James Hollens

There has been a lot of talk about long Covid and the lasting physical effects of the virus. I really feel for anyone out there experiencing long Covid and it got me wondering if this pandemic...

I've previously spoken about the mental challenges of having AS and being immunosuppressed during the pandemic. Unfortunately, that was just the tip of the ice berg. Here are some more (of the many) aspects...

Brain fog is definitely one of the more annoying symptoms of AS. It’s bad enough that this condition robs us of our mobility at times but stealing our brain power as...

After spending the best part of two years under virtual house arrest in an attempt to protect myself from COVID, it finally found its way to me. Annoyingly, I was...

I am often asked if there were early warning signs prior to my AS diagnosis. I used to believe that there weren’t any and it all happened suddenly. I’ve spoken...

I'm ever so grateful for my medications and they have completely turned my life around. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2015 and ankylosing spondylitis in 2019. During these...

In my pre-diagnosis days, the only thing I enjoyed more than a trip to the pub was one to the gym. In the months before AS turned up to spoil the party, I...

If you read my previous article "Trouble Falling AS-sleep," you will know just how abysmal my sleep pattern had become. After writing the article I arranged a phone appointment with...

As someone with multiple chronic illnesses, I am no stranger to being misdiagnosed. This is usually by doctors attempting to find the latest reason for my misbehaving immune system. I...

I'm not surprising anyone by saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse effect on peoples' lives. However, I believe those of us with chronic illnesses have been disproportionately affected...

I have always been a bit of a night owl, but since AS forced its way into my life, it has taken things to a whole new level. The fact that I’m...

At the end of my article "Too Disabled to Employ, Not Disabled Enough to Help", I was about to apply a second time for disability allowance, following countless unsuccessful attempts...

One of the most frustrating aspects of living with a chronic condition like AS is that often our friends and family don’t fully understand our situation. I can’t say I...

I am often asked if there were early warning signs prior to my AS diagnosis. I used to believe that there weren’t any and it all happened suddenly.  I’ve spoken...

To be frank - when I was first diagnosed with AS I was embarrassed. I didn’t know a single person with an arthritic condition aside from my grandmother who was...

I like to think of ankylosing spondylitis as a very intense personal trainer that uses the threat of my spine fusing together to motivate me to exercise. Aside from all the physical and...