The Girl With Arthritis

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to boundaries and privacy around your health. It’s important to remember that you have the choice to share or say ‘no.’ Everyone needs boundaries and privacy, but they’re especially important when you’re chronically ill. You deserve to be comfortable with what you share, how much you share, and who you share it with. My boundaries have changed a lot since I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Some people are an open book, while others are more private. And there are physical boundaries to consider, too: are you open to sharing you’re canceling plans because of a flare, do you push through, or is there a third option? Reach the full article at Bezzy Psa

One chronic disease is hard to manage, but more than one makes life chaotic. Find ways to get organized, take notes, and, above all, be kind to yourself as priorities change. I always thought I was a good multitasker. Then I was put to the test when I had to manage multiple chronic conditions. I had lived with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) since childhood, but adding a new condition as an adult threw me for a loop. Unfortunately, when you have one chronic disease, it’s not uncommon to develop another. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. It’s a lot harder to manage multiple diseases than many would imagine. Sometimes, it can feel like taking care of two (or more) toddlers at once. There are times when it’s peaceful, when one won’t stop running around, and when there are non-stop tantrums. It can be chaotic. Read the full article at Bezzy PsA

 While dealing with brain fog and constant appointments, my phone calendar keeps me on schedule. I often say, if something isn’t on my calendar, it doesn’t exist. I use my phone calendar frequently, calling it my “single source of truth.” While I have a good memory, I don’t trust myself to remember everything. And I blame my psoriatic arthritis (PsA) on that. Between complicated medical schedules and too many reminders, it’s easy to get things mixed up. I feel like I see medical staff more often than I see some family members. Read the full article at Bezzy PsA

(This article was originally published April 14, 2020. I am reposting it to bring attention to an important topic.) I've certainly had plenty of low points while living with psoriatic arthritis. Of course, that includes severe flares that made walking, talking, and even lying down excruciating. And yes, the pain has played a big part throughout these times. But I would be kidding myself if I didn't call out other symptoms, like fatigue, that made these periods downright miserable. Why doesn't pain feel as bad as other symptoms? I don't want to downplay the extent of the pain. It can keep me up late at night or wake me in the small hours of the morning. Pain can make it impossible to feel comfortable in any position and drive me to the point of mental and emotional breakdowns. Read the full article at psoriatic-arthritis.com

When your normal is already skewed, it can be hard to notice if something else is brewing. Sometimes PsA overshadows other symptoms. When you’re starting to feel run-down, most people assume they’re getting sick. Me? I would assume my psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is starting to act up. The same with any unexpected pain. (Or in my case, extra pain.) While others may assume they’ve overdone it at the gym or gotten an injury, I would just shrug it off and think my PsA must be a little angry today. Read the full article at Bezzy PsA

 From research and tech advances to patient-doctor dynamics, care has come a long way since I was first diagnosed with juvenile arthritis almost twenty years ago. Since I first started seeing a rheumatologist, I’ve gone from carrying around a plastic hospital card to checking in for appointments on my phone. When I think of my experiences from where I started this journey almost twenty years ago to where I am now, the care seems somewhat archaic. It’s incredible how much medical progress I’ve witnessed over almost two decades. As the years went by, I started to have more options, more access, and overall better experiences as a patient. I was only twelve years old when I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, to be clarified as juvenile psoriatic arthritis (PsA) a year or so later. My 12-year-old mind would have been blown by everything we have today! Read the full article at Bezzy PsA.