Savannah

In January 2024, after months of walking in pain, unable to close my fists or perform simple daily tasks like cooking, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis. These are two autoimmune diseases that attack your joints, slowly destroying them until there’s nothing left, causing them to painfully swell and deform over time. The psoriasis creates itchy read blotches on my skin, causing my hair to fall out and affecting my face, arms and legs. When I was first diagnosed, I didn't even know what an autoimmune disease was, now I have to permanently use a crutch and occasionally use my wheelchair when I want to join my family on days out. I was told by my Rheumatologist I would be in remission within three months, now, nearly three years later, I can't even walk without being in excruciating pain. It's hard to watch my family and friends move on with their lives when I'm still stuck waiting for any type of relief from medication, but nothing has worked to calm down the inflammation yet. What's difficult is asking for retesting and being told 'no', waiting weeks or months for a 10-minute phone call with a doctor that gets me nowhere, people asking me if the meds work or if I feel better and having to explain why I'm back in the same place I was three years ago, only now I walk slower and barely leave my house because of the pain. It's not all bad but it's difficult. People don't understand how chronic pain can drive you crazy, even when you look fine on the outside. Not getting a break from your own body is so strange and for me it wasn't one big event that took away my mobility but it happened slowly and I don't really know when/if it will stop.