Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is not a picnic to deal with daily. The autoimmune illness has its difficulties and obstacles, such as joint swelling, weariness, worry, and especially painful days.
While it may seem lonely sometimes, remember that you are not alone. Accepting the discomfort of stiffness and soreness as part of life may assist, and therapies are available to alleviate these sensations.
Here are all the good, the terrible, and all the small, hilarious things in between that come with a PsA diagnosis, whether you have it yourself or wish to better assist and sympathize with a friend or loved one who does.
Waking Up Feeling Like The Tin Man Is The Norm
Most of us with PsA take our sweet time getting out of bed in the mornings, regardless of which joints are most affected by the disease.
You feel trapped in the Tin Man’s body for the first few hours of the day as you shuffle about the home, make coffee, and get ready to face the day. Our movements are stiff, sluggish, and severely restricted until we’ve warmed up for the day.
You Have No Problem Asking For Help To Open Jars & Bottles
If psoriatic arthritis just affects your finger joints, the amount to which you are mobile and comfortable may perplex your loved ones.
On a good day, a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session or a yoga class may make you sweat, but can you muster the energy to open your protein powder or peanut butter container afterward? That’s a different tale.
RELATED: Psoriatic Arthritis: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Your Energy Level Is As Unpredictable As Your Achy Joints
The unpredictable nature of PsA’s joint effects makes it a challenging disease to manage. But it’s just as challenging to maintain a steady flow of vitality.
Keeping up a constant level of energy when needed is hard. Still, perhaps your close friends and family will understand if you must cancel plans at the last minute or propose a more relaxed activity.
You’ve Been Misdiagnosed More Times Than You Can Count
Getting a correct diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis may be accompanied by a wide range of feelings. You’ve probably been diagnosed with