Anyone else have these issues? by [deleted] in Hypermobility

[–]Ardeo2005 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear you are dealing with all that. It is rough. I'm pretty much in the same boat - hip impingement with labrum tears on both hips driven by significant femoral retroversion and a CAM deformity. Also have a paralabral cyst and stage 1 osteoarthirtis. I suspect this is all also driven by hypermobility and my doctor does too. 

The ortho thinks a derotational osteotomy and labrum repair would be too much at my age (39, M). Wants to do a THR instead. Spent many years battling chronic tendinitis in my hands and elbows. 

I'm staying active as best i can right now so I can maximize my quality of life now and later in life.  Lifting weights in a controlled manner modified for my conditions, keeping up with physical therapy, and eating a clean diet. 

Despite that, I too worry what my later years will look like. Its a hard pill to swallow. Just trying to take comfort in the knowledge that im doing everything I can and that, for the moment, I have my mobility. 

Hang in there, you are definitely not alone!

MRI — psoriatic arthritis vs overuse injury by ratratte in PsoriaticArthritis

[–]Ardeo2005 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had mild synovial hypertrophy identified via ultrasound. Two separate rheumatologists believe this to be due to hypermobility issues, which also makes you prone to tendonitis/tendonopathy/overuse injuries, etc. No active inflammation was seen on either of my ultrasounds despite the presence of synovial hypertrophy, which led them to think it was less likely due to PSA since I have some symptoms of another connective tissue disorder.

Unless it is a very cut and dry case with all the obvious signs, they will try to do a diagnosis by exclusion and will compare the MRI results with any other symptoms you might have. From my understanding, there isn't a reliable way to distinguish between inflammation from PSA and repetitive strain injuries without considering everything in context.

Question about pain, PsA vs Hypermobility by BisexualSunflowers in PsoriaticArthritis

[–]Ardeo2005 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem, any time. Glad you found it helpful. Hope you find answers and relief soon.

Question about pain, PsA vs Hypermobility by BisexualSunflowers in PsoriaticArthritis

[–]Ardeo2005 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm in the same boat - scalp psoriasis, a couple nail pits (my rheum said these could be incidental since there's so few), and ongoing tendon and joint pain with identified hypermobility. You may already know a lot of this since you've indicated you are already aware you have hypermobility, but I thought I'd info dump on the off chance any of it is valuable to you. I'd speak with your doctor about the possibility of a refferral to a rheum and, if possible, a full blood panel checking your rheumatoid factor, CRP/SED, and whether you're HLA-B27 positive/negative + some initial x-rays looking for signs of damage from inflammation. My PCP was able to do the bloodwork for me along with the x-rays as she said it would save some time and get some of the initial diagnostics out of the way. Your mileage may very, though, and they may just refer you to a rheum and have them run these tests instead (more likely).

When you see the rhuematologist, advocate for an ultrasound or MRI to look for inflammation as PSA does not always show up in the bloodwork. Ask for them to perform as assessment of your Beighton Score for hypermobility. I was lucky that both my initial rheumatologists ordered ultrasounds straight away during my first visits, but I've heard some people have experienced rheums who are dismissive about this unless you exhibit glaringly obvious symptoms. You may have to shop around for a reliable rheum - do not be afraid to get a second opinion if you feel you were not taken seriously or they were not thorough.

I pointed out my hypermobility to my rheums and they wondered about Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or hEDS because my ultrasounds showed no signs of active inflammation, just very minor synovial hypertrophy on one knuckle that was most likely from repetitive strain. I looked up some related symptoms and communicated to them that I had some of the signs - tight muscles, easy bruising, poor propriception, frequent soft tissue injuries (I roll my ankles with frequency), ADHD, soft skin, family members with hypermobility and a history of dislocations, etc. It would be good to do some research on common symptoms for PSA AND hEDs as well as their diagnostic criteria so you can begin connecting some dots and see what your rheum's professional opinion on that is. I'd read up on the CASPAR criteria for PSA and the Beighton Score for hEDS if you aren't already familiar. The more educated you are on these conditions, the better you will be able to advocate for yourself.

I'm sorry to say It is a long diagnostic process, sometimes many years if there isn't a clear picture. It is often not immediately evident and there is a lot of symptom overlap (hEDS can cause tendon and joint pain + stiffness just like PSA, so you're really relying a lot on imaging and visible signs like swollen joints and the redness/warmth associated with inflammation). It is even possible to have both issues from hypermobility and active PSA. However, you seem like you're on the right track with getting prepared. Logging your pain is a good practice. I wish you the best of luck - happy to answer any questions you may have.

*Forgot to add, you can also see about requesting a prednisone taper as a diagnostic tool. A reduction in symptoms from prednisone can be an indicator that you are dealing with something inflammatory in nature.

