Living

When I'm in a major flare-up, I already know what I need to do in terms of physical pain management. I need to make sure I’m taking my medication, 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...

Today was my 3 month follow up appointment with my rheumatologist. I am trying keep a smile on my face and find some positivity out of today's appointment. I don't...

My paternal grandmother was Team Meal Prep before it was cool. She had no choice, working full-time while raising 4 kids on her own, taking in sewing and commissions, and dealing...

I feel like it’s almost impossible to have AS and not have mental health issues, too. It just affects every part of our lives. Having depression and AS feels like...

As Covid restrictions ease here in Ireland, my anxiety levels are doing the opposite. I understand that we can’t live forever in a lockdown, we as a world need to...

There’s a lot of weight that comes with living with a chronic illness. We often don’t show it, because if we did surrender to that struggle, it would be difficult...

I’ve returned to that point again, one I’m sure you’ll recognize. The dreaded flare. Bit by bit the pain has crept back in, interrupting my sleep and turning me into...

While not a topic that pops up often, it’s one that’s close to my heart. The journey I’ve taken with Keegan, my husband with AS, shifted my perspective on spirituality...

If you read my articles "An Unrealistic Outlook on Exercise" and the "All or Nothing Approach" you'll know that I haven't been successful with finding an exercise program that works for me...

Sometimes Keegan, my husband with AxSpa, doesn’t need me. Sometimes, Keegan is back at 80% or 90% or 99%, and I am not needed. It’s a strange place to be...

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 woke this morning around 4:30 a.m. thinking of my father. When I was a child, he was up at the crack of dawn watching the sunrise, drinking his instant...

I’m sitting here after a long day of work along with Keegan, my husband with AS, talking about how the weather wrecks his body every spring. For Keegan, while the...

One of the things that really helped me understand and move through some of the grief and confusion of my AS diagnosis was the realization that not everyone with ankylosing...

The National Institute on Mental Health says that self-care “means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health.”...

“In sickness and in health” is a pretty common wedding vow, I don’t know who wrote it, but their script is a best seller. Brides and grooms say this vow...

The Media Habits Survey is now closed. Thank you for your interest! Managing a chronic condition is not easy and can be physically and mentally exhausting. What types of media...

In 2022, everyone is extremely sick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trust me, so am I. I’m just not so eager to completely get back to normal, and here’s why. I...

Cultivating and sticking to a strict routine when your symptoms can change, worsen or arise quite suddenly can be challenging to say the least. I have always been someone who...