(relaxing music)
When I was about 20-years-old,
I developed a skin issue on my arm,
and it was diagnosed as psoriasis,
and then, over the years, I started
noticing a pain in my foot, and general fatigue
and soreness.
And then, a few years after that,
I was diagnosed with depression.
I met with multiple doctors for each of these issues,
and they were treated independently.
Just because of my job, I happened to talk to
a rheumatologist, and discuss some of these issues,
and that's when it was discovered that possibly
this was all connected.
So I made an appointment, and was indeed
diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.
I still don't really know, though
what psoriatic arthritis is.
It is not just arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis is different from person to person.
It is an autoimmune disease that occurs in about
one in three people with the skin disease psoriasis.
It can affect the small joints of the hands and feet,
and also the large joints, like knees and ankles.
It can cause inflammation of the tendon and
ligament attachments, termed enthesitis.
or swelling of fingers and toes,
known as dactylitus.
In some instances, psoriatic arthritis can affect
the spine and pelvis, causing spondyloarthritis.
Many people with psoriatic arthritis
have active skin psoriasis, a history of it,
or a family member with psoriasis.
Nail psoriasis is extremely common in psoriatic arthritis.
In addition to these manifestations,
psoriatic arthritis can also cause pain, fatigue,
and difficulty with daily life activities.
It's interesting to hear all the different ways
that psoriatic arthritis can affect a person.
For me, the biggest struggle has been with the fatigue.
I'm young, and on the outside I look healthy,
and I definitely struggle to accept sometimes,
the way that the fatigue can affect my life.
I might have plans with friends, for example,
and then just be too tired to get out of bed.
I also often feel like a general soreness
or achiness in my body, that can
really impact my day and slow me down.
I've really found it difficult to accept
this impact on my life, and it's been hard
sometimes to talk about it with my friends,
and my family, who, again, don't see any
physical markers of the disease,
and don't really know anything about it.
Fatigue is very common in psoriatic arthritis.
And it is so important for patients,
that it is now a required outcome in clinical trials.
Several strategies can help with fatigue.
One is to plan activities ahead of time,
and make wise choices.
Two, find a relaxing activity at the end of the day,
and make sure you get enough sleep.
Three, be physically active with an activity
that you enjoy.
Teaming up with friends and family can help keep
you motivated, and many people feel energized,
after physical activity.
Have you discovered any strategies that work for you?
I definitely prioritize my sleep.
It's hard not to.
But even after a good night's sleep,
I rarely feel renewed or re-energized the next morning.
I found though that stretching, first thing,
can really help me to get going.
I also often will try to walk or do yoga,
and after doing yoga, in particular,
I can definitely feel a positive difference in my body.
That's great.
And what about therapies for psoriatic arthritis?
What should I be aware of?
There are many new treatments for
psoriatic arthritis now.
The biggest breakthrough has been the approval of
biological medications, that slow down
inflammatory pathways, activated specifically
psoriatic arthritis.
Rheumatologists can now prescribe individualized
treatment plans to patients, depending
on their own manifestations of psoriatic arthritis,
and other health conditions.
Psoriatic arthritis needs to be monitored,
and treatment reevaluated on an ongoing basis.
It is always a risk and benefit decision
that the patient and the doctor take together,
and update at every visit.
