Today, October 29th, is World Psoriasis Day. Each year I look forward to this day as I think about the 125 million people around the world who understand on some level what it means to live with psoriasis. Nobody needs to feel alone with this disease.
This special day each year is sponsored by the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA). I volunteer as a Psocial Ambassador (blogger) for a member association, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). The theme this year is PsoSerious: Treat Psoriasis Seriously. The NPF encourages those living with psoriasis to pledge https://www.psoriasis.org/world-psoriasis-day/pledge to take one action toward treating your psoriasis more seriously.
My World Psoriasis Day Action: Get a Flu Shot
A couple days ago I got a flu shot in honor of World Psoriasis Day. Three years ago, during Easter weekend, I truly had influenza. I experience high fever, extreme fatigue, and achy muscles among other symptoms. The doctors ruled out sepsis/infection with a blood test and at the same time tested for viruses. Sure enough, I had H3N2 Influenza A late in the flu season.
I sadly missed out on speaking at Good Friday Service and Easter Sunday Worship at church. I hated putting that extra work on my colleagues, but I could not even get out of bed. In twenty years of ministering in churches that Easter is the only one I have missed. On a different Easter weekend I even spoke on two hours of sleep as I kept watch over my sick daughter. Not much keeps me away from church on Sunday.
The worst part of getting Influenza A, though, was not work related. My psoriasis and eczema flares with fever, especially from bacterial and viral infections. It’s a huge trigger for me and I try to avoid getting sick at all costs because of it. That means getting a flu shot is important and necessary to manage my skin during the winter and spring seasons.
A worthy action for me in honor of World Psoriasis Day.
My psoriasis and eczema flares with fever, especially from bacterial and viral infections. It’s a huge trigger for me and I try to avoid getting sick at all costs because of it.
Take Psoriasis Seriously
This year’s World Psoriasis Day resonates with me for another reason as well: psoriasis is serious business. I shared a frustrating part of my psoriasis story at the Experience Innovation Network’s CXO Roundtable in San Francisco last Tuesday. I sat at Table 7 as the patient partner in a design workshop meant for healthcare executives. The workshop led the participants through the steps of designing healthcare around the patient from the beginning of the process. The challenge I presented before my table involved my multiple insurance denials for combination therapy.
As I voiced the story of using multiple treatments to treat recalcitrant psoriasis since childhood I could see the deep concern and compassion on the participants’ faces. They felt frustrated along with me as I told about an inflexible insurance provider that would not cover two expensive medications that I needed to properly treat my psoriasis.
I know I am a few weeks away from becoming covered from head to toe with psoriatic lesions if treatment fails me completely. I can’t stomach the thought of returning to the misery and pain of red, painful, hot, and itchy lesions all over my body. When my skin is flaring that much I can’t hide it all under clothes as I would want to. Unwelcome stares and questions invariably follow me wherever I go.
I’ve also learned how psoriasis causes inflammation throughout my body, not just on my skin. I hate hearing about those studies that show that those with psoriasis are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and other autoimmune conditions as comorbidities. With severe psoriasis and lots of inflammation over the years I just might die younger than I otherwise would have.
I’ve also learned how psoriasis causes inflammation throughout my body, not just on my skin.
Indeed, it goes without saying that I must take seriously adopting changes and treatments that minimize those impacts psoriasis might have on my quality and longevity of life.
But Not Too Seriously
At the same time, I’m learning to not take psoriasis too seriously. It’s easy for me to lock my mind and emotions with my condition. I am obviously more than my psoriasis, and life is more than clearing my skin inflammation. I don’t need to take myself or my psoriasis too seriously.
My wife Lori recently reminded me the important role laughter has in healing. I fell in love with her infectious laughter, and her ability to laugh together at some otherwise painful circumstances and challenging situations. We had a silly moment in Wal Mart where we wore plush masks out late on a shopping date (should’ve purchased these for Halloween!)
Life gets too serious sometimes, so I need to continue to find ways to bring some levity and perspective even in the midst of insurance denials, flaring skin, and frustrating treatments.
Check out the Treaments Tried page for my personal experience taking Otezla and Tremfya!
Personal Family Update: Taking Care of Mom
Finally, I want to give a family update that has impacted my life, including my blogging and social media advocacy. My mom learned she has advanced stage lymphoma a couple months ago. I’ve been flying to Southern California every three weeks to accompany her to oncology appointments and chemotherapy infusions. As I write this I am on my way to Orange County to take mom to the infusion center in Irvine, CA the next two days.
I love my parents dearly and am glad I can be an hour away to help them when needed. Unfortunately, I’ve needed to take a break from writing as work at church, family, and personal health took precedence. Praying mom responds well to treatment and can experience remission after these courses of treatment.
PsoHoward 