The Girl With Arthritis

Living with chronic pain doesn’t mean learning to ignore it. Listening to your body can help you figure out what works when managing pain. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Push through the pain. Pain is weakness leaving the body. No pain, no gain. These are just a few of my least favorite sayings. The meanings aren’t lost on me. I get the point. But as someone living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), dealing with pain is not that simple.  Living with PsA does mean having to push through a lot of pain to get through each day. To an extent, you get used to it because it just can’t be avoided. It’s true that sometimes “the only way out is through.” But to say “no pain, no gain” is not just an oversimplification — it’s not true! Yes, there are many times when we push past it. Sometimes, it feels worth it. Sometimes, it’s a matter of survival. Either way, our bodies may say differently and punish us for ignoring their warnings. Read the full article at Bezzy PsA.

When you’re having a flare-up, getting dressed up and going out somewhere fancy doesn’t sound appealing. Dates don’t need to be fancy to be special. Consider some of these unique date night ideas for an arthritis-friendly evening. When I was little, I imagined all the fun dates my future husband and I would go on. I pictured dinner, dancing, ice skating, hiking, and other fun and romantic activities! What I didn’t picture at the time was dealing with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) as a young adult. I didn’t know that dating would look a little different for me. My pain and fatigue have influenced many parts of my life and my relationships, from little things like dates to what the future might look like. Read the full article at Bezzy PsA.  

 Living with a hidden disability can be isolating and lonely. Here’s how I address the challenges while finding support and setting boundaries. Have you ever been in a room full of people yet felt alone? I have many times. I remember being at a birthday party during a horrible summer downpour. My psoriatic arthritis (PsA) was flaring at the time, but the humidity and low pressure system made things worse. I was trying to keep it together, but I knew I came off as rather anti-social. I felt separated from all the people in the room, my mind drifting from pain and only occasionally picking up on the conversation being had right in front of me. And the worst part? There wasn’t anyone there who I felt comfortable to ask for help. Read the full article at Bezzy PsA.

Therapy is not only beneficial to my mental health, but it’s also helped boost my physical health.  Treating my psoriatic arthritis (PsA) hasn’t been a straightforward process. I wish it were as simple as seeing a rheumatologist, being prescribed medication, and being pain-free. Even though I’m on a medication that works for me, I still deal with chronic pain and fatigue. Taking care of my PsA has required a whole-body approach, balancing nourishment, exercise, rest, and mental wellness. I found therapy sessions have greatly helped me manage my PsA.  Read the full article at Bezzy PsA.

Chronic illness can be complicated to navigate in relationships. Here’s how I ditch the guilt and approach physical affection. Less than a year ago, I married my now husband on a beautiful spring evening. Everyone said our love and happiness were contagious, and we’re still clearly crazy for each other. But it hasn’t all been honeymoon bliss — when my psoriatic arthritis (PsA) flares up, physical affection is often the last thing on my mind. And that can be hard for both of us.  Read the full article at Bezzy PsA.

When family and friends don’t respond well to what you share about your health journey, it’s disappointing and hurtful. Here’s how I determine my inner circle and respect my own boundaries. A few months ago, I was caught off guard by someone asking how my psoriatic arthritis (PsA) was doing. They had heard my health wasn’t doing great and wanted to check in and offer a recipe for a home remedy. While I appreciated that they cared, I was also surprised they knew about my flare-up: I generally don’t discuss my health with family and friends. It sounds a little ironic, considering I write about my experiences living with PsA. But hear me out: It’s so much easier to share about my life with PsA with a community that “gets it” than to talk about my health with those who don’t understand. Even though family and friends are often the first place we turn to for support, this group isn’t always the most empathetic. For this reason, I’ve decided to keep my health details private, aside from a fe...