Living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be challenging, not only due to the pain and discomfort but also because conveying that pain to your doctor is not always straightforward. For many patients, explaining the intricacies of their symptoms—especially when pain fluctuates from day to day—can feel like an uphill battle. If you’ve ever found yourself in a doctor’s office, struggling to articulate your PsA pain, you are not alone. In this article, we’ll explore how to explain your psoriatic arthritis pain to your doctor in a way that ensures clear understanding and better treatment outcomes.
The Struggles of Communicating Psoriatic Arthritis Pain
Psoriatic arthritis can be an elusive condition to explain. The symptoms often fluctuate, and they don’t always fit neatly into the typical pain scale or verbal descriptors that doctors use. Katie Roberts, a PsA patient and advocate for the Arthritis Foundation, mentions the anxiety she feels when trying to describe her pain: “Sometimes, the pain isn’t even present during the appointment, making it difficult to articulate past experiences accurately.” This can leave both patients and doctors feeling frustrated.
However, there are ways to navigate this communication barrier effectively.
1. Don’t Downplay Your Pain
When you’re sitting in front of your doctor, it’s essential to be as honest and direct as possible about the level of pain you’re experiencing. Many patients, like Meredith Amoroso, have downplayed their pain, especially when they didn’t “fit the stereotype” of someone suffering from PsA. Meredith recalls, “I was an athlete, looking like a healthy young person, and I was embarrassed to share the severity of my pain.” Unfortunately, this leads to delayed diagnoses and ineffective treatments. So, when asked to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10, be truthful and don’t downplay it.
2. Don’t Just Focus on the Moment
It’s tempting to describe your pain as it is at the moment of your doctor’s visit, but that can be misleading. Psoriatic arthritis pain can vary throughout the day or week, and your symptoms may not be at their worst during the appointment. Meredith advises, “Even if I feel okay during the visit, I make sure to mention how I struggled earlier in the day.” For example, you might say, “This morning, I could barely turn my neck, and that pain was a solid 10.” Including these fluctuations can provide your doctor with a more accurate picture of your experience.
3. Be Extremely Descriptive
Instead of simply saying, “My elbow hurts,” go a step further and describe how that pain affects your daily activities. For example, instead of generalizing, say, “I have a sharp pain on the inside of my elbow that prevents me from holding a coffee cup for more than a few minutes.” Providing context like this helps your doctor understand the severity and impact of the pain on your life.
4. Keep a Pain Journal
One of the best ways to communicate your symptoms to your doctor is by keeping a detailed pain journal. Writing down when the pain occurs, how long it lasts, and what activities trigger or relieve it can provide vital information to your doctor. Katie Roberts recommends starting your journal at least a week before your doctor’s appointment. “This gives me a chance to track patterns, like whether certain weather conditions make my joints ache more,” she explains. A pain journal can make your consultations more productive and provide valuable insights for your treatment plan.
5. Use a Pain Questionnaire
The Arthritis Foundation provides a pain questionnaire that can be a great tool when talking to your doctor. The questionnaire helps you track pain location, duration, and intensity, as well as what activities worsen or improve it. You can fill out this form before your appointment and bring it with you. This information can serve as a solid starting point for the conversation and ensure that no symptom is overlooked.
6. Make the Pain Conversation a Two-Way Street
Effective communication is a two-way process, and it’s essential to foster an open dialogue with your doctor. Katie Roberts suggests asking your doctor questions about what you should be paying attention to in terms of symptom changes and when to follow up. For instance, you might say, “I’m having pain in my elbow when I do these specific activities. What other signs should I look for, and when should I reach out again?” This gives you an opportunity to learn more about your condition and allows your doctor to understand how you’re managing your PsA.
7. Build a Trusting Relationship with Your Doctor
Over time, building a strong, trusting relationship with your doctor can make it easier to communicate your pain. Alison Winaker, who has lived with PsA for years, emphasizes the importance of consistency in doctor-patient communication. “I’ve built a relationship with my doctor where she knows my pain thresholds. I don’t need to reach out for minor discomfort anymore, but when I do call, she understands that it’s time for a change in treatment.” This trust allows both parties to be more efficient in addressing the symptoms and adjusting the treatment plan.
8. Share All Your Symptoms, Not Just the Pain
Psoriatic arthritis often comes with a range of symptoms beyond joint pain. Dr. Norman B. Gaylis, a rheumatologist in Florida, points out that PsA can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because there’s no specific blood test for it. For this reason, sharing all of your symptoms—such as fatigue, skin rashes, and even nail changes—can provide your doctor with important clues for diagnosing PsA accurately. Meredith Amoroso, who was diagnosed after mentioning an issue with her thumbnail, stresses, “What may seem like an unrelated symptom could actually be a crucial piece of the puzzle.”
9. Ask for Clarification on the Pain Scale
The pain scale (1 to 10) that doctors commonly use can sometimes feel overly simplistic, especially for those with chronic conditions like PsA. Meredith advises asking your doctor for examples of what constitutes a “1” or a “10” on the pain scale. “For instance, a 3 could be mild discomfort, and a 10 could be pain so severe you can’t move.” By aligning your pain scale to something tangible, it becomes easier to express the severity of your symptoms accurately.
10. Advocate for Yourself
At the end of the day, effective communication about your pain starts with self-advocacy. Don’t hesitate to speak up, ask questions, and demand the level of care that you deserve. Your doctor is there to help, but it’s important to remember that they can’t help if they don’t fully understand the extent of your pain.
Conclusion
Describing psoriatic arthritis pain to your doctor can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can improve the quality of your consultations. By being honest, descriptive, and prepared, you can ensure that your doctor understands your condition and helps you find the best treatment. Whether it’s keeping a pain journal, having a candid conversation, or asking for clarification, these steps will make a big difference in your care. Remember, you are your best advocate, and clear communication is key to living well with psoriatic arthritis.
