What symptoms of AS do you experience?
Chronic, long-term back pain is one of the most commonly reported health problems in the United States. Not surprisingly, back pain is also the most reported symptom by people living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
Other symptoms may also occur with axSpA, such as uveitis, fatigue, psoriasis, heel, shoulder, foot, and other joint pain.
Chronic low back pain, mid back pain, shoulder pain, pain in the tops of my feet and my heels, my hands, the tendons of my knees. I have horrible night sweats, pain in my hips, and debilitating fatigue.
I was just diagnosed a month ago, but have been having various symptoms on and off for 20 years. 30 years ago I started having all over pain and debilitating fatigue and 14 years later was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Several of my doctors over the years told me they thought I had an autoimmune disease, and I am currently on my fifth rheumatologist (who I was sent to by my neurologist). My pain has gotten progressively worse and popped up in different areas, plus other symptoms that keep showing up. I’m really hoping my new medication will bring me some relief. I am glad you have found our AxialSpondyloarthritis.net community. Is there any specific information that you are looking for right now? All the best, Kathy (Team member)
Chronic pain, brain fog, dependence on opioids (because I can't take NSAIDS for pain), decimation of my quality of life, weakness of the vertebrae ABOVE my fused ones, enthesitis, etc. etc. etc.
Pain's impact on quality of life is major! And dependence on opioids is frightening. Have you talked to your doctor about the newly FDA approved class of pain medicine sodium channel blockers (such as Journavx)? These are neither opioids or NSAIDs, so I am very interested in learning more about them. Do any alternatives to pain medication help ease your pain or improve your quality of life? Warmly, Kathy (Team member) Not really, not enough to be able to get off of the opioids, unfortunately. A CBD/THC blend helps a little, lidocaine patches help a little, muscle relaxants help a little, and acetaminophen helps a very little (when combined with the opioids). Acupuncture did not help at all. Neither did yoga, meditation, or mindfulness training. I feel like I've tried it all -- except for the new medication you mentioned. I will ask my doctor about that!
Extreme fatigue, itchy elbows and ears, pain, nerve pain, brain fog
Sensitivity to cold
You are not alone! You may wish to check out this article by one of our health leaders about how she prepares for winter. "Warmly," Kathy (Team member)
