Canceling Plans Because of A Psoriasis Flare

Living with chronic illness often leads to unpredictable days. You never know how you will feel each morning, and sometimes you even feel differently from one hour to the next. A new plaque arises, your self-esteem just isn't having it, you don't feel up to answering questions or combatting rude stares, the pain and fatigue are just too much.

These are just a few reasons on whether you will be able to follow through on the plans you have made. For many of us with psoriasis or chronic illness, canceling becomes part of life.

The heavy impact of psoriasis

To find out more about your experiences, we turned to the PlaquePsoriasis.com Facebook page. We asked community members to tell us: “Have you ever had to cancel plans because of a flare?”

A number of you responded with your experiences. Here is a look at what some of you shared.

Had no choice

Many folks living with plaque psoriasis have come to accept that canceling happens. For some, it happens so often that it has become their normal. It can be common to want to push through or to try to find a way to make your plans work, but that can end up leading to more stress. In turn, this can make psoriasis flare worse and lead to canceling even more plans.

“I have canceled events – not because I wanted to, but because I had to.”

Felt too tired to say yes

The fatigue – both physical and mental – that comes with living with plaque psoriasis can make it too challenging to show up. For many, the physical symptoms of this diagnosis lead to ongoing stress and fatigue, which impact our mental and emotional well-being too.

“Fatigue and low energy can often accompany this terrible condition.”

“I am so tired, mentally and physically.”

Stressed by certain appointments

You may find that the commitments and appointments you are especially stressed about increasing your flares, which then causes your stress levels to soar yet again. It can become a vicious cycle. This can happen with things like the dentist or a mammogram, or even knowing you have to navigate the airport or host your in-laws for dinner.

If you find that you continually feel increased stress about certain commitments, it may be worth taking note of. Try planning ahead so you can build in time for rescheduling if possible.

“Every time for my dentist! Dentists increase my stress level, hence another attack on my face, neck, and arms.”

Accepted that it happens every day

Many in the community have been living with plaque psoriasis so long that they no longer wonder if they will need to cancel plans. Every day, they ask themselves which plans they will have to cancel. They have learned that other people may be disappointed, and that is okay. You cannot please all of the people all of the time.

“Every day. There was so much more I wanted to do, but my skin hurts.”

“Plaque psoriasis changes everyday life, not just 1 event.”

Thank you for sharing

Living with a chronic illness means you learn how to recognize and honor your own needs, and that is what matters. You have to put yourself first in order to increase the chances that you will be able to accomplish the most important things each day.

Thank you to everyone who weighed in for this story. We appreciate hearing such a variety of perspectives.