Surgery, Procedures, Multiple Treatments, Oh My!I can honestly say after 4 years of dealing with my AS diagnosis, I have become a guinea pig! And not the fluffy cute kind. The kind that feels locked...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
I Was Diagnosed With FibromyalgiaFor those who may not know, Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, sleep issues, and many other symptoms. Fibromyalgia has been a question mark in my...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Early AS Signs I Wish I Picked Up OnI 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...Reactions0reactionsComments29 comments
Pop Quiz #1: Learning More About Ankylosing SpondylitisTest your AS knowledge and take this short quiz! How many did you get correct? Share in the comments below!...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Monday Mornings Can Be the Hardest for MeMonday morning, time to get up for work. My alarm clock keeps ringing and I keep putting it on snooze. There are 5 minutes until I start for work. Thankfully...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Don't Let a Smile Fool YouBehind that smile of mine hides many things, that I decide who to open up to and tell. Would you be able to tell that I have an invisible illness? Would...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
Going Out for a Day and the ResultAbout a month ago now, I went downtown for a day trip with one of my close friends. I knew immediately when we got the idea that this would be...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Long-Term Effects of UveitisI was freshly out of college and going into grad school when uveitis struck — and it struck hard. I was otherwise perfectly healthy, a privilege that is glaringly obvious...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
How It's Been Going With AxSpaGetting diagnosed started off as such a bumpy ride. Every day looked hopeless. Every day looked like things would not get better. Every day I would be in bed. Most...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
5 Things I Learned From Leading an AS Support GroupIn 2007 I opened my Facebook-based support group up for business, and it has provided me a lot of knowledge and understanding about our community as a whole. Here are...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
The Arthritis Advocacy IcebergThe dictionary identifies an advocate as a person who publicly recommends or promotes a policy or cause. Ideally, it's a good or relatively neutral cause rather than a bad one...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
From Self-Help Guru to Disability AdvocateA few years back I created a mental health and wellness website to both share my journey through self-discovery and in hopes to help inspire others to prioritize their overall...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
A Painful Return To PillsI'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...Reactions0reactionsComments17 comments
The 2024 Social Health Awards ProgramEditorial Note: Nominations for 2024 are now closed. We are very excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Social Health Awards program! The Social Health Awards is an awards...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The 2024 Social Health Awards ProgramWe are very excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Social Health Awards program! The Social Health Awards is an awards program recognizing Health Leaders who make a difference...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
When Chronic Illness and Stress CollideWhen stress presents itself in my life it tends to turn my life inside out and entirely consume my mind. Everything else of importance is thrown out the window and...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
I'm Not Returning to College CampusThis semester college has returned full-time to campus, but I am unable to return to campus due to my AS and being immunocompromised during the COVID-19 pandemic. I thought: well...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Getting My Driver's License With Ankylosing SpondylitisI got my license this month! After 7 years of constantly failing tests, I finally did it. Driving is not for everyone, some struggle with it more than others. I...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Understanding is Love: My New Mantra“Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand you can’t love.” -Thich Nhat Hanh If you met me and told me about a problem you are having in your...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Trauma and Health AnxietyDuring 2020 — when the pandemic began — I developed what I call extreme health anxiety. Living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) just made it all the worse. I lived (and...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments