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...reactions15comments
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...reactionscomments
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...reactions13comments
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...reactionscomments
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...reactionscomments
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...reactions2comments
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...reactions1comment
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...reactions1comment
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...reactions1comment
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...reactions3comments
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...reactions3comments
Nature's Green Gifts To The Chronically IllInspired by an article about the healing power of nature over at PsoriaticArthritis.net by Diane T., I wanted to share a bit about how I work with nature to move...reactions2comments
Am I Too Much for My Friends?Over the past 4 years of having AS, I’ve run into this problem over and over. I wonder if I’m too much for my friends. If my illness and daily...reactions5comments
Eyes on the Prize: Setting GoalsI was diagnosed with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in May 2019 after many years of chronic pain. I’m the type of person who loves to make “to do” lists, so a...reactions2comments
A Journey to AcceptanceIn the early nineties, doctors diagnosed me with ankylosing spondylitis. With me being in my teens I couldn't really comprehend what kind of journey would lay ahead of me. The...reactions12comments
AxSpa and Medical GaslightingI had been struggling for a few years when I finally had enough of not having some sort of solution or treatment for, what I now know is AxSpA. I...reactions1comment
The Rollercoaster of Living with Chronic PainBeing in pain 24 hours of the day, 7 days of the week is exhausting. Losing sleep because of it, waking up early because of it, not being able to...reactionscomments
What My Days Look Like Living with AS: Part 1It’s 6:50 AM. The alarm is going off, but I don’t want to move. I didn’t sleep but probably 4-5 hours. I tossed and turned the entire night, trying (and...reactions5comments
How Technology Brings Both Convenience and Confusion: Results of the Connected Health SurveySometimes, it feels like we are surrounded by technology. Apps, devices, trackers, and gadgets are everywhere! In this digital age, though, everyone has a different level of comfort using technology...reactionscomments
Service Animals and Emotional Support AnimalsIf you have axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), you might have considered a service animal to support you. Service animals are often associated with those needing a seeing-eye dog or mobility assistance...reactions4comments