Has P/PA had any positive effects on your life?

[jotee]

Hi All,

I'm sure that generally most of us feel quite negative about psoriasis or psoratic arthritis and rightfully so. But in a 'cup is half full' way... are there any positive effects that have come out of having this/these conditions??

For me I would say yes:
- Firstly, I found this forum and the wonderful people in here.
- As a knock on effect of joining this forum, I've made a good friend (another P-ey like me) who is (occassionally! ) quite inspirational to me and good fun!
- I feel more educated about the health system and take more ownership of my own health through this education. (Not just in respects of P)

Does anyone else have any other positives?

x

[hank]

Sorry Jotee,
I can't say anything positive has come out of this, considering I've had it most of my life all it has done is prevented me getting jobs and doing things, then there are the side effects of meds which nearly killed me  and of course the thoughts of I'd be better off dead.
Sometimes when I think of what I have had to put up with I could just cry and say I can't take it any more but I'll soilder on and try as best as possible to put a positive spin on it.

I would say this site and the people I have met through it has helped cope with it a bit more

[Rover_N_Out]

I have to agree with Hank Jotee sorry.

I don't see anything positive at all about having p/pa!

Of course PHO has helped deal better with it even though I'm a newbie on here!

[racheld]

oh I think there has been some positives.

Of course I have met some lovely supportive people on here and it's nice to be able to vent with people whi are in similar situations.


Also I guess it has made me quite a determined person in life.

[sarah9786]

There are a few positives for me, I am a lot more educated about the health system, I empathise with other people very well and I know a little bit more about employment law. However, this is because for years I've been very naive; optimistically thinking that employers would understand I occasionally need time off with my condition (instead of discriminating, which is my usual experience, lost me 2 jobs and a college training course, so much for disability discrimination laws); that doctors would understand rather than just treat symptoms and stupidly assuming that people won't judge me by appearance alone.
PA has taught me that overall life is unfair and unless you fight until you drop all the time for your right to be heard/seen as equal you won't get anywhere. I think overall it has made me a kind generous person but wary of others, and I still need to develop that (ironically) thicker skin. I'm sorry for the negative post but I've got manflu and I'm feeling grumpy!

[kerrieginge]

Yeah there are definately postives for me. Like I found this place and all you guys, people I consider good friends on here. Plus I think its helped me learn not care so much about what people think about me, if they dont like the way my skin looks then thats their problem.

I have no idea how long this way of thinking is going to last, I'm just in a pretty good mood today 

[mickey]

Hey Jotee, what  an  excellent thread.

Yes I think there are plenty of positives

Not wanting to blow my own trumpet but here goes:

I  think I  am  a nicer person for it, as I think you are more aware of other peoples miss fortunes in life.

It has  encouraged me to travel with regards to a  healthy climate for it and probably one of the major reasons  for my career break  was  my skin.

I agree with Jotee on the health front, as you  do take notice of healthy stuff like fish and supplements.

Probably saved a  fortune too, with not having much luck with the ladies, and  not shelling out loads  of wonga  on the wining and  dining malarkey  

There definitely are positives , oh and of course knowing all you lovely PHO'ers

[Poker Face]

So far for me this has had no positive effects on my life, only negative.  I am hopeful though that one day something good will come out of all this.  It has to! Got to keep thinking that or it would make it a lot worse to cope with.   For now though, nothing good has come from it.

[bjm]

Its saved my life..

P made me eat better, quit smoking , cut down on sugar, take my vitamins, lower my blood pressure, get good sun and vitamin D...in small steps it forced me to not be a victim.... my P and psa  were severe but have been under pretty good control for the last five years , i think  it will add ten years to my life. .i'm a lot healthier now then i was 6 years ago.

  when i was in a severe state..

it made me sweep the floor and  gave me something to feed the fish.
  

[Charlotte_S]

I am glad that there are people who have managed to take something positive away from P/PA.

For my own part.  No positives at all.  It has made me more defensive and less open.  It has only lessened my quality of life and confirmed every negative view I have of other people (I have had no pleasant surprises in how people have dealt with it - ranging from indifferent, to prying, to calling me a leper).  I am no more or less aware of the general ills in the world.  My ability to sympathise or empathise with others seems unimpaired.  I am less able to cope with stress and adversity.

I cannot claim it made me improve my diet, it only limits me from eating certain foods that I previously enjoyed, or that it makes me take my vitamins (I took them before).  I have never smoked, nor do I drink much.  My exercise regime (such as it is) remains the same as it always has.  I have not gained or lost weight.  I socialise less and I cry more easily.