Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis, often not recognized as caused by Lyme disease, can develop slowly with mild symptoms, or it can develop quickly and be severe. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis can help prevent or limit extensive joint damage that occurs in later stages of the disease.
Generally, one or more of the following symptoms appears:
- Generalized fatigue
- Tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons
- Swollen fingers and toes
- Stiffness, pain, throbbing, swelling and tenderness in one or more joints
- A reduced range of motion
- Morning stiffness and tiredness
- Nail changes—for example, the nail separates from the nail bed and/or becomes pitted and mimics fungus infections
- Redness and pain of the eye, such as conjunctivitis
The disease can develop in a joint after an injury and may mimic a cartilage tear. The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis may sometimes be made only after repeated episodes. Muscle or joint pain can occur without joint inflammation (swelling). Tendonitis and bursitis may be prominent features. Swelling of the fingers and toes can suggest a "sausage-like" appearance, known as dactylitis. Psoriatic arthritis usually affects the distal joints (those closest to the nail) in fingers or toes. The lower back, wrists, knees or ankles also may be affected.
In 85 percent of patients, skin disease precedes joint disease. Therefore, it is important to tell your dermatologist if you have any aches and pains. It is important to note that having a severe case of psoriasis does not necessarily mean a person will have a severe case of psoriatic arthritis. A person could have few skin lesions, but have many joints affected by the arthritis.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Antimalarials
Antimalarial treatment, commonly used with success in rheumatoid arthritis, has sometimes been used to treat psoriatic arthritis.
Antimalarials are usually given as one or two pills, once a day. It may take many months before seeing benefits. Side effects include vision changes (blurring, halos around lights and sensitivity to light), headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Individuals taking an antimalarial should have eye examinations periodically.
Unless you are directed to do so by your doctor, do not take Plaquenil, the most commonly prescribed antimalarial. The use of Plaquenil may cause a severe flare of psoriasis.
Some antimalarials can cause the skin disease to get worse in some individuals. Talk to your doctor about the available antimalarial treatments and alternatives.
Link to this and more information, click here.