*Now Closed* Enter for a Chance to Win! World Arthritis Day Giveaway
The World Arthritis Day Giveaway is now closed, but we still welcome community members to share important events in their PsA journey in this forum thread. Thank you for your interest!
October 12 is World Arthritis Day. World Arthritis Day was created to raise awareness about arthritis and how it impacts the body, which includes psoriatic arthritis (PsA). In recognition of World Arthritis Day, we are holding a giveaway this October.
One lucky person will receive a COMFIER Wireless Hand Massager and the book, “The Psoriatic Arthritis Roadmap: Navigating an Integrative Approach” written by Dr. Donica Baker, a health leader on the Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team.Enter to win
For a chance to win the Arthritis Awareness Giveaway: reply to this forum thread, answering the question: inspired by the “Psoriatic Arthritis Roadmap,” if you had to create a roadmap or timeline of important events from your experiences with PsA so far, what would they be? This could be things like when you started to experience symptoms, you were diagnosed, when you started your first treatment, etc.
Answer below in this forum thread!Bonus entry instructions
For 1 bonus entry, submit a story, a minimum of 75 words, about your life with psoriatic arthritis. You can write about anything PsA-related, but here are some ideas, to help get you started:
How did you get diagnosed with PsA?What aspect(s) of life has PsA impacted that others may not know?Do you talk about your friends or loved ones about your condition? How do you approach these conversations?What common misconceptions about psoriatic arthritis would you like to debunk?Submit my storyGiveaway ends on October 20
The giveaway ends on Friday, October 20th at 4 PM ET. The winner will be notified via email. The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize before an alternate winner will be selected. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions. Good luck!
I was diagnosed with PsA after giving birth to my youngest son 12 years ago. It’s painful and embarrassing and I find it hard to manage at this stage. I have it on my scalp and elbows. I wish that people wouldn’t look at me like I’m contagious. That really hurts the most.
Thank you so much for sharing with us, I am linking you to an article, with some tips for scalp psoriasis. With our sister site, you will find some amazing resources and an equally supportive community. https://plaquepsoriasis.com/living/scalp-tips - We are here for you, every step of the way. -Clair Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team member
I would have to say at age 18 I started having signs. I wish I knew then to document every symptom. I was gaslighted for years until this past year at age 35.
I am now on enbrel injections. They are definitely helping some. I am hoping as I continue to use them it will continue to get better over time. If not I will be looking into other options. I am so glad to hear that it is helping, how long have you been taking Enbrel? Have you found that you are experiencing any side effects? I do hope this new journey works out really well for you . -Clair Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team member
Looking back I started having symptoms in my 20’s but didn’t connect the dots until they increased and I had my first psoriasis flare in my late 30’s. It took 6 years and multiple doctors to get diagnosed. The chronic fatigue diagnosis came about two years later.
The Otezla is helping, so is the Mounjaro. The pain and flares are still there but don’t seem to last as long (knock on wood!). Now if only something would help with the fatigue! Or even better put me into remission!
, thank you so much for taking the time and energy to share your journey so far with us all. I think a lot of us can relate to looking back and realising that we had been dealing with this condition for longer than we thought. It's good to read that your medications are helping with the pain and flares. Have you been on these treatments for long?
I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with fatigue. My PsA was initially misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome, because of how bad my fatigue was, so I can truly empathise. I thought you might be interested to read about some of the things that help Diane cope with the fatigue and the impact that it has on our lives: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/fatigue Warmest wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator
I think I'm a bit more fortunate than most. I had a short roadmap in comparison. It was 2020 when the pandemic first happened and I got COVID, no major symptoms just loss of taste and smell. After 14 days, my pain and swelling happened, my skin had also started getting patchy, and I was not sure what was happening. After many doctor visits and no answers, I advocated for myself and nearly had to cry at the doctor's office to be referred to a rheumatologist. A year later I was diagnosed with PSA.
I'm so glad that you were able to get a diagnosis relatively quickly, but I'm so sorry to hear that you were nearly brought to tears advocating for yourself before you were referred! Good for you for pushing for answers and not giving up. How are you managing currently? -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
