Psoriatic Disease, Small Fiber Neuropathy and More: Angela’s Diagnostic Odyssey

When Angela was 25, she was used to physically pushing her body. She was a runner who had always been healthy, besides being suspiciously hypermobile. Then one day at the gym she suddenly became unusually exhausted, and her legs felt like they were on fire. This would kick off a years-long diagnostic odyssey that would see Angela diagnosed with several chronic illness including psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, small fiber neuropathy, hypermobility and more. That burning in her legs was nerve pain caused by small fiber neuropathy. Discussing this disease, Angela says she has a "special place in my heart for that little monster, it helped me get diagnosed with everything else." In this episode of the Major Pain podcast, Angela educates us on psoriatic disease (psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis) while also recounting her diagnostic journey. The quest to diagnose her multiple chronic symptoms involved horrific medical gaslighting, misdiagnoses and mistreatment. But it also highlights the wonder of finding the right doctor, when she found a neurologist willing to also order rheumatology labs when Angela's own rheumatologist refused to do so. Throughout this process Angela felt internal and external pressure to hide her pain and continue to push through. She discusses the importance of being kind to yourself, self-advocacy and seeking community around chronic illness. PlayWatch the episode on YouTube, or listen on all major podcasting platforms.