Living

I have now been living with AS for the past 11 years. At the beginning, flares came very frequently, and in an intense way. It felt like anything could trigger...

It is the worst wildfire season in history. That’s the rhetoric I keep hearing from the media. In all fairness, it may be so on a national or continental scale...

For the last 6 months, I’ve been navigating the special pharmacy world extensively. For a variety of reasons, my health insurance benefits changed 3 times in that span of time...

I finally found my stride. Everything is great (or as great as it could be). My body is holding up, my joints aren’t screaming, my energy is good, and I’m...

Sleepless nights are something I been writing a lot about. It's part of the biggest struggle I've been having. I know I am not alone on this one. As going...

The four minute mile--many people know how the story goes. No one was able to run a sub 4-minute mile and it was deemed impossible, until one day somebody named...

When we think about our lives with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), it can sometimes feel like we're battling eternity. An eternity of chronic pain, stiffness, fatigue, all of the comorbidities, doctors...

Many years ago people tested the authenticity and purity of silver and gold by dragging samples over special stones. The resulting color of the touchstone’s mark verified the metal’s content...

In today's society, the prevalence of autoimmune conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), is rising. These conditions, affecting millions worldwide, require careful management to alleviate symptoms...

Over the past few months, I have struggled to cope with my health anxiety. On some days it's just as prevalent as my chronic pain conditions. When I was younger...

Living with a chronic condition like AxSpa can be challenging on its own, but when external factors exacerbate the symptoms, the struggle intensifies. Keegan, my husband, has been battling AxSpa...

One of our family’s favorite pastimes has always been going away camping. I’ve missed quite a few of those trips over the years thanks to AS. It always tugs at...

When I was first diagnosed with an arthritic condition, I felt very confused and alone. I always thought arthritis was a bit of knee pain that my grandmother used as an excuse to get out of taking me to the park...

I have something very exciting to share! After 6 whole years of applying, getting denied, appealing, and getting denied again, I’ve finally been accepted for disability support! It was a...

Flying is always a nightmare with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Even when I've flown in best-case scenarios—like in an upgraded premium seat—the pain remains, and the days after a flight leave...

Having a chronic illness like AS can be utterly exhausting. Not only are we already exhausted from the fatigue that it forces on us, but we also need to put...

I’ve been having trouble sleeping at night. I’ve been stressed, and not only am I struggling to quiet my mind enough to find deep sleep, but I’m tossing and turning...

There was a time when the changing seasons used to bring me joy, but now it seems to give me joint pain mostly. I used to think it was "all...

I am a faker. I admit it. But I bet it is not what you are thinking. I fake people out about how well I am doing. In fact, I am...

Life is a tug of war between disruptive chaos and the things we want and need to do. Lots of cool things happen along the way, but this struggle is...