Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
I was surprised to read this:
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Approximately 10% of people with psoriasis develop a specific type of psoriatic arthritis. This is an affliction of the joints particularly at the tips of fingers and toes and occasionally in the lumbar joints causing a low backache.
-and-
About 10 percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic [pronounced sore-ee-AA-tic] arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.
Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis can relieve pain and inflammation and possibly help prevent progressive joint involvement and damage. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can potentially be disabling and crippling.
I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis years and years ago, by a doctor who was extremely knowledgeable about skin diseases. Since then some doctors have seemed dismissive about this diagnosis, but I've continued to believe it's correct. Anyway, I've had arthritis in my hands for years -- and have always called my hip condition arthritis, too. (Even though I've had doctors tell me it's bursitis. (Whatever!)
(I've probably had the actual psoriasis my entire life. I had 'bad' knees and elbows as a child that no one seemed to realize where because of a skin condition! Interesting, isn't it? My grandmother had it and my mother had it a bit, too...)
My recent lower back pain was driving me crazy, wondering what could have caused it. But I've had a recent flare up of my psoriasis, so now after reading about the back pain associated with psoriatic arthritis, I feel relieved. It's not great to have the condition, but there's always something good about knowing what it is that causes the pain we have!
Anyway, I'm not trying to dwell on this, which I never have. It's a chronic condition that I live with. No big deal. I'm just fascinated to have found the above linked website -- and information I've never had before. Good things!
I'm less sore than when I woke up from my nap, believe it or not. I assume I'll be more sore tomorrow, but soreness from exercise is always a good kind of soreness! I've got to keep at it!