5 Years of Joint Connection & Community

2 min read

The internet fuels people’s ability to connect, trade ideas, and solve problems. For the past 5 years, this has been just our goal here at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

We consider ourselves an online community of brave patient stories, connections, and specialized resources for those who live with this chronic condition.

And with a humble perspective, we're just the catalyst here. The courage and shared experiences of those living daily with psoriatic arthritis elevate this community and seamlessly provide meaningful recognition, respect, and support to those who need it.

Finding connection in community, straight from patient leaders

There is no community in the world like the psoriatic arthritis community. Those who live with this painful condition find ways to support each other, offer encouragement and understanding, and make one another feel a little less alone.

This is no different for our advocates - the brave ones who share their personal experiences directly with you.

Long term advocate, Diane shares how the community overall has helped her. While Annelyse shares the emotional healing that came by connecting with the psoriatic community. While Melissa provides insight into the importance of advocacy and honesty.

Here are 5 ways to get involved

We've seen it firsthand. Even the smallest amount of advocacy could make a difference. Whether you're completely new to Psoriatic-arthritis.com, a frequent visitor, or coming back from a hiatus, we've grown so much throughout the past 5 years and have made updates and changes to serve this growing community better going through so much.

We encourage you to get to know our advocates and create a profile. If you're looking for ways to get started, let the 5 items below help you on your journey to emotional comfort and support.

Create an account on Psoriatic-Arthritis.com
Share your story
Participate in our forums
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Sign up for our newsletter

Thank you!

We would not have gotten this far or made this large of an impact without you. That's right you. You've signed up for our newsletters, you've shared your story, created profiles, and participated in our forums.

In addition to looking for your own support or resources, you've provided it.

Psoriatic arthritis is not an easy condition to manage or live with. We certainly know that. By asking questions, providing answers, and sharing experiences, you have allowed others living with psoriasis to feel less alone. You have made our community exactly what it is - for that, we're grateful.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

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Great Nana Member
Thank you for offering the chance to win the warming blanket and booties. Although I do use a heating pad to help me get through some rough times, I also seem to have dysregulation of my internal thermostat and the smallest amount of exertion or stress causes heavy sweating, mostly of my head/forehead. I joke that now I know why God gave us eyebrows! Unfortunately, at age 66, mine are almost nonexistent. I am grateful for AC in my apartment and car and pretty much run them year-round! Therefore, I won't be entering this giveaway. PS. What I experience is not like menopausal hot flashes (been there, done that). It started occurring after my PsA diagnosis 4 years ago. I also experience great fluctuation of my body temperature and go through periods of low-grade fevers. One of the nurses at the MS clinic, where I started my journey to find a diagnosis, brought it to my attention and commented that it is not unusual to see that in MS patients (or in autoimmune diseases). Anybody else deal with this?
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="nanarides HD" user-id="3291449"/>. Do you have both PsA and MS? Low-grade fevers do seem to be common for people with PsA, though you should never assume PsA is the cause. Always see a doctor if a fever persists. A Fever might be a sign of sepsis in a joint, which needs treatment before it spreads into the blood stream, or something entirely unrelated. Many people with MS seem to have problems regulating their body temperatures and that can lead to heavy sweating during the day or night sweats. Here is an article from one of our advocates on our sister site for MS that might interest you: <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/hot-cold-temperature-changes-affect-my-body' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/hot-cold-temperature-changes-affect-my-body</a>. I hope this helps and that you find some relief. Best of all wishes! - Lori (Team Member)
Great Nana Member
Thanks Lori. I wrote back last night but not sure where my post went. I do not have MS but do have stable lesions in my brain. The MS clinic is where I started my diagnostic journey. The doctor there is wonderful. After ruling out MS, he continued to follow me to help find what autoimmune disease I was suffering from. He referred me to a dermatologist who diagnosed psoriasis in my nails, ears, and other less obvious places, which in turn helped my saint of a rheumatologist diagnose PsA. After that diagnosis, the MS specialist told me that the PsA had no doubt affected my brain at one time, resulting in the MS-like lesions (as we all know, PsA is whole body inflammatory disease, unfortunately). BTW, he also spends part of his week at the Brain Health and Wellness Clinic at Harborview Medical Center/UW Medicine in Seattle, so he knows his stuff! He wants to keep an eye on me and told me to see him if I ever encounter a problem that my rheumatologist can't help me with. (I do have a benign tremor, random balance issues, and occasional vertigo.) I feel blessed to finally have found such a caring healthcare team!
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 What a wonderful doctor, <inline-mention username="nanarides HD" user-id="3291449"/>! You are indeed fortunate to have such a great team. I hope you never develop more lesions and that your neurological symptoms never worsen. I am glad you got an accurate diagnosis and I hope your treatment goes well. - Lori (Team Member)
Great Nana Member
Thank you! I was on MTX for about 15 months but my liver panel got out of line, so I have been on Humira for several months now and it is helping. Best wishes to you, too!
dmcclellan Member
Today is today!!!!!!, SSDI briefing Alert !!!!!!!! All medics & paralegals stand to !! Battle stations !!!!!
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="dmcclellan" user-id="3283300"/> I hope you get good news! Fingers crossed! - Lori (Team Member)

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