"How Are You Doing?": The Question That Drives Me Crazy!Having a chronic illness like psoriatic arthritis means that we’re stuck with this disease until we die or a cure is found. If the physical part wasn’t bad enough, we...reactions2comments
What to Expect at the Rheumatologist's OfficeEven before my official “diagnosis” I knew that something was not right. Fatigue, aches, and pains sent me to my primary care doctor looking for answers. Inevitably, tests were run...reactionscomments
PsA Medications and Sun SensitivityFor most people summer is a time for fun in the sun. However, if the medications, pharmaceutical or natural, list photosensitivity as a side effect, fun in the sun can...reactionscomments
Three Travel Tips That Will Make Any Vacation BetterTraveling with psoriatic arthritis and similar painful chronic illnesses can be difficult, but not impossible. In my 17+ years of living with chronic pain, I have discovered that I can...reactionscomments
When You Can’t Smile to Hide the PainPsoriatic arthritis can involve many joints. Some of the more common ones include knees, fingers, toes, and lower back. But did you know that psoriatic arthritis can also affect your...reactionscomments
Finding Others Who Get "It"The first few years after being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis I felt like an outsider. None of my friends or family members could understand how I felt physically or mentally...reactions11comments
Why I Rarely Discuss My Health When SocializingWhen I go out, I want to have FUN. The last thing I want to do is talk about my pain or health. So I put on a happy face...reactionscomments
Can I Return To Who I Used To Be?My chronic conditions changed more than what I could physically do, it changed my personality as well. Living with psoriasis, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and psoriatic arthritis is tough. I experience pain...reactionscomments
My Psoriatic Arthritis Is a Rain IndicatorDo your joints ache when it’s going to rain? Do you feel like a walking, talking weather prediction station? You may be convinced your arthritic pain is worse when the...reactions6comments
Easy And Healthy Daily Habits That Don't Require ExerciseMaking the commitment towards a healthier you is an arduous journey to begin. I get it. Excuses are available in bulk and are easily justified by our rationale. Maybe you...reactionscomments
The "What If" WarThere was a time when I let the fear of “what if” keep me from trying new things or from going places that I have never been to before. What...reactionscomments
Thief in the Night-Stealing Moments of My LifeI missed a soccer game. My youngest daughter’s first game ever, and I missed it. I missed a lunch date with friends. Wonderful friends who have been ridiculously supportive. I...reactions2comments
Choosing a Biologic to Fit Your LifestyleBetween my son and myself, we’ve tried nearly every biologic approved for psoriatic arthritis. Often they would work for about eight months before the effectiveness would wear off. In the...reactionscomments
When Do We Tell Our Kids About Our Illnesses?Recently I stumbled upon a conversation on Facebook in regards to sharing our illnesses with our children. The person asked what others thought was an appropriate age to explain what...reactionscomments
The "Amazing" Joint JuiceOne of my favorite parts about my college is that it’s right down the street from my aunt’s workplace. In my first year of school, I’d drop in to visit...reactionscomments
Changing My Tune: Learning How to Stay Out of an Emotional FunkLike it or not making errors in judgment or mistakes in regards to how we manage our chronic illnesses is something we all will do at one time or another...reactionscomments
Scheduling Outings: Needing Time to Prepare & RecoverRecognizing and accepting that everything I do comes with a risk has made it easier for me to make plans. Gone are my days of scheduling events/outings and just hoping...reactionscomments
My Joy Jar: Reminding Me of the GoodA few years ago I received a joy jar from a friend. You may have seen them called memory jars on Pinterest. I call it my joy jar because that...reactionscomments
Looking at the Past with Rose-Colored GlassesRaise your hand if you have ever uttered the words “I want my old life back” or “I wish my life was what it used to be”. My hand is...reactions2comments
Psoriatic Arthritis Without PsoriasisThere are times when you may have all of the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) without having psoriasis. Continue reading to understand why and how that may be possible. Though...reactions6comments