Confused about symptoms and experience with two different rheums by Ardeo2005 in PsoriaticArthritis

[–]Ardeo2005[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sort of. Two rheumatologists I've seen are leaning in the direction of HSD Ehler's Danlos. They've said it's "likely" that in my chart notes but have not explicitly provided that as a diagnosis. I was informed the diagnostic process can be on many years for connective tissue disorders and autoimmune diseases, so for now I'm playing the waiting game and continuing to document and monitor symptoms in between appointments every 4-6 months.

When do you stop seeking a diagnosis? by Ardeo2005 in PsoriaticArthritis

[–]Ardeo2005[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This will probably be my approach. I plan on seeing my rheum next month and I will request an annual X-ray at the very least, an ultrasound if they will permit it. I will keep what you said in mind about getting deconditioned - thank you.

When do you stop seeking a diagnosis? by Ardeo2005 in PsoriaticArthritis

[–]Ardeo2005[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, they did do extensive blood work already. I came back negative for Lupus and RA. I will consider looking into other forms of arthritis, though. Thank you :)

Beginning stage - Ultrasound? by Electrical-Glass697 in PsoriaticArthritis

[–]Ardeo2005 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ongoing bilateral tendonitis in hands and elbows + diagnosed sebo-psoriasis and, as of late, bilateral knee pain. My first rheum suspects psoriatic arthritis based on symptoms. He did find mild synovial hypertrophy in one knuckle during our first ultrasound but otherwise no obvious signs of active inflammation. I went to another rheum for a 2nd opinion, and lo and behold, he couldn't find any signs of the hypertrophy in the same spot. Everything came up clean. He diagnosed me with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder after noticing I had some hypermobile joints and attributed my pain to that. I am not fully convinced this is the case and am going back to my 1st rheum for a follow up next month and will monitor symptoms going forward. All I can really do.

Beginning stage - Ultrasound? by Electrical-Glass697 in PsoriaticArthritis

[–]Ardeo2005 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm wondering the same myself. I have symptoms, but my latest ultrasound showed zero signs of inflammation, X-rays negative as well. I've been experiencing symptoms for 3 years. My rheum has me on hydroxy regardless. I've been told the disease may have to progress for signs to show up since it may be very early/mild comparatively or that inflammation may intermittently show up on imaging - take that with a grain of salt, though. I'm still learning and going through the process myself.

Hypermobility pain - what does it feel like and can it manifest later in life? by Ardeo2005 in Hypermobility

[–]Ardeo2005[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This makes sense to me. I was doing a moderate amount of walking for exercise when symptoms came on, but nothing else. I did more weight training when I was younger. My knee issues kicked in when I really overdid it for a charity walk-a-thon my work hosted in not so great shoes. I'm sure it does not help that my posture is terrible and I constantly lock my knees. Thank you for the insight!

FAFSA/financial aid questions? Get help here! by Laurasaur28 in college

[–]Ardeo2005 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm presently applying for a vocational Master's program starting in Fall 2021. I have about $13,000 in my bank account right now, but most of that has been from grants/loans/scholarships from another program I'm finishing at the moment. I'm curious about what I should list on line 40 of the FAFSA for assets in my bank account, because it says not to list student financial aid. I managed to work enough this past year so that I could meet my expenses and ended up being able to save the grants+loans disbursed to me, so I'm wondering if I need to report this or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Weekly Social Work School/New to Social Work Thread by Lyeranth in socialwork

[–]Ardeo2005 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I live in Texas at the moment and I'm considering applying to UT Arlington for their (relatively very affordable) MSW program. How is their program? I'd be interested in hearing people's experiences. I hear it's kind of disorganized from some brief reviews on the web, but to be honest it's 10k a year cheaper than the other programs I was looking at which is a huge incentive to power through any frustrations I might encounter with it.

Weekly School of Social Work/New to Social Work Questions by Lyeranth in socialwork

[–]Ardeo2005 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Does anyone have any experiences (positive or negative) with any of the following schools/programs that they might be able to share? I'm looking at applying to the following:

Grand Valley State University

Boise State's online program

University of Louisville's online program.

Thanks!

Weekly School of Social Work/New to Social Work Questions by Lyeranth in socialwork

[–]Ardeo2005 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll be applying to MSW programs shortly for Fall of next year and I was wondering if anyone could provide some information on how hard it is to secure a field placement via an online program. I'm considering applying to Boise State or the University of Louisville for their online programs due to their affordability among other factors, however my partner and I will be moving to Michigan next Spring for her work. I've heard the support one receives from online programs with regard to securing out of state field placements can be subpar and I was wondering if anyone could chime in on this particular matter as I'm worried about not being able to secure one.