Making Space for Self CompassionBeing kind to yourself is important when you have a chronic illness like ankylosing spondylitis. Some days self-compassion means cutting myself some...reactionscomments
My Experience With Low Dose Naltrexone for ASFor many years now my approach to living well with ankylosing spondylitis has involved a healthy dose of curiosity and a willingness...reactions5comments
Breaking the Vicious CycleI’ve returned to that point again, one I’m sure you’ll recognize. The dreaded flare. Bit by bit the pain has crept back...reactions3comments
The Year of Living PainlesslyI’m firmly knocking on wood as a write this, but it’s been 12 months without a flare. Apart from two pregnancies, during...reactions5comments
Stress, Grief, and Ankylosing SpondylitisIt doesn’t feel like a stretch to say that stress has always made my AS symptoms worse. Most medical professionals and the...reactions4comments
Getting Back in Touch With My BodyI’d suffered from the pain of AS for years when I began to notice how disconnected I was from my body. Everyone...reactions3comments
When it Comes to Pain, How Much is Too Much?As a health coach who specializes in axial spondyloarthritis I often find myself talking with people about their experience of pain. Unsurprisingly...reactions3comments
How I Found a Balance Between Conventional and Natural TreatmentI was newly diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and still celebrating freedom from pain when I noticed the first signs something affecting my...reactions3comments
The Value of a Getting a DiagnosisGetting told I had axial spondyloarthritis filled me with two big emotions: fear and relief. I didn’t want to be told I...reactions3comments
Five Things I Learned About Dietary Change for Ankylosing SpondylitisGluten-free, paleo, dairy-free, nightshade-free, starch-free, GAPS...if there’s a diet recommended for ankylosing spondylitis, I’ve probably tried it. Soon after my diagnosis, I...reactions3comments
How a Proud Person Learned to Ask for HelpI’ve always tried to be someone you can count on when the chips are down. It brings me joy to offer help...reactions2comments
Experiments While I’m Waiting for a CureDo you remember the first question you asked when you were told you had AS? For me it was immediate - “Is...reactions4comments
The Upside of Getting a DiagnosisThe night I found out I had AS is permanently imprinted on my mind. I was working late supervising a new team...reactions2comments
There’s No "One Size Fits All" With Axial SpondyloarthritisIf you and I were to sit down and compare notes about our health we would probably have much in common. I’m...reactions3comments
The Lies I Told Myself Before DiagnosisIt’s roughly twenty years since I first noticed my symptoms. Eight years later I would finally hear them referred to as clear...reactions12comments
How Seeing My Symptoms Differently Changed EverythingI remember when I found out I had an autoimmune disease. Learning my body had begun to attack itself was a strange...reactions13comments
