Psoriatic arthritis?

[Guest guest]

I am looking for some ideas/suggestions/help with a patient I have been seeing

for about 18 months. The presenting complaint is swelling and stiffness in her

hands. It effects both sides, the swelling is jelly like, between the knuckles

and down the fingers, the stiffness means that she cant straighten her fingers,

her hands and arms feel weak, the fingers are not hot or painful just swollen.

She also has very dry eyes which often feel gritty. She does get some pain and

occasional swelling in her knees and ankles although she puts this down to too

much dancing.

She has been like this since 2007 when she had a flu like illness which lead to

inflammation in her hands, arms, knees and ankles which over about 6 months

receded to just her hands. The medics initially thought it was carpel tunnel and

now think it is RA but are not sure and prescribed methotrexate which she took

but stopped due to side effects. Her mother has a diagnosis of psoriatic

arthritis but neither her nor her mother have any skin plaques.

I have managed to make some improvement in the swelling and mobility but the

hands ( and elbows) are still quite stiff. I am currently giving her Menyathes

20, Glyc 1:1 20, Apium 20, Urtica 20, Arctium 20, Capsicum 3. She also takes

Borage oil (she is vegan) and Bvits. She had a break from this Rx over xmas due

to a missed appointment and her hands began to swell again so it is obviously

helping but not quite resolving the issue.

Does anyone have experince with this condition? If so any suggestions as where

to go next?

Thanks

Tim Moorhouse