Widespread, but Under-recognized Megan Park's Secret Life Off-Screen

Mediaplanet spoke with Secret Life of an American Teenager star Megan Park about living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease, and how she balances the disease’s unpredictable nature with her demanding lifestyle.

Autoimmune diseases include more than 100 chronic and debilitating conditions such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), atopic dermatitis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple forms of arthritis. However, the category remains one of the most misunderstood and under-recognized group of illnesses.

Defining the disease

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system’s normal responses go awry. When this occurs, the immune system attacks the very parts of the body it’s designed to protect: healthy cells and tissue. These diseases can affect almost every part of the body, from skin and eyes to the brain, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems.

Although autoimmune diseases affect an estimated two million Canadians, targeting women three times more often than men, they can be difficult to diagnose. In fact, patients have reported seeing up to five physicians over a span of three or four years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. To complicate the issue, once an individual develops an autoimmune disease, the odds of developing another are increased.

A growing sense of optimism

Fortunately, there is hope for those affected by autoimmune diseases. Indeed, there is a growing sense of optimism in the medical community based on an increased understanding of the immune system, why it becomes overactive, and the role that genetics may play in the evolution of the diseases. The research and development of new therapies are improving patient outcomes and this ground-breaking work will continue in the years to come. We are living in an exciting time where progress in the treatment of autoimmune diseases offers a bright ray of hope for all Canadians.

Megan Park I was diagnosed at age two, so I think the initial fear and worry was absorbed by my parents, who told me that it wasn’t an easy diagnosis as RA can often be initially mistaken for other ailments. But they always made me feel that this was just a small part of my life, not my entire life, which I’m grateful for.

MP It’s hard to find information on alternative treatments or all the other side effects that can arise. For example, I found that I developed certain food sensitivities that made a huge difference in the occurrence of inflammation in my body. Living in California has also had a significant effect on my pain due to the weather and barometric pressure changes. These factors aren’t always talked about as much when it comes to RA.

MP I still struggle with the fatigue and it’s probably the hardest side effect to manage, especially with long hours on set. I simply cannot stay up late or go out on my days off. I have to try and get as much sleep as possible and rest my joints every second I can when I’m on set.

Mediaplanet What advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with RA or another autoimmune condition that might not be widely understood?

MP Do as much research as you can on your own. Find a community and other people going through the same thing. It’s easy to feel isolated, so make sure you find people who understand.

“My parents always made me feel that this was just a small part of my life, not my entire life.