Guest guest Posted May 2, 2004 Report Share Posted May 2, 2004 Psoriatic arthritis (PA) and RA differ in several ways, but PA can be symmetrical and quite destructive, too. Normally, PA is not associated with nodules or a positive RF. The great majority of people with PA also have psoriasis. Please check out the links I sent on PA for more detailed information. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] I confess > (head hung in shame) My dx is not RA anymore- it is PA- psoriatic arthritis. I say RA to people like the kids teachers when they meet me at the door of the classroom and it takes me so long to walk across the room- or when someone at the store says Hey Lady- you cannot park in handicapped (Yes, I have a placard- but- people still yell- even when I am hobbling to grab the nearest cart to walk with) > My doc said the biggest difference is PA is not symmetrical, my left and right sides flare independant...and also each finger and toe flares independant- and each joint of each finger and toe. I think he said PA is generally NOT as destructive, but then he checked my XRays and - bit his tongue. Quite a few toes have dissolved bones- both wrists, many fingers- (thats as far as he checked with Xrays) and----- then I also have lots of calcium deposits- base of both thumbs, wrists heels, ankles, shoulders.. (I know the shoulders from previously when I had a workers comp shoulder injury) > I think really this is about the entire sum of everything he has told me about my illness. Kinda told me learn as I go, play it by ear, look online.. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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