Meet Psoriatic Arthritis
April 15, 2018
“Meet Psoriatic Arthritis”
Saying hello to Psoriatic Arthritis for the first time. Here is the first impression - sneaky, illusive, moody,
temperamental, and the most destructive person you will ever know. That is how I would describe the
disease if it were a person.
temperamental, and the most destructive person you will ever know. That is how I would describe the
disease if it were a person.
My story, may be much like yours. Symptoms for years, confusing symptoms, would come and go.
A rash here, a bad neck, lower back pain, irregular heartbeat, irritable bowel syndrome,
eye inflammation, dry eyes and I could go on - but you get the picture. None of the symptoms
ever consistent enough to be explained. There goes our elusive and sneaky friend. But then one
day Mr. PSa took over for too long and for good. Just like an enemy wears you down until you are beaten.
Your friend turns out to be your opponent - and has become your worst enemy.
That is when you fight back. But how?
A rash here, a bad neck, lower back pain, irregular heartbeat, irritable bowel syndrome,
eye inflammation, dry eyes and I could go on - but you get the picture. None of the symptoms
ever consistent enough to be explained. There goes our elusive and sneaky friend. But then one
day Mr. PSa took over for too long and for good. Just like an enemy wears you down until you are beaten.
Your friend turns out to be your opponent - and has become your worst enemy.
That is when you fight back. But how?
For me it meant doing some research. It also meant some serious prayer room time.
I’m talking Jesus on the main line all the time. I thought when I went back to my doctor and received my
report that she was going to tell me I had osteoarthritis, you know the kind of arthritis we earn with age.
You see, she had already shared with me that Lupus had
been ruled out. She looks at me, shows me the issues in my body and blood work and said
“this is psoriatic arthritis”. To which I replied “Oh I am so thankful it is not lupus”.
She looks me directly in the eyes and states “this is a very aggressive and debilitating disease,
You need to take this seriously, without treatment, you could become disabled.” WHAT!?
She continues - “it effects so much of your body, please research and look into the Psoriatic Arthritis
community for education and support”.
I’m talking Jesus on the main line all the time. I thought when I went back to my doctor and received my
report that she was going to tell me I had osteoarthritis, you know the kind of arthritis we earn with age.
You see, she had already shared with me that Lupus had
been ruled out. She looks at me, shows me the issues in my body and blood work and said
“this is psoriatic arthritis”. To which I replied “Oh I am so thankful it is not lupus”.
She looks me directly in the eyes and states “this is a very aggressive and debilitating disease,
You need to take this seriously, without treatment, you could become disabled.” WHAT!?
She continues - “it effects so much of your body, please research and look into the Psoriatic Arthritis
community for education and support”.
Turns out all that time my Doc spent in school was time well spent. She is smart.
Her treatment recommendations are working. I was thankful - because my condition was
going downhill very fast.
In getting to know my new Psoriatic Arthritis Family I have learned that
not everyone responds to treatment. Some do for a while and then need to change medications.
It’s almost like Mr. PSa gets his pants spanked for a little while then comes back for another round.
Others have so many side effects from medications, but know they have to keep fighting.
They are dealing with the side effects because the disease activity itself is worse than their side effect.
Her treatment recommendations are working. I was thankful - because my condition was
going downhill very fast.
In getting to know my new Psoriatic Arthritis Family I have learned that
not everyone responds to treatment. Some do for a while and then need to change medications.
It’s almost like Mr. PSa gets his pants spanked for a little while then comes back for another round.
Others have so many side effects from medications, but know they have to keep fighting.
They are dealing with the side effects because the disease activity itself is worse than their side effect.
I’ve read their stories, I’ve seen their pictures, I’ve heard their pain, I’ve seen their heart.
I feel what they are feeling. I want you to know that when I read your posts in our communities
online - and I say “prayers to you” I pray for you.
(More about praying will come in another post next week, as I was not always bold enough
to tell someone that I would pray for them.)
I feel what they are feeling. I want you to know that when I read your posts in our communities
online - and I say “prayers to you” I pray for you.
(More about praying will come in another post next week, as I was not always bold enough
to tell someone that I would pray for them.)
Choosing to fight everyday with chronic pain, hidden pain, medication
ineffectiveness and the emotional flood gate can just overflow. I know, I was there.
Sometimes when I flare, my mind goes back to how awful it was before an effective treatment plan.
Then I get really anxious that I might have to start all over again and find another treatment plan.
ineffectiveness and the emotional flood gate can just overflow. I know, I was there.
Sometimes when I flare, my mind goes back to how awful it was before an effective treatment plan.
Then I get really anxious that I might have to start all over again and find another treatment plan.
So this has been a go to Bible verse for strength lately and to remind me I am not alone:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through
the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
Well how about that - going go pass across a river and then run through
flames and never even smell like smoke when you come out on the other side.
I like how that story ends. I think there is even an advertisement for
a psoriatic arthritis medication that says “I have PSa but it does not have me”
and the one that says “the P is silent, but we are not”. We are going to walk
through this journey and it will change us but hopefully no one will ever know.
flames and never even smell like smoke when you come out on the other side.
I like how that story ends. I think there is even an advertisement for
a psoriatic arthritis medication that says “I have PSa but it does not have me”
and the one that says “the P is silent, but we are not”. We are going to walk
through this journey and it will change us but hopefully no one will ever know.
But It’s hard some days y'all - you know what I mean! You think no one understands what you are going through.
They do not understand the pain - you fear they think you are just a professional hypochondriac.
So you stay silent and tell no one. So I just wanted to drop a few lines to let you know that Jesus
knows exactly what you are going through. He knows exactly where you have been.
He wants to walk with you through it and He needs to hear from you to help you.
They do not understand the pain - you fear they think you are just a professional hypochondriac.
So you stay silent and tell no one. So I just wanted to drop a few lines to let you know that Jesus
knows exactly what you are going through. He knows exactly where you have been.
He wants to walk with you through it and He needs to hear from you to help you.
We all need to know that we are not alone. Our fight can begin with simple prayers and see the power of Jesus
to yield huge miracles.
We will keep the faith and pray bringing this before the Great healer, Jesus Christ our King.
to yield huge miracles.
We will keep the faith and pray bringing this before the Great healer, Jesus Christ our King.
So, on that note . . .
Dear Heavenly Father,
It’s your daughter Lisa. I have some friends that are hurting, they are discouraged,
they are beaten. We ask that their treatment be effective, with no side effects. Please remind them
that you are with them. Comfort them. As they pass through that flood of emotions and fight the fire,
may they know that you are there. In the name of Jesus we pray and ask these things. Amen
©lisacarol99@gmail.com
they are beaten. We ask that their treatment be effective, with no side effects. Please remind them
that you are with them. Comfort them. As they pass through that flood of emotions and fight the fire,
may they know that you are there. In the name of Jesus we pray and ask these things. Amen
©lisacarol99@gmail.com
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