Beside my profile picture are the words how are you. I hate being asked any form of how I am. I always wonder how people would react if I am honest with my answer. How would it make them feel if I told them that instead of oh I'm fine, I told them that I am in constant pain. In my line of work, as a server, I get asked how am I today or some form of that all the time. I wonder how these strangers would react if I told them "Well today I broke a tooth because I clench my jaw so hard when trying to walk." What would they think if I told them that carrying their drinks to the table makes me feel like my wrist is about to snap. How do you think the lady at the grocery store would react if I told her that while I look fine the truth is that my immune system is right now attacking my skin and joints. My normal answer when asked how I am is to just say oh I am good or feeling fine. But I always wonder how people would react to the truth.
I also wonder about my own reaction. If I asked a stranger how they are and the answer was something other than fine how would I react. I hope it would be with concern and sympathy. So what I would like to know is how is everyone doing. Right now my hands are on fire, cracked, and bleeding. My knees are the most painful joints today and I am just thankful that I can walk. I am really thankful that I have been diagnosed so that I can start treatment and hopefully get this under some type of control.
Like you, I hate for people to ask me how I am. And like you, I almost always give the standard answer of "I'm fine".
I hope it all works out for you and you feel better soon. You might want to discuss your condition with your boss to see if there are some changes he/she can make until you can get your condition under control. I did, and although there haven't been changes yet (other than the ones I've made myself), I know they're working on it. I recently decided it's time for me to be a little selfish at work. I put a "please do not disturb" sign on my door (most people respect it, but not all) and actually started taking time for lunch (I normally work through, eating at my desk while answering emails, working on tasks, etc.). My next step is to try to actually take breaks.
Big tip I've recently learned - when you tell people you have PsA, they usually give a puzzled look, make sure to point out that it's an autoimmune disease that is causing your immune system to attack your body. It goes a long way. When I first mentioned PsA, the reaction I got was a no big deal reaction (in hindsight, I think because they didn't know what it was and made assumptions). Once I explained what it is, the reaction I get is much different.