Diagnosed with Spondyloarthritis (on Methotrexate), but developed CSU and now suspect Psoriasis on my skin. Anyone else have this overlap?
Hi everyone,
I've been dealing with chronic joint pain for a long time. After a lengthy wait for a referral, I was finally diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis by a rheumatologist about four months ago.
Current Treatment:
Methotrexate: 20mg weekly injections.
Folic Acid: Daily (except on injection days).
Result: I'm feeling much better! My morning stiffness has reduced significantly, and I'm finally able to walk my dogs again.
The Complication: During the long wait for my diagnosis, I developed Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU). I've had the hives for about a year now. I'm currently on high-dose Fexofenadine and waiting for an allergy referral, but it's still persistent.
The New Concern: Recently, I watched a documentary on psoriasis and realised my skin looks very similar. Specifically:
Inner Thighs: I have red, smooth patches (I initially thought it was just chafing from my weight).
Elbows: I have dry, cracking patches that I've been told are "dermatitis" for years, but they look exactly like the psoriasis plaques I saw on TV.
My Questions:
Has anyone else here experienced this "triad" of Spondyloarthritis + CSU + Psoriasis?
Is it common for the skin symptoms to appear after the joint diagnosis?
Should I mention this to my rheumatologist immediately, or wait for my next scheduled appointment? I'm worried they might dismiss it as just "dry skin" if I don't have a flare-up in front of them.
Any advice or similar stories would be greatly appreciated!