Then and Now: Looking Back on 60 Years with Psoriatic Disease

I'm sitting down thinking about the previous decades of my life. The path I've followed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has a place in my mind.

There have been many ups and downs. It has also been a life of adjusting and personal development.

Adjusting to the unpredictability of psoriatic arthritis

I want to share how my experiences have changed and how I've dealt with this illness. I have become more at ease with the disease's unpredictability and uncertainty.

The term psoriatic arthritis was a foreign word to me years ago. I had no idea what lay ahead for me. My symptoms started as mild but grew worse with each passing day. I can still remember the pain, pitting, flakes, and the never-ending itch.

It was years later that the stiffness and joint discomfort came along. This made the smallest chores very hard. I was in my 20's.

The severity of this condition wasn't something I could comprehend until it started affecting my life.

I have seen firsthand how PsA can attack the body. Although my symptoms vary all over the place, I've improved at controlling them with my healthcare team.

Progress, treatment, and overcoming stigma

Sometimes, my skin flares up, but I've discovered more effective techniques to treat it. The stiffness and joint discomfort are constant. I've restored mobility with medicine and easy workouts.

PsA has somehow merged with my identity, but I will never allow it to define me. Managing PsA was a difficult chore decades ago.

There weren't many medications, and the side effects were frequently severe. I relied on therapies in the hope of a miracle. Of course, one never came.

Another struggle was overcoming the social shame associated with my symptoms. Often, society's ignorance hurts more than it does the actual discomfort.

The medical community has achieved significant improvements in treating PsA. There are more drugs available with fewer side effects. I've found a medical staff who knows my situation and helps me to get the best treatment.

Lifestyle changes and mental resilience

Lifestyle changes have also been crucial. I try to do a balanced diet and regular light exercise to keep my joints flexible.

Managing the psychological effects of PsA has been done by my social support system of friends and family. When I was younger, PsA frequently made me feel alone and discouraged.

I felt anxious because flare-ups were unpredictable. The restrictions it placed on my life made me mad. It was challenging to keep a cheerful attitude when it appeared like the fight against PsA was never-ending.

I've learned to accept this as a part of my life as the years have passed. I no longer see it as a burden but as a travel partner.  Trust me, this change of viewpoint took time; it didn't occur suddenly.

As I've grown to appreciate life's small pleasures, I have a mindset of thankfulness and perseverance.

In my youth, I longed for assurance. My life was frequently turned upside down by PsA when I least expected it. I was terrified of not knowing when or how it would next strike. Making long-term goals or commitments was difficult for me.

Acceptance and focusing on daily progress

I have accepted my PsA and come to accept the unpredictability it brings. I've discovered how to be present and adjust to many things.

I no longer allow my life to be controlled by my fear of flare-ups. Instead, I concentrate on the changes each day presents.

PsA is only one aspect of my life. I see a path of progress as I reflect on the past 60 years of living with this illness.  While PsA has presented me with many difficulties, it has also given me a fresh outlook on life.

Remember, we are not alone.