I am Wonder Woman (Living with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis)

By DianeT

3 min read

As a patient living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, I can easily say that I am powerful. My whole life I have been my own superhero whether anyone else thought I was or not.

For all of you that are familiar with the cartoon character Wonder Woman, you know that one of her characteristics was that she endure things with her strength.

She was always looked at as a Warrior Princess. She was given the power to come against those things in her life that would try to hold her down. Yes, I can relate. Many things when you have a sickness will try to hold you down and hold you back.

Finding strength with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis

I find myself having to be a superhero for myself and others. I am a strong woman. I am also a strong woman with pain. I must be a warrior in all I do. When I think of the injections I must take; I’m a warrior. We know Wonder Woman was a true warrior.

I love being an advocate and all that it represents in standing for the cause of my disease. Wonder Woman was an ambassador in her role for humanity. Strength and endurance are at the forefront of living with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

I need so much strength on a daily basis. Wonder Woman was a fighter in all that she set out to do. Her equipment was often her lasso of truth, magic gauntlets, and her invisible jet. My daily equipment includes my faith belt, my knowledge that there is a purpose for my diseases and lastly to show others that this wonder woman does exist.

Being a super advocate

I look at myself as being good and strong. I have always wanted to take the world by surprise and face any challenges. My goal has always been to fight for people who couldn’t fight for themselves. I wanted to become a super advocate.

There are days I wish I didn’t have to think about my disease. I just want to think about something else; just for a minute. Most definitely these diseases have made me a better person I believe. It’s helped me to appreciate what others who have the pain go through.

We can all learn from our sickness and be a brighter light in this world. We can be powerful, full of strength even living with the day to day symptoms that try and strike us down.

Overcoming visible and invisible symptoms

Many times people just don’t get it that these diseases are more than what appears before the eyes. It affects everything concerning your autoimmune system. It does things that sometimes as patients we don't even know what’s going on ourselves.

I know that in life along with the swellings, inflammation, pain, we must still enjoy life. If I can just for a moment be any cartoon character; it is Wonder Woman.

My continual journey of taking my invisible jet and going places all across the world. This is what I believe is the excitement of her, she never allowed anything to stop her from being adventurous and neither will I. She was always out to be a help to somebody.

Continuing on with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Yes, I have my challenges like everybody else with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and fibromyalgia. I don’t know what the future holds, but I will always move forward to fight this journey.

I’m not one to complain, but I do experience pain daily. I’m happy to say that I do have an active lifestyle with psoriatic arthritis; with drugs of course.

It’s okay for me to use my imagination and be creative in my mind to see myself as anything I want.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The PlaquePsoriasis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Lisa Marie Basile Moderator & Contributor
You are so wise. I love this: “My daily equipment includes my faith belt, my knowledge that there is a purpose for my diseases and lastly to show others that this wonder woman does exist.” I am sorry you’re in pain! PSA runs in my family and I have AS. Solidarity!
Shanna Mandrell Member
When I was 7 years old, I took a smallpox vaccination at school! It blistered up but wouldn’t break and scabb over! One day a girl accidentally slapped me on the arm and it broke and I broke out everywhere with cowpox! The CDC says that there was never a case of cowpox in the US but I have told them that they are wrong! They quarantined our house because I had it! It was diagnosed by my family Dr and a Dermatologist Specialist in San Diego! As the cowpox started to go away, I broke out with psoriasis all over my body! I missed a half year of school going to San Diego to the specialist all of the time! I had to apply coal tar medications twice a day and my parents invested in a sun lamp but nothing helped! I have been to Dermatologist’s on the east coast and west coast and no one could help me! When I went to school and had to wear dresses then, I would have large patches on my legs and arms! The kids would tease me and always say “you have the heart break of psoriasis” because the commercial was popular then! They also told me that I was a reptile with scales! Kids can be so mean sometimes! My parents had to go to school over the situation more than twice! I have always been an athlete and have stayed in shape! I love to swim and workout in the pool because it doesn’t hurt when you’re in the water! I spent many years playing sports! Softball,volleyball, basketball and track! Sometimes I did hurt but I would just push myself harder! Recently, my boyfriend and I bought a new home! His daughter and four kids were going to stay with us until they could afford their own place! She failed to tell us that she had a dog and a cat! I am very allergic to cats! When she showed up with both, her dad said that they couldn’t be in the house because we have spent thousands of dollars on our floors and I was allergic to cats! They trashed our new home and they moved to the hotel in Tulsa where she was working! Before she left, she cussed me out, screamed at me and used God’s name in vain! I’m a Christian and I do not approve of that! Especially when you have kids, it’s only a matter of time before they pick it up! If we would have been alone, I probably would have physically thrown her out but I wasn’t going to stoop to her level and I would never do anything like that in front of children! I was so stressed out that that night I broke out everywhere and I started getting large patches all over myself! I had to take Benadryl constantly whenever I felt warm! I had been on Otezla and I had gone off of it because I was supposed to be getting it free with a card that my dermatologist set me up with and when I called the number to activate the card, they told me that since I had insurance, it was going to cost me $1,400! I couldn’t afford that! It was ridiculous! I stopped taking it when I ran out! I went to the Dr where I live and he told me to bathe in my “triamcinalone cream” and I made an appointment with a new dermatologist! I do have the psoriatic arthritis and my feet were bothering me so I went to my doctor and he X-rayed my feet and told me that my feet were really bad with the arthritis and that I really needed surgery! I said no! I’ll walk on them until I can’t walk anymore! Unfortunately, I also have osteoarthritis, deteriorating disc disease and fibromyalgia! I am in pain everyday but I refuse to take pain medications because they are so dangerous! I have had many surgeries! Some days are good and some are really hard! It’s strange that if you get a bruise or any kind of cut or injury, the psoriasis will attack it! I recently fractured my toe and they broke out on my foot and toe! Hopefully, the new dermatologist can help me and get me straightened out again! I’m 66 years old now and every little pressure change affects me along with the weather! I can always tell everyone that it’s going to rain because I can feel it ahead of time! My best advice is to stay in good shape and do as much as you can and enjoy the rest of your life! Stay away from “toxic” people that can stress you out, eat healthy and exercise! What’s funny is that I have prayed every single night of my life since I was seven years old that I would wake up and the psoriasis would be gone! It’s never happened but I know that someday when I meet my maker, they will be gone for good! God bless each and every one with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and just remember, someday, they will be gone! ❤️🙏🏻
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 Wow @Shanna Mandrell you have definitely been through a lot. That is a lot to endure. I'm sorry you had to experience that situation. Do you know about Patient Assistance Programs to help cover cost of co-pays? I guess I should ask first are you on Medicare. It does make a difference when getting Patient assistance. Hoping the new dermatologist has some answers for you more than just creams. Vickie W., Team Member 
2. DianeT Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention username="Lisa Marie Basile" user-id="4558825"/> , When I read this; I thought I had written it. Our life mirrors each other in so many ways. I will be 66 next month and have been praying since I was a child too. My co-pay for my medication is $8,000. I just got on Medicare. There are places that can help you as Vickie mentioned. It was tedious and time-consuming, but at the end of the day, it was worth it. You are right about staying in shape. I lost 60 pounds and was able to get off of diabetes and high blood pressure medication. I have to be monitored very closely. Did you ever find a good dermatologist? This is also a part of our journey. Everybody can't treat us, even if they are doctors. Let us know how you are doing. We would love to hear from you. Diane (Team Member)