When you work 40 hours a week, the last thing you want to hear is, “Can you work some overtime?” For me, overtime doesn’t just happen at the office — it happens in my body. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) doesn’t stop when the workday ends. Sometimes it keeps going for 3 or 4 hours a night, which feels like an extra 20 hours of “overtime” on my body every week.
The Reality of Living with Psoriatic Arthritis
The aches and pains of PsA are real and exhausting. I’ve learned to be a strong and functional employee, but by the end of the day, my body demands relief.
- My legs and feet crave rest.
- Fatigue often leaves me too drained to socialize.
- Sitting at a desk with double monitors for 8 hours intensifies the stiffness.
People sometimes mistake this for being anti-social. What they don’t understand is that psoriatic arthritis is an invisible illness.
The Invisible Pain of PsA
People often say:
- “But you don’t look sick.”
- “You look so nice today.”
What they don’t see is the hidden pain beneath the smile. The truth is:
- I hide my pain, but it’s always there.
- Remission, something I’ve read about in others, hasn’t come for me yet.
- Living with PsA feels like a constant 24/7 job — there’s no true break.
Coping With Psoriatic Arthritis “Overtime”
Over the years, I’ve developed my own toolkit to cope with the extra hours PsA demands of me.
1. Heat Therapy
- A heating pad helps soothe swollen joints.
- Heat provides relief after long, exhausting workdays.
2. Proper Positioning
- Poor posture or sitting too long makes PsA worse.
- Long car rides taught me how important correct positioning is.
3. Supportive Pillows
- Extra pillows reduce strain on sore joints.
- A firm pillow for neck support eases morning stiffness.
4. Staying Cool
- Biologics sometimes cause my body temperature to spike.
- A bedside fan is a lifesaver on nights when I feel like I’m burning up.
5. Disability Parking
- Using my disability parking decal eases the physical toll.
- Some people don’t understand because I “look fine,” but looks can be deceiving.
Finding Support
Through the years, I’ve built a support system that helps me manage life with PsA. They don’t always fully understand my pain, but they stand beside me — and that matters.
Most importantly, I’ve stopped apologizing for what I can’t do. If I need to say, “Hey boss, I can’t do overtime today”, then that’s okay. My health must come first.