What do you wish people knew about life with psoriatic arthritis?

I’d like people to know that one day I’ll be ok. Going about my business and looking good. The next day, one or two issues maybe bothering me but I carry on. I carry on until there is more than 3 issues with my heath that send me to my sofa.
I just hate explaining why I don’t feel good. If I say it I mean it!

I wish people knew that i am carrying pain, fatigue and tiredness all of the time. The recent difficult loss of my mother has just turned everything up to maximum.
Also to say that stress worsens everything and at the moment psoriatic arthritis flaring, no sleep and psoriasis in my nose ears is reducing my QoL to near 0. I have to carry on regardless with work and looking after my 2 children and sometimes each morning after 2 hours sleep feels overwhelming.

I wonder if it is too much that people understand this weird, painful illness and its medications that seem to fail or add other complications to daily life. I rarely talk about my PsA etc.


* listen to me and ask caring questions or make specific offers. (E.g can I take your dog for a walk today?)
* know me well enough to realise I would have done my due diligence over the many years.
* let me talk, don't try to fix me and do let me know I'm not going mad.
* give me a hug.
I promise to be a good listener and friend to you too.

I'm often told in a haphazardly way "You just have to get up off your a_ _! " It is one of the very few times I wish they could live in my body for a day. Only 1 day


I know it's hard to believe I hurt over 80%of my body. I would like people to believe me, not to judge, criticize, or tell me one day you'll be good as new.