I have suffered for the last 5 years from some unknown spondyloarthropathy – possibly ankylosing spondylitis. I’ve never received a definitive diagnosis from my rheumatologist; he’s just slowly eliminated the possibility of other diseases through testing. One of the symptoms that is most pronounced on me is oedema above and below all my major joints (knees especially). He has said that this is enthesopathy – inflammation at the point where ligaments and tendons attach to bone. Although I am greatful that I do not eroded or swollen joints, this inflammation of the tendons and ligaments is no less painful. The joints themselves do ache at times, but are not red or swollen. My concern now is that these attachment points could begin to erode the bone and cause deformity. My question is: Is this enthesopathy a symptom of AS? Should I be concerned about ankylosing joints – is this the beginning of the ankylosing process? My hips and shoulders have already lost some range of motion, is my spine next? I can already hearing the “popping” noise in my spine upon movement, that I usually in hear in my other joints. Is this noise actually the inflamed tendon sheaths? And is that what is causing the soft tissue swelling around the joints? And finally, what can be done to slow this process (over the short term to reduce the swelling and over the long term to prevent deformity)?

6 or 7 weeks ago I became ill with shingles. From that the dermatologist said I developed plaque psoriasis under my breast. Since that outbreak which I still have – is being treated topically – I have also had an outbreak of the guttate kind all over the front of my body from below neck to below breasts and allover my back to bottom of spine. I have had two flareups of joint pain and swelling and also urinary infections. I think the guttate kind has finally stopped breaking out. It reached my wrists and stopped. ( also covers arms starting at top and working down. Should I be treated for this joint pain or ignore it and it will go away. I do not have nail involvement or bent joints.

I am 37 years old female. Have been recently diagnosed with arthritis associated with my Soriasis (diagnosed 6 months ago) but have been having pain at my temple. Excrutiating jaw pain and was immediately put on 40 mg. of prednisone. Since, i was told i had TMJ (by an ENT and my dentist) and that was causing my temple pain. I have also had some vison problems that I was told was coming from the Prednisone. Although the biopsy is still an option, everyone immediately states that I am too young for temporal arteritis, and say that the TMJ is causing most of the symptoms. Has there ever been a case of a young person with this? Because the biopsy is not 100% proof, I’m concerned about having it done but obviously concerned that it could be overlooked because of my age.

Any clinical overview on the role of leflunomide in psoriatic arthritis?

I have psoriatic arthritus. I take an injection weekly of methotrexate. I have done this for several years now. I want to quit taking it. Can I safely quit it “cold turkey?” i.e. immediately or should I take steps of some sort?