DDPYOGA and Autoimmune Disorders

I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder for the last two and a half years, and that disorder is Psoriatic Arthritis.  Due to the pain I frequently deal with, finding an exercise program that I can do without injuring myself further or that I can maintain has been difficult.  Additionally, managing my condition with just medication simply hasn't been working over the course of the last two years.  When I began the DDPYOGA Program in January 2013, the idea was to see how I could manage my condition with improved eating and overall physical health.  Although I have continued to struggle in some respects, I have no doubt in my mind that following DDP's program has really changed my life for the positive.  I think it's worth mentioning that I have an autoimmune disorder because I know people who suffer from them.  It often takes years to get diagnosed and that can lead to some major frustration.  However, finding good means to help control the symptoms is key.

While there is no magic pill or magic answer, the combination of DDPYOGA and eating gluten free has been the best thing I have found so far and my search has been over a decade long.  Most importantly though is this: the exercise and gluten-free eating are just the start of the changes I've made.  I have a lot of personal goals.  I'm hoping once I reach a few of my initial goals, for example, I will be able to kick the meds to the curb, but I'm taking it one day at a time and one challenge at a time!  I'm also really hoping as I go through this process, I can help other people particularly those who've been bogged down by the oppressive weight (no pun intended) of an autoimmune disorder.  I'm not the most patient person in the world, but I recognize that my body got into this shape over the course of the last 39 years and I can't fix it overnight.  It's going to take time, and, yes, patience.

A LITTLE FYI...

In the event you’ve never heard of Psoriatic Athritis or have but don’t know what it is, I’m going to provide a brief synopsis of the disorder for you. It’s a combination of information from www.webmd.com and a couple of other internet sources that provides a broad overview of the disorder along with most common symptoms. Psoriatic Arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have Psoriasis — a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. (Or as it is in my case, a less common form of Psoriasis known as Palmoplantar Pustulosis which only occurs on the palms of the hands or the soles/sides of the feet.) Most people develop Psoriasis first and are later diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis, but the joint problems can sometimes begin before skin lesions appear. Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the main symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis. They can affect any part of your body and can range from relatively mild to severe. In both Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, disease flares may alternate with periods of remission. There is no cure for Psoriatic Arthritis so the focus is on controlling symptoms and preventing damage to joints. Without treatment, Psoriatic Arthritis can be disabling and frequently involves inflammation of the knees, ankles, and joints in the feet and hands. Joint stiffness is common and is typically worse early in the morning.

Psoriatic Arthritis can also cause inflammation of the spine (spondylitis) and the sacrum, causing pain and stiffness in the low back, buttocks, neck, and upper back. In about 50% of those with spondylitis, the genetic marker HLA-B27 can be found. Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis can also develop inflammation of the tendons (tendinitis) and around cartilage. This inflammation may lead to inflammation of a tendon at the site where it inserts into the bone. Inflammation of the tendon behind the heel causes Achilles tendinitis or Plantar Fasciitis in the soles of the feet. Inflammation of the chest wall and of the cartilage that links the ribs to the breastbone (sternum) can cause chest pain, as seen in Costochondritis. Changes to the nails, such as pitting or separation from the nail bed can also occur. There is extreme exhaustion that does not go away with adequate rest. The exhaustion may last for days or weeks without abatement. Psoriatic arthritis may remain mild, or may progress to more destructive joint disease. Periods of active disease, or flares, will typically alternate with periods of remission.