Jonathan Arora talks openly about his journey from diagnosis to treatment. He addresses his initial hesitation due to concerns about drug safety and side effects, offering insights into overcoming these fears and finding community.

Among the highlights in this episode:

3:16: Scaly skin was the major symptom that prompted Jon to talk to his doctor about treatment. After attending a seminar where he learned about treatment options and drug safety, he finally felt comfortable enough to start medication for his psoriatic arthritis.

4:58: Becoming immune-compromised and having to depend on medication for the rest of his life were Jon’s main hesitancies for starting medication. Hear what he did to shift his mindset and get comfortable with his treatment journey.

6:24: Jon’s talks about his first oral biologic band what prompted him to explore different treatment options.

8:08: Jon talks about the drastic change in his symptoms after making a change to a new treatment.

10:53: Jon talks about waking up up with flares, despite his treatment working well.

12:20: Jon shares how getting support from friends, family, and the PsA online community helps him immensely.

16:23: Jon’ details how his view of his psoriasis plaques has evolved since he was first diagnosed. While he used to cover them, he now prioritizes comfort by opting for short sleeves and shorts in hot weather.

18:32: Jon shares his advice for someone that is newly diagnosed.

19:39: Pushing for a referral to a specialist, such as a rheumatologist or dermatologist is one of Jon’s best pieces of advice for self advocacy.

21:09: Dr. Ruderman chimes in, emphasizing that it’s important to push for referral to see a specialist if you are not getting results from your general practitioner

22:45: Jon shares a relatable anecdote about a friend urging him to apply oil from canned fish on his psoriasis plaques.

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Angela Degrassi, Research Manager for Patient-Centered Research at the Global Healthy Living Foundation: adegrassi@ghlf.org

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