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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments23 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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!...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
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?...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A Blissful Night's SleepI roll over and the bright red lights on my alarm clock look mockingly back. Yes, it’s 2 am. Yes, I’m still awake. Again. Every muscle and joint in my...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Working Full Time at a Job That Doesn't PayConstant pain can make it hard to think straight. Reason and logic are hard to come by when my thoughts are constantly interrupted by pain, fatigue, and brain fog. It...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) Now Approved for Plaque PsoriasisCimzia was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Cimzia has been previously approved to treat other inflammatory conditions, including...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why Do Autoimmune Conditions "Collect?" - Part 2In Part 1, we established that yes, autoimmune diseases can act like magnets for others. One community member said her doctor refers to this as the “autoimmune cascade,” which I...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments