The Girl With Arthritis

(Resharing this article from 2022- it's such an important topic!) People with psoriatic arthritis often face significant delays in diagnosis. Once you get that diagnosis from a rheumatologist, it's tempting to stay with them for the long haul. And sometimes, it's a great decision to stick around. But a bad or even "meh" patient-doctor relationship can hurt your care. As a patient, you deserve to feel respected, heard, and know you're in the best hands. But if you dread seeing your doctor and feel like you're no longer receiving the best care, it's okay to find a new physician. Read the full article on psoriatic-arthritis.com.

 Do you ever feel like you live in a world not built for you? I do. Recently, I've felt this way about a hefty door on my commute. It takes a lot of force to open and immediately swings shut; I find it painful and tiring to handle. Others have complained and had a handyman look at it, but it's remained in this state for months... Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

"Call if anything changes," my doctor will say at the end of my appointment. Hearing that is such a friendly reminder. Having a good relationship with your rheumatologist is vital for anyone with arthritis. It's so important to be able to reach out and get a response when you need help. But, when you live with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), that advice can be a little challenging... Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

 Ironically, for someone who shares my medical experiences online, I am a very private person in real life. There are some details about myself I'm quick to share, like being a crochet enthusiast! But there are several things I keep private, one of them being that I have psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

 This month, I've been binge-watching Call The Midwife. I picked it up again after missing a few seasons and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Through the happy and sad tears, my favorite part is how much the sisters and nurses care for their patients. Sometimes, I wish I could be their patient! It's not the first time I've wished to have the medical teams I see on TV.  Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

(Resharing this from 2021)  When I first started this column, I had so many things I wanted to share with families coping with juvenile arthritis (JA). I’ve written about everything from making home injections less painful to ergonomic backpacks. As this will be my last column, I wanted to share the most important thing I’ve learned over the years. The most valuable piece of advice I can pass on has nothing to do with treatments, doctors, accommodations, or arthritis hacks. It’s that you need to hold on to hope and remember that a life with JA can still be a happy one. Even if the future looks a little different than you expected. Read the full article at juvenilearthritisnews.com

 I have been told I'm a patient person when it comes to dealing with other people. I especially received a lot of compliments on my patience when I was in college and worked as a tutor and as a teacher's assistant. I loved working with students, appreciating their effort and dedication to learning, even when it was hard or took awhile. Why, oh why, isn't it easy to be patient with myself? I can acknowledge that I have psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and should be patient with myself, especially during flares. But I also have a life and responsibilities to care for, and I can't just wait around for better days. Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

Please don't judge me based on my good days. Looks can be deceiving for someone with a chronic illness. What looks like a good day might actually be a good day. Or it might be a good few hours. Or it could be someone doing their best to function through the pain. You don't honestly know what someone is going through, especially when they have lived with the pain for a long time. You'd be surprised how much pain people can learn to smile through. Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.