Living

I had high hopes for my rheumatologist appointment on Monday. It was my first face to face consultation in over 2 years and I felt weirdly excited. The night before...

It’s my third week on my new job, as I am still in training. As I am writing this article, I have tears in my eyes from the tiredness. I...

When you’re down in the dumps for so long, sometimes it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or any light at all. Waking up and...

So much about living with a chronic illness leads to feelings of overwhelm. Whether it’s worrying about coverage for medication, struggling with the responsibilities of everyday life, or dealing with...

On Monday the 4th of October I received a text saying that my rheumatologist had referred me for a third dose of the Covid vaccine. My appointment was that Saturday...

The colder months are by far my least favourite time of the year. Sure, the snow is beautiful and it means I have an excuse to stop shaving my legs...

Going away for a weekend break or a holiday is one of my favorite things to do with my boyfriend. It still is even though our holidays have changed since I became...

In my opinion, fatigue is the worst arthritis symptom. My fatigue is unsurpassed in deactivation powers. Arthritis is always there, ticking away in the background, sometimes so quietly that I...

Some days, I don't really feel much like a caregiver to my husband, Keegan, who's suffered from AS for more than 10 years. The routine of getting up at 5:30...

Growing up as a competitive skateboarder, the pain I experienced from the age of 15 in my “hips” (actually SI joints) was considered some sort of injury. This pain fluctuated...

Editor's note: This article discusses weight and dieting. Have you ever heard of the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA)? I have been a passive member for about three years, and...

As we all know, chronic fatigue is without a doubt one of the most challenging symptoms. It will outright stop you in your tracks and cause whatever balance you have...

I started on biologics about a year and a half ago. I was prescribed Humira on a bi-weekly cycle, meaning one injection every 14 days. I was told at the...

Movement. Something we all know helps us with AS. Movement is medicine. Have you heard that before? I know I have. But what if we don’t want to move? I...

As the days get shorter, darker and much colder, my body can tell that it's winter. The cold aches my body and intensifies my pain and oh how it makes my spasms angry! Christmas is my favorite time of...

Before I got sick, I would never make time for myself. I was always on the go. Working many hours while attending college, meeting my boyfriend and my friends. I...

One thing I’ve noticed on my journey with chronic illness is that no two spoonies have the same story. The same condition can affect everyone differently, both mentally and physically...

It’s been a long bumpy and extremely tiring ride. I been off work on sick leave, for the past 2 and a half years. To be honest I still feel...

One of the most frustrating things about having an invisible illness is knowing that other people can’t see the pain I’m in. Although I talk and write about it often...

We, as humans, are creatures of habit. Sometimes if we are not careful, we can get lost in the daily hustle and bustle of our lives and the schedules and...