I thought perhaps there should be a thread dedicated to the positive things we can still take away from life with PsA, no matter how silly or trivial.
For example, my methotrexate arrived this morning (in the post! is this normal?!) I looked at the page-long list of possible side effects, running to around fifty items, and I thought to myself “well, there’s nothing there that doesn’t already occur every time I see Theresa May or Donald Trump on the telly.” That’s got to be a positive, right?
Ha! PsA has bestowed upon me the ability to assiduously scrutinize my physical self without feeling like a hypochondriac. I’ve learned to recognize the razor’s edge where doing too much might lead to feeling a lot worse down the road. I’ve learned when to go for it, when to take it easy, and when to simply get horizontal and wait for things to get better. I’ve also learned that, although sometimes it might take a long, long, time, my sense of wellness usually does ultimately pick up again. Perhaps it’s taught me to be a minimally optimistic realist. A minoptilist?
I don’t think scrabble would accept that word. I know how you feel about getting horizontal and waiting for things to get better, but this is a family forum! 
Cats. I own cats, have foster cats, volunteer with a rescue.
This week I’m getting quite the workout. I’m helping a friend out who is away on vacation. She has about 25 cats, so you can imagine the cleanup. I’ve got the mid day shift with my kids. They play with cats and pet them, I feed and clean. And then I sit with some cats for some snuggle time.
25 cats! sheesh!
I hobbled to the beach for a swim this evening. It hurt a bit but it’s the hyper-awareness of my body I dislike most. After swimming I could stride along quite happily, quite carefree. I’m lucky that’s how PsA gets me, I find much relief in exercise. The contrast makes me really appreciate the times when my body still works well, simple things like walking can be so enjoyable.
I’m still on the steroids at the moment, and looking forward to a record fair tomorrow that I can actually walk around for once rather than spending ten minutes in because it’s as long as I can stand!
I, too, feel better when I’m moving–slowly, but in motion - “busy”. It keeps my mind off my worries and that is really the best medicine for me! People give me a lot of crap for some of the things I do too much of–namely, helping our kids…but, helping them is truly what keeps my mind off myself!
One thing I’ve learned is to pace myself and not be Wonder Woman anymore. A little help is better than no help at all, and as long as I’m able to do most of the things I did before PsA and whatever else is cramping my style, I’ll try to be thankful and look on the bright side!
Thanks for starting this discussion, darinfan! We sometimes need to be reminded of just how good we have it!
One good sign - I went out today and left my walking stick in a shop and didn’t notice for twenty minutes!
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!! 
And managed to get to the cinema and sit comfortable through a two-hour film tonight. First time in a very long while I’ve managed that.
On the bright side, we have this site to to go to when we have to be horizontal! Also, it’s summer!!! I am grateful I have time to heal up and be horizontal. Btw, be careful the new super sticky Solanpas patches on your feet. They can take off your skin, especially if you rip them off quickly ( to avoid the pain,ha). On the bright side, the old less sticky Salonpas patches work great at decreasing mild swelling. I use them at night and my feet feel so much better in the morning.
A major positive …I discovered swimming. I took swimming lessons, which I wouldn’t have done if I hadn’t got PsA, and I have discovered a whole new world which I love. I’m happy horizontal in the water!
I always say my silver lining is learning to slow down and enjoy… the now.
I am blessed this has happened to me while my daughter is still small, and I’m not sure how things would have panned out without PsA. As horrible as this disease can be, I think that part has been a true silver lining for me.
Whoot Whoot! After I went to my first Weight Loss Center appt. today, I went resale shopping. I was looking for ideas to make a day bed “frame”. As I hobbled around I found
the Habitat Rehab store, I found a day bed frame fir 35.00 and then it ended up being half off! Needs some work but that’s okay. On the bright side, I probably would not have been resale shopping today i didn’t need to get horizontal to heal up.
I’m also excited to start my journey to health with wonderful support! So I went out and ate too much Mexican food in anticipation of dieting.
I think that before this mess started, I was more aloof with my wife. “Manly” perhaps. But, this has quickly shown me just how badly I need her, and that has made me more attentive to her.
For example, for years she would walk the dog each afternoon, come back and make dinner while I just did whatever. Now we walk the dog every afternoon, and I make sure to help with dinner and anything else I can.
There are times when the pain is at its worst and I just flat out need her help. So I now make the conscious decision to be there for her at every point that I can.
So, I guess in a way, it has brought us closer together, which is a good thing.
Peace,
-Dave
Love that. That’s anyway how it should be, don’t you think? So it most is certainly a brighter side to all this for the pair of you.
Dave, that’s a beautiful self-reflection. And a pretty big achievement - it is not easy being in a partnership with PsA for either party, so what a wonderful thing that it has brought you closer together.
On the bright side…this group has made a positive difference in my life…sure it’s not fun having psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, but it’s nice to know we’re not alone and others care and understand when we need a shoulder to cry on.
Hi all,
I have a Bright Side to report.
I’ve learned to crochet, knit and cross stitch thanks to PsA.
Keeps brain and hands busy !