Jennifer’s journey: The unseen struggle of living with psoriatic arthritis
Our colleague’s experience with psoriatic disease and the needs that exist for patients
Psoriatic arthritis, which affects up to 30% of individuals diagnosed with psoriasis, is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that impacts the joints and skin. Jennifer Meade, a Bristol Myers Squibb employee, is one of the many people who have experienced this dual diagnosis. Five years after first being diagnosed with psoriasis, Jennifer began to notice persistent joint pain, stiffness and fatigue — symptoms that eventually led to a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.
This life-altering condition not only brought physical challenges but also emotional ones too, significantly impacting her daily routine, work life and relationships. Watch the video below to hear Jennifer’s story firsthand and learn of the ongoing unmet needs faced by patients navigating these chronic conditions.
Hi. My name is Jen Meade. I live in New Jersey and currently work at our Bristol Myers Squibb site in Summit, New Jersey in the Cell Therapy division.
I've been living with psoriatic arthritis for about 15 years.
I was originally diagnosed with psoriasis, and then about five years later, I started having joint issues. That’s when I got my psoriatic arthritis diagnosis.
I think I chalked a lot of those early symptoms of psoriatic arthritis up to other things like psoriasis or just being tired.
When I had the psoriasis diagnosis, no one really talked to me about psoriatic arthritis.
The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis really vary for me. Some of the predominant ones are obviously swollen joints and actual permanent changes to my joints. The daily inflammation that goes along with that. I've lost range of motion in some of my joints. So, my right elbow doesn't straighten. My fingers are permanently swollen, and they have actually had, you know, structural changes that will not be reversed. I also suffer from chronic fatigue, which is probably one of the hardest symptoms to manage.
Living with psoriatic arthritis has taught me how to listen to my body.
I really have to be very hyper focused on what my body is telling me every day.
Psoriatic arthritis affects my ability to attend parties and family functions almost on a monthly basis. The issue is really the unpredictable nature of it.
I think there is always a need for more treatments.
The ideal treatment, right, would be one that covers my psoriasis and my psoriatic arthritis.
Being part of a company that is researching, you know, medications for something you live with every day,
It's really life changing to know that there's so many people here working for me and my family, and I just can't thank you enough.
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