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Melissa Withem-Voss

Melissa Withem-Voss started out with PsA suddenly in February 1996. She developed PsO six months later. She has had all forms of Psoriasis including; Plaque, Guttate, Scalp, Palmer Plantar, and Pustular. At one point she was 97% covered in lesions and was Erythrodermic. Read more.

Living with Psoriatic and Ankylosing Spondylitis is Challenging

Living with psoriatic and ankylosing spondylitis is a daily challenge that affects every part of my routine. From morning stiffness to evening discomfort, these conditions shape how I move, rest...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

Does Your PsA Make You Less Social?

Are you experiencing social angst because of your PsA? Do you miss out on going out with friends or family? Do you feel like your PsA keeps you less active?...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

4 comments

Grief and Psoriatic Arthritis

Have you had to battle grief while having PsA? I am. My father recently passed away. Even though we were aware of his failing health, it was still a huge...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

4 min read

5 comments

My Psoriatic Arthritis Flares When I Am Ill

Do you flare up when you're sick because of your PsA? I do. From the slightest cold to major health battles, my PsA is quick to flare. The pain gets...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

Pet Therapy and Psoriatic Arthritis

I never gave pet therapy for psoriatic arthritis a thought as my best friend happens to be one of my therapists. MY dog is a black labrador and is 16...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

Rheumatology Care Inspired My Advocacy

Do you see a rheumatologist for your psoriatic arthritis? From the very start of my 28-year journey with psoriatic arthritis, I have been lucky enough to have rheumatology care and...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

Psoriatic Arthritis and the Pain Scale

Have you been asked where you rate on the pain scale 0-10? Medical professionals use the visual acuity pain scale to measure pain. They also combine this tool with other...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

0 comments

Psoriatic Arthritis and Tornado Season

Living in the Midwest can be hard with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and tornado season. This particular day started as many do, but then turned into a scary experience. A beautiful...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

Finding Small Ways To Be Kind to Myself With Psoriatic Arthritis

Today was a very busy day. First up today was taking my oldest son to work, which includes waking up and being on the road at 7:00 in the morning...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

Applying for Social Security

My journey applying for social security started June 23, 2023. Dr. Sun my arthritis specialist made the suggestion that I should try to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)/Supplemental...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

5 min read

12 comments

The Bitter Cold is Bitterly Painful for My Psoriatic Arthritis

Here in the Chicago suburbs it's been bitter cold, which can been bitterly painful for psoriatic arthritis! Temperatures dip into the negatives in the winter months here. Bundling up is...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

4 min read

0 comments

Navigating and Understanding Testing for PsA

Test results for psoriatic arthritis are at best not easy to understand. Once you have a diagnosis of having psoriatic arthritis there are some housekeeping things to keep track of...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

Psoriatic Arthritis Is Complicating My Fall Recovery

Which is it? Both? Is my knee pain, discomfort, and dislocation my psoriatic arthritis or is it from a fall? That is the big question on my mind today. My...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

0 comments

The Physical and Emotional Stress of Caregiving with Psoriatic Arthritis

Caregiving for a family member can have effect on your psoriatic arthritis. In my experience caring for my dad has agitated my PSA. Extra bending, walking, and reaching have caused...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

7 comments

What No One Told Me About Psoriatic Arthritis

What no one told me about psoriatic arthritis is that it can happen with or without psoriasis plaques. Did you know that you can have PsA in more than one...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

10 comments

Psoriatic Arthritis Expectations Versus Reality

Learning to live a whole different way then you imagined can be shocking. When you plan out your life and the events that will come with it. Most people do...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

0 comments

PsA Flares: When to Ask Questions and Seek Help

Living with PsA can feel like each day brings a new set of questions. How does your PsA feel? Have you ever experienced a big change in your arthritic pain? Do...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

My Misconceptions of Psoriatic Arthritis After My Diagnosis

When I first found out I had psoriatic arthritis (PsA), I had many thoughts about what it was. First, I considered this as terrible as a death sentence. Second, the...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

4 comments

The Effects of Caregiving on My PsA

My father is a dementia patient. He is 90 years old. Last summer, our family was informed that Dad was definitely a victim of this disease. My oldest brother and...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

1 comments

Setting Realistic Goals With Psoriatic Arthritis

Life is overwhelming. We're constantly overthinking the past and planning for the future. When you live with psoriatic arthritis, this type of approach to life amplifies. We're always worried about...

By Melissa Withem-Voss

3 min read

0 comments

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