Living with psoriatic arthritis from one colleague

26/07/20242 min read

Written byEmily Coates

Reviewed byHeeral Patel

Around 220,000 people in the UK and Ireland have psoriatic arthritis. Our in-store colleague shares their story about living with the condition

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Joints, Aches & Pains

“Invest in a good pair of socks, be kind to your body, don’t be afraid to ask for help and don't overstretch yourself…” Just a few insights from psoriatic arthritis warrior Éabha Campbell, an H&B colleague in our Monaghan store.

It’s estimated that 220,000 adults in the UK and Ireland^{1, 2} have psoriatic arthritis (PsA). And each year, over 8,000 adults are newly diagnosed.^{3, 4} As many as 12,000 children have juvenile arthritis⁵ too, but only around 5% of these are psoriatic.^{6, 7} Éabha proudly shares their story of living with the autoimmune condition since childhood, which mainly affects your joints and bones.

What is psoriatic arthritis?

“Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain and inflammation of joints in the body. It’s similar to rheumatoid arthritis but it’s linked with the skin condition of psoriasis,” Éabha explains.

“My pain rarely stops me. I've lived with it for a long time and I'll continue to live with it”

“The main effect is on my joints, as the swelling that happens when my arthritis is at its worst and can cause permanent damage.”

Any of the 78 joints in our bodies can be affected by psoriatic arthritis but the most common are hands and feet, wrists, knees, elbows and neck.⁸ Early symptoms include the likes of swollen and inflamed joints, low energy, a red skin rash, nail changes, tendon pain and swelling at the back of the heels.⁹

But the good news is that Éabha is undaunted: “My pain rarely stops me. I've lived with it for a long time and I'll continue to live with it.”

Tell us more about your story…

“I had psoriasis as a baby and then joint pain and stiffness from age eight. It started in my knees and ankles until eventually as a teenager it started affecting my whole body. Because of my age it was assumed to be growing pains, but my hands and feet started to swell and seize, leading doctors to my diagnosis when I was 14,” shares Éabha.

What is it like living with psoriatic arthritis?

“Even with several medications, my arthritis is not fully controlled, meaning that I usually have daily pain, mostly in the mornings and at night. This can affect all aspects of life, including socialising and working. Despite the pain, I try hard to stay active (even though it’s not always possible!)”

“I can still do things like nights out and holidays, just sometimes a little differently than able bodied people”

“Having psoriatic arthritis means I'm constantly thinking of my body, factoring it into every work day, holiday, workout or even just a night out. I can still do these things, just sometimes a little differently than able bodied people,” Éabha continues.

“Sometimes I walk with a mobility aid, but when I don't my illness is almost completely invisible, meaning I have to constantly explain myself when asking for support. I am completely independent and plan on being like that for a long time,” they say.

“It's often the small things that affect my life the most, my hands are quite weak meaning I can't open most jars, bottles or cans, but adaptive tools have made this much easier,” says Éabha.

What is the condition like for different seasons in the year, such as cold or sunshine?

“My joints do not like the cold! I often have flare ups during the colder months, and so warm socks, jumpers and gloves are my best friends. Heat definitely helps my pain, but exacerbates my psoriasis. So the summer can be tricky to navigate if it gets too warm,” they say.

Do you have a top tip for those living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA)?

“I don't really have many tips that people with psoriatic arthritis haven't heard a million times over. Invest in a good pair of socks, be kind to your body, don’t be afraid to ask for help and don't overstretch yourself.”

“But realistically I'm 23, I've been diagnosed nine years and I've never taken any of that advice. My good pair of socks are often abandoned for a much nicer looking pair that hold no heat. I'm constantly overstretching myself in fear of missing out and dealing with the repercussions. And I am way too stubborn to ask for help,” admits Éabha.

“My tip is to not be afraid to live with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). It affects every part of my life but it has never slowed me down like I thought it would when I was 14. It's not a scary thing, just something that I carry with me in life!”

If Éabha’s inspired you to learn more about psoriatic arthritis, they found Arthritis Ireland really helpful. You can also find out more from The Psoriasis Association and The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA).

Disclaimer

 The subjective patient story above should not be regarded as medical or health advice; no reliance should therefore be placed on them. Products are not medicinal unless otherwise stated. Please speak to a healthcare professional before taking any new supplements or products to find out if it is suitable for you.

This article is for information only and should not constitute as medical advice. This story was that of one patient, and everyone is different and thus may have a different experience. Please speak to your doctor if you have psoriatic arthritis and are considering taking any new supplements for the first time.

Sources

1. Druce KL, Belay Birlie Yimer, Humphreys J, Njuki LN, Bourke D, Li M, et al. The epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis in the UK: a health intelligence analysis of UK Primary Care Electronic Health Records 1991-2020. Rheumatology. 2023 Nov 2;

2. PsO Let’s Talk Psoriasis: Expert Advice & Support [Internet]. www.janssenwithme.ie. [cited 2024 Jul 19]. Available from: https://www.janssenwithme.ie/en-ie/pso/resources/pso-lets-talk-psoriasis

3. Versus Arthritis. THE STATE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH 2024 [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://versusarthritis.org/media/embkyapu/the-state-of-musculoskeletal-health-2024.pdf

4. What is psoriasis? [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Jul 19]. Available from: https://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/media/InformationSheets/9410_PSO_WhatIsPsoriasis_v8web.pdf

5. Did you know children can get psoriatic arthritis? [Internet]. Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA). [cited 2024 Jul 19]. Available from: https://www.papaa.org/learn-about-psoriasis-and-psoriatic-arthritis/caring-and-support/children/children-with-arthritis/6. Brunello F, Tirelli F, Pegoraro L, Dell’Apa F, Alfisi A, Calzamatta G, et al. New Insights on Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis. Frontiers in Pediatrics [Internet]. 2022 May 26;10. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9199423/

7. Augustin M, Glaeske G, Radtke MA, Christophers E, Reich K, Schäfer I. Epidemiology and comorbidity of psoriasis in children. British Journal of Dermatology. 2010 Mar;162(3):633–6.

8. Psoriatic arthritis [Internet]. Arthritis Ireland. Available from: https://www.arthritisireland.ie/psoriatic-arthritis

9. Psoriatic Arthritis [Internet]. www.arthritis.org. Available from: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/psoriatic-arthritis