supposed to have a second CT of the sinuses…and I know that they’re going to find that I’m no better. The next step could be surgery. I’m feeling EXTREMELY guilty about how much my problems literally cost my family. I quit smoking and started eating better…but it’s not helping any of my conditions get better. This sinus thing is not a life or death situation here, or a question of mobility like my arthritis is. I’m tempted to blow it off. Yes, I have a chronic sore throat. No, I really can’t sing anymore…but I’m not a professional, I just sing at church and civic theater. I get so worried when I think about how much all these medical things cost, and with the economy the way it is, I know we could go broke in no time. What would you do if you were me? How important is it to fix this?