Learn more about the range of symptoms you can experience with psoriatic arthritis, the importance of talking to your doctor about all of your symptoms in order to help improve your care, and how doctors and patients can use a measure like minimal disease activity to make sure that your PsA symptoms are getting better across the board.

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Learn more about the medication treatment options available for psoriatic arthritis, the importance of treating inflammation to reduce the risk of joint damage and other complications, and why your doctor needs to know about all your PsA symptoms in order to help pick the right treatment approach for you.

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Exercise, diet, stress and mental health and more: Learn more about healthy lifestyle changes for psoriatic arthritis and how lifestyle changes and medication work together to help you manage your condition.

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Imagine exercising for a living, then being diagnosed with a condition that makes picking up weights almost too painful to bear. When Lauren was diagnosed with PsA, she had a lot of concerns about what it would mean for her professionally (as a trainer) and personally (as a mom of young children). “As a personal trainer, I can’t just tell people to work out,” Lauren says. “I have to live the lifestyle that I preach. However, if I am flaring, it is hard, and I have to really listen to my body and know what I can handle.”

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Diane should have been diagnosed with PsA well before she actually was. As a woman of color who grew up poor, she endured decades of inadequate treatment, misdiagnosis, and stigma. But she also learned a lot about how to turn things around and advocate for better care. “Someone told me a bunch of years ago, you have a voice, use it,” Diane says. “That had to be the best advice ever. Use your voice.”

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Eddie’s PsA story involves a relatively quick journey to getting diagnosed and on treatment. But he’s had his share of challenges along the way, and that means plenty of wisdom to impart about the many curveballs that PsA can throw your way. “If you don’t say something, then nothing’s going to change,” Eddie says. “[Doctors are] wonderful people. But clairvoyance is not something that is taught in med school.”

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Ashley Krivohlavek discusses her challenging journey to find the right PsA treatment. She talks candidly about her initial fears of starting treatment and her concerns through seven treatment changes, weighing the potential side effects against her quality of life.

Among the highlights in this episode:

5:16: Ashley Krivohlavek shares what it was like to wake up one morning and know it was time to make her first appointment with a rheumatologist.

7:21: Dr. Ruderman, an expert rheumatologist, weighs in on the key hallmarks of inflammatory arthritis that signal it’s time to start exploring Treatment decisions

9:01: Ashley shares her journey to get diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.

10:33: Ashley talks about the difficulty of starting treatment with an oral medication that caused stomach issues, and shares what she did about.

11:45: Ashley reveals what was going through her mind when she was resisting starting a biologic to treat her PsA and talks what ultimately convinced her to start treatment.

14:57: Ashley uses an app called ArthritisPower to track her symptoms and treatment so she can collaborate with her rheumatologist to make better informed decisions about treatment.

17:05: Ashely shares what it’s like to make the difficult decision to make the switch from infusion therapy to an injectable.

19:32: Ashley describes what it’s like to have a flare and what she does to take care of herself during these times.

23:04: Ashley talks about building an online community for support.

Contact Our Host

Angela Degrassi, Research Manager for Patient-Centered Research at the Global Healthy Living Foundation: adegrassi@ghlf.org

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

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Jonathan Arora talks openly about his journey from diagnosis to treatment. He addresses his initial hesitation due to concerns about drug safety and side effects, offering insights into overcoming these fears and finding community.

Among the highlights in this episode:

3:16: Scaly skin was the major symptom that prompted Jon to talk to his doctor about treatment. After attending a seminar where he learned about treatment options and drug safety, he finally felt comfortable enough to start medication for his psoriatic arthritis.

4:58: Becoming immune-compromised and having to depend on medication for the rest of his life were Jon’s main hesitancies for starting medication. Hear what he did to shift his mindset and get comfortable with his treatment journey.

6:24: Jon’s talks about his first oral biologic band what prompted him to explore different treatment options.

8:08: Jon talks about the drastic change in his symptoms after making a change to a new treatment.

10:53: Jon talks about waking up up with flares, despite his treatment working well.

12:20: Jon shares how getting support from friends, family, and the PsA online community helps him immensely.

16:23: Jon’ details how his view of his psoriasis plaques has evolved since he was first diagnosed. While he used to cover them, he now prioritizes comfort by opting for short sleeves and shorts in hot weather.

18:32: Jon shares his advice for someone that is newly diagnosed.

19:39: Pushing for a referral to a specialist, such as a rheumatologist or dermatologist is one of Jon’s best pieces of advice for self advocacy.

21:09: Dr. Ruderman chimes in, emphasizing that it’s important to push for referral to see a specialist if you are not getting results from your general practitioner

22:45: Jon shares a relatable anecdote about a friend urging him to apply oil from canned fish on his psoriasis plaques.

Contact Our Host

Angela Degrassi, Research Manager for Patient-Centered Research at the Global Healthy Living Foundation: adegrassi@ghlf.org

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.