Could It Be Psoriatic Arthritis?

For years, I’ve been dealing with psoriasis. It was never officially diagnosed by a dermatologist, but my GP was almost certain. It started on my elbows—small, red, scaly patches of dry skin. What began as a tiny spot eventually spread to cover most of both elbows. Sometimes they itch or hurt, but other times I barely notice them. I haven’t been able to pinpoint what makes it worse or better. Later on, I started getting patches on my nose too.

Psoriasis Runs in the Family

Psoriasis is definitely in my family. My dad and brother both had spots on their face and scalp. For me, it stayed away for years but eventually showed up. I try to keep the patches moisturized, but other than that, I don’t really treat them. It’s not super limiting, except for the fact that the skin on my elbows has become thin and sensitive. Leaning on something, like a desk or chair arm, can get painful after a while.

Connecting the Dots: Psoriasis and Daily Stiffness

I’ve recently switched to a new GP, and during our intake session, she took the time to really go over my medical history. She’s someone who likes to look for patterns instead of treating every symptom as something separate. That’s how we ended up talking about my psoriasis and its possible link to the stiffness I feel in my body almost every day.

Since childhood, I’ve had issues with a stiff, painful neck—especially in the morning. The stiffness usually fades throughout the day, but sometimes it doesn’t. On those days, the pain radiates into my head, and I have to lie down just to get some relief. I become incredibly irritable. Light, sound—everything feels overwhelming. As weird as it sounds, I often feel like my brain just stops working in those moments. I can’t think clearly, and my head feels foggy and slow. Regular painkillers don’t help, but naproxen combined with rest usually does the trick.

More Than Just the Neck

In the past few years, the stiffness has spread to my back, knees, and even my chest. And again—anti-inflammatory medication like naproxen seems to help.

Which got me thinking…

Could This Be Psoriatic Arthritis?

Is it possible that I have psoriatic arthritis? And here’s another thought: could my seasonal allergies be triggering a flare-up of psoriatic arthritis, which then sets off my restless legs? It’s a strange chain reaction, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a deeper link between all these symptoms.

Are there others out there who recognize this mix of conditions? Psoriasis, joint pain, brain fog, and restless legs that seem to come and go with the seasons?