Redefining My Identity With AxSpaI’ve told my personal story with AxSpa many times over. Following my diagnosis I decided to help create awareness by creating a blog called Living Well With AS. In it...reactions7comments
My New Diagnosis of ColitisI wrote about my new digestive issues back in the summer. Back then I didn’t know what would come of these new issues, but I’m here to say I now...reactions4comments
Having a Parent Care for MeI was 21 years old when my AS started getting bad. It's been almost two years since my condition has worsened. I've found some treatments that keep my condition more...reactions6comments
Learning to Live Again with My IllnessA while back I started becoming overwhelmed with my health. It felt like I was being controlled by it day in, day out and left me feeling like I had...reactions3comments
Festive Flare UpsFlare ups of my axial spondyloarthritis don’t come with too much of a warning. My disease does not believe in timely invitations, likely because it knows there is no way...reactions2comments
What Is the Social Health Network Community?Like our other Health Union condition communities, the Social Health Network brings people together to drive unique and impactful conversations about health. It also aims to expand opportunities for health...reactionscomments
What Is the Social Health Network Community?Like our other Health Union condition communities, the Social Health Network brings people together to drive unique and impactful conversations about health. It also aims to expand opportunities for health...reactions4comments
4 Ways Self-Care Is Like KnittingI’m learning to knit. This was entirely unexpected after 15 years of crochet and a lifetime of being surrounded by crochet. My mother crocheted. I crochet. My (imaginary) daughter Dawn...reactions4comments
Don't Be a Pain in My AS!When you become ill it seems like everyone around you all of a sudden becomes a "doctor." They want to tell you what you should be eating, how you should...reactions4comments
Reminders For Days When I Haven’t SleptTyped into the notes section of my phone are a collection of messages that no one sees but me. I think of them as my AS first-aid kits. Some of...reactions5comments
My First (And Only) Experience With HumiraIn late 2017, I was prescribed Humira, an immunosuppressant delivered to my home in a Styrofoam crate accompanied by many colorful pamphlets. To learn how to inject myself, I went...reactions4comments
Where Is My Energy When I Need it the Most?Energy is what we need to keep going. Energy is what we need to feel good. Energy is what we need for our day to be productive. Energy is what...reactions9comments
How to Cope With a New DiagnosisBeing newly diagnosed can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. While a new diagnosis is never easy, I share some steps that helped me cope with the mental impacts of...reactions4comments
How I Cope With AS and FibromyalgiaEveryone deals with pain and fatigue differently. Those are my main symptoms from AS and fibromyalgia. My fibro diagnosis came a few months after my AS diagnosis. At first, I...reactions20comments
The Long DriveEvery year my wife and I drive down to the family cabin in Georgia. This trip is significant to me because it is my annual week to recharge before the...reactions3comments
My New Food and Movement in Managing Ankylosing SpondylitisContent warning: Eating behaviors and nutrition. There are usually three camps when it comes to managing ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The first is the pharmaceutical camp...reactions19comments
The Weight of FatigueOf all the ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia symptoms I experience daily, fatigue is one of the worst. For me, it’s just as bad as the chronic pain. I’m just always...reactions14comments
The Negative Impact of Positivity CultureI once worked for a company where the notion of positivity was prized above all else. Falling short of your sales target? Stop finding excuses! Current system not working? Stop...reactions6comments
The Moment I Stopped FightingThe AS warrior! I was a fully fledged soldier on the battle to fight this disease. I threw everything at it and with aggression. Phrases such as "my body hates...reactions3comments
The Big Ride With Ankylosing SpondylitisI did “the big ride of the season,” at least for me. It is the big bicycle ride in downtown Indianapolis; it is called the Indy N.I.T.E. Ride. It started...reactions9comments
