Coping Each Day

I've had psoriasis since the age of 5. That's right - 5. At a very young age, I experienced discrimination that many adults will never experience facing. Because of my skin, I was told that I could not attend school. Teachers, parents, principals, and fellow students thought I was contagious. My resiliency started growing.

I had a battle from day one - never would I have imagined the fight that I had to fight. I had to take on the challenge and complications of being in pain and learning how to take care of my health.

The difficulties of psoriatic arthritis

After years of joint pain in addition to my psoriasis, I was finally diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I was ready. I remember thinking "Bring it on."

After all, I have been living with psoriasis my whole life. To have a new diagnosis for my pain, I felt relief and ready.

Managing fatigue and sleep

I am a very busy person, I work a full-time job. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and a mentor to a lot of people. I am a blogger and I write articles about my life. My time is very important and valuable to me.

I allow my self-time for my workload. I try not to take on a lot of projects anymore. It used to be easy to do extra stuff, but I’m finding it harder and harder.

Sleeping, for me is one of the most important factors in psoriatic arthritis management. It can give you the energy to make space for coping. That said, I still find myself up at all hours of the night wincing in pain.

On days that I can’t sleep I try to at eat right and walk a little so I can have energy though out the day.

The challenges of medications

I have tried many medications over the years. Most never worked, but I never gave up hope. I finally got some relief when the biologics became available. They have made my life so much easier.

I’m not pain-free but I can manage so much better day to day. I have a better quality of life. I also have pain pills available to me, which help take off the edge. You and your doctor can come up with a treatment plan that works for your disease and your pain, exclusively.

If you are on any kind of medications, make sure you take it when you are supposed to. Consistency is the key.

Coping in connection

Emotions can range by the hour when one lives with psoriatic arthritis. Frustration, depression, insecurity. I have my share of emotions daily. I try to be happy, but sometimes it’s hard.

I often ask myself, how can I become more emotionally resilient? I start by talking with someone who understands both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and the heaviness it can cause.

Also, try talking to a friend or join a support group. This really helps. You need to talk to someone who understands your daily struggles and what you are going through.

Coping alongside family and friends

Seeing family and friends for holidays and events can weigh heavily. You may think they do not believe your pain or you have something to prove. Listen to me, you do not.

I have cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my family every year, for the past 40 years. I’m not able to do this anymore, which also makes me very sad. I now go to families' houses for dinner.

Boundaries will save your physical and mental health. Accepting your limitations can help too. I want to be comfortable and not in a lot of pain when I’m around family and friends. I think they understand. I will stay in the fight and stay strong.