Today, I’d like to share a story that I hope my patients in Nashville find interesting, especially if they have psoriasis. You never know what’s lurking beneath the surface of common symptoms like fatigue, stress or achiness – but for some people, it’s always worth investigating further… And here’s why.
Recently, I had a new patient come in to see me, who was aware that she had psoriasis and was actually being treated with one of the newer injectable medications for psoriasis. After asking for me to refill her prescription, she mentioned that she felt weak and tired.
I was curious. I specifically questioned her about joint pain as arthritis can occur in patients with psoriasis. She denied any joint pain or tenderness – rather, she “always felt tired and run down.” I just couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more here, so I sent her to a Nashville rheumatologist.
The result? She was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. This comes as no surprise to me, as a recent study in the British Journal of Dermatology even indicated that fatigue was more common in patients with psoriatic arthritis compared with psoriasis, with higher fatigue scores seen in women. After the rheumatologist added medication to treat her psoriatic arthritis, my Nashville patient said she her energy level dramatically increased back to her baseline.
The bottom line is this: if you are a psoriasis patient and begin feeling constant fatigue, you need to speak with your Nashville dermatologist and keep them informed. While your psoriasis may be treated with your medication, there could be underlying arthritis to worry about, too.
If you’re concerned about psoriasis or your risk for psoriatic arthritis, please visit us at Skin Solutions Dermatology in Nashville, Franklin, Columbia, Smyrna, Hendersonville or Pulaski to chat with our amazing team of dermatology specialists! Take advantage of our online booking system and book an appointment today.
Source: British Journal of Dermatology