What My AxSpA Diet Looks LikeWe hear a lot of conversations around well-being and diet, especially so in the chronic illness community. We often are told that diet will be the cure for AxSpA (or... By Jes Hojsan2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
When Asking "How Are You?" Does More Harm Than GoodDespite having lived with Keegan, my husband with AS, for over 8 years, I'm still learning a lot about how to communicate. I'm always one for checking in frequently throughout... By Auldyn Matthews2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
How Do I Connect with Real People Living with AxSpA?Navigating life with axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) can be scary or confusing, especially when going through it alone. After hearing those words “You have AxSpA/AS,” it is hard to know where... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Getting Out of Bed with Spondyloarthritis, Part IFor years, my "good morning" attitude has been squashed by chronic illness. Enduring a restless night of pain associated with spondyloarthritis (SpA) makes it much more difficult for me to... By Rebecca C4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
A Confession: Things Are HardWhen I get dark, I get really dark — but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with confessing it. In fact, why keep it in — why let the engine... By Lisa Marie Basile2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
Beginner's Tips for Your Rheumatologist VisitsOver the past few years, my mom has dealt with a few chronic health conditions (she's actually in the process of determining if she has a form of AxSpA herself)... By Lisa Marie Basile4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Self-Care with a Chronic IllnessI never truly partook in self-care until I became sick. Now, it’s probably one of the most important things I do for myself. Since I’ve had AS, I’ve had to... By Steff Di Pardo3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
AxSpA Pain ManagementFirst of all, managing pain is different for everyone. During my journey, I quickly learned there is a lot of trial and error when it comes to pain management. What... By Ali Long3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Coping with Mental Health and Axial Spondyloarthritis: My StoryEverybody has experienced the toll a chronic illness can have on your mental health in one way or another. Being in constant pain, not being able to do the things... By Rene Agterhof3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Living With Ankylosing Spondylitis: My Journey & LearningsIn 2015, after 3 years of back pain and medical procedures, I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. What a shock this was, and at the same time a relief, to... By Lana Buettner2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments15 comments
What Makes Me Happy Makes Me StrongerOne sentence resonates into my head when I wonder what I can do to be happy and cope better with AxSpa. It comes from a physiotherapist I worked with during... By Julie Vallortigara3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
My Top Do’s and Don’ts For Flare DaysThis morning, I woke up with a familiar, burning ache in my bones. In those first few hazy moments of consciousness, before I could even think a thought, my attention... By Diana Castaldini3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments13 comments
Amplifying Black Advocate Voices: How Bias Has Affected My Patient JourneyBeing diagnosed with an autoimmune condition like axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) can take years. Many people report their early symptoms were dismissed by doctors or they were misdiagnosed. This delays treatment... By Editorial Team 6 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
My Recent Experience Navigating the U.S. Healthcare SystemThere are so many issues with our healthcare system in the U.S. that I could write a book. In fact, I’m sure there are countless books written on the subject... By Jessica Gama4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
The Blame GameI was diagnosed with AS in 2016, but I was managing a vast spectrum of pain since 2011. My symptoms included intermittent bouts of iritis, sciatica, stiffness, stabbing pains, crippling... By Ali Cornish3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
How AS Has Changed MeAlthough I’ve only been diagnosed for a year, I feel like I am a shadow of my former self. I have changed both physically and emotionally. Before I was sick, I would... By Ali Long2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Spondylitis, Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis: What Is the Difference?The names of 3 health conditions that affect your spine sound very similar. However, spondylitis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis have some key differences. Here is a guide to each one. As... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
How We've Created At-Home RelaxationWho doesn't love an evening of relaxation with candles, massage, and total relaxation? Creating an at-home spa experience is a key part of my husband, Keegan's, pain management, and stress... By Auldyn Matthews3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
How Disability Theories Exclude People with Chronic PainDisability is a complex topic, so naturally, there are many ways to think about it. The disabled community has different ideologies — some people view their disabilities as blessings, while... By Cassia Pelton2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Broken SpineI like to find used paperbacks for my ever-churning library of reading material. I usually have at least one book and one magazine in the process of reading all the time. For... By Lawrence Rick Phillips3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments