And this time, her body listened
Perhaps it was a dream, she thought.
Perhaps if she pinched herself, she would wake up.
But she didn’t want to wake up. She wanted to stay in this dream world where she felt no pain, no stiffness, no discomfort at all.
For years her body had failed her. It was unable to keep up with her stubborn heart and wild spirit. Something was always holding her back from the world. It felt like someone was squeezing every cell in her body — forcing them to push and slug through the simplest of tasks when what she dreamed of was greatness. And freedom.
“JUST LET GO!” she screamed at her body, but nothing helped. Some invisible force had a grip on her with no intention of letting go.
The doctors were baffled if they even bothered to listen long enough to be baffled, as were her friends and family. So, she survived each day rather than living.
One day, she decided to try just one more doctor. She was shocked when she got the validation and help she had given up hope of finding. She wasn’t crazy, she had an autoimmune disorder, psoriatic arthritis or PsA, that could be treated (though not cured). She simultaneously felt devastation and solace.
The first morning waking up without pain is one she’d never forget. “It’s working!” she said to herself with a huge smile. The joy came as a flood, but so too did the anger. Why did it take so long? Why had all the others dismissed her pain? Life is too short to be wasted.
“NO MORE WASTE!” she yelled. And this time, her body listened.
If you have symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, especially if you have psoriasis, don’t stop pushing for answers and help from a reputable rheumatologist. Delaying diagnosis not only delays any relief you might get from treatment but can cause permanent damage to your joints.
Want to know more about PsA? I recommend About Psoriatic Arthritis from the National Psoriasis Foundation and 9 Things People With Psoriatic Arthritis Want You to Know from Health Magzine.
