Hosting a Summer BBQ Without the Side Dish of PainHosting a summer BBQ can be a lot of fun. It can also be a painful experience, especially when we push ourselves to do more than our bodies typically allow...reactionscomments
Take Me Off the Pain Measuring ScaleEverywhere I go, there is a measuring scale to measure our pain level, beliefs, and everyday life experiences with psoriatic arthritis. I get surveys via mail asking me to measure...reactions2comments
My PsA Is Always On My MindIt’s hard to imagine, but there was a time when I would wake up without physical pain. Before psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, and fibromyalgia began presenting themselves, I never had to...reactionscomments
Bloodwork for PsA: What Do the Results Mean?There is no single test to diagnose psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Reaching a diagnosis of PsA is a process that includes a physical exam, patient history, imaging scans, biopsies, and blood...reactions6comments
Changing AssumptionsI had a particularly interesting phone conversation with a nurse at my rheumatologist’s office the other day. You see, I was fighting a flare (big surprise) and was still several...reactionscomments
How to Have a Terrible Summer VacationForget telling you how to have the best vacation ever despite having a chronic illness, today I am going to help you plan the worst summer vacation ever!!! Why spend...reactionscomments
Psoriatic Arthritis in ChildrenAs a person who has had this disease forever, I am privileged to meet plenty of people on this journey. I recently met a young lady whose child has psoriatic...reactionscomments
How to Fall in Love with Shot DayWe are genetically hardwired to hate pain of any sort and to avoid it at all costs. We wear shoes so we don’t hurt our feet. Often, we take acetaminophen...reactionscomments
Just Calm the F*#k Down!As a person who rarely uses any form of profanity, (even if I happen to say crap, it’s a BIG deal). I mean seriously, I NEVER curse. You might be...reactions1comment
Burning Midnight Oil: Struggling to SleepIt is the end of the day, you cannot wait for bedtime. You follow a routine of bath, dinner, medication, and warm pajamas. Your body is ready, and your mind...reactions23comments
What's the Link Between Pain and Depression?Pain and depression are such fascinating things. Pain is subjective. Depression is subjective. There is really no way to quantify either one. Yes, we have “scales” and “questions” but there...reactionscomments
Sensory Overload: Symptom or Consequence of PsA?“There’s just too much going on!”“It’s too loud!”“I can’t think straight!” I never used to understand when people would say these things. What? Too much going on? No such thing!...reactions2comments
Could Exercising Really Reduce My PsA Pain?How many times have you been told that exercising will help reduce the pain you experience from psoriatic arthritis? I lost count of the times I have been told this...reactions3comments
Psoriatic Arthritis Makes Everything So Much WorseSince your psoriatic arthritis (PsA) diagnosis, have you had an injury? Illness? How about a “simple” procedure at your doctor’s office? Even something as seemingly innocent as a stubbed toe?...reactions8comments
These Eyes: Dealing With Symptoms Beyond Joint PainOne day I was working away at my new job and I felt my eyes begin to sting and feel like something was stuck in them. I blinked and blinked and...reactions12comments
What I Hide with Psoriatic ArthritisYou may have seen that commercial with the lady that holds up the fake smiling face for pictures while her real face appears sad and distraught. She looks so alone...reactions2comments
Feeling Better Doesn't Mean I Have Been CuredNow that my pain from psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, and fibromyalgia is so well managed, I am doing more than I have ever done throughout my chronic life. In fact I...reactions2comments
The High Price of Living with PsAThose who have never experienced living with a long-term illness have no clue how expensive it is to live with an illness that will last a lifetime. It doesn’t matter...reactions8comments
Did You Ever Get The Proper Diagnosis?I just want to say, don't settle for an “I think”. I’m so tired of doctors saying I think, we're not sure, let’s do more tests. We are living in...reactions8comments
Traveling This Summer With Psoriatic DiseaseSummer is approaching and for many of us that means family vacations and trips with friends. Traveling with psoriatic disease can call for some unique challenges. Traveling can be difficult...reactionscomments