Removing the Scary Stigma of BiologicsI went into my first rheumatology appointment of the year last week with one thought on my mind: I think I might need to go on biologics again. I'll be...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
What Advocating for Yourself Can Look LikeAt the beginning of December, I had adjusted my biologic in the hope to have some relief for the increasing AxSpA symptoms I was experiencing after a brief period of...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Reflecting on my First Year with a nr-AxSpA DiagnosisJanuary 2021 marks one year since my diagnosis of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, or my first AxSpAversary if you will. I can confidently say between a pandemic and a newly diagnosed...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
I Bought a Pair of Walking PolesHa, I did it. I purchased a pair of walking poles. Specifically, these walking poles. I am delighted to have them. So this is what happened. A buddy of mine and a fellow...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
I Thank AxSpa for My New Career PathWhen I got diagnosed with AxSpa, I was transitioning in my career. I did not know at the time how much this move was needed and timely. I remember at...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Things My Chronic Illness Has Given MeI try not to sugarcoat the reality of having a chronic illness like ankylosing spondylitis (AS), because it truly sucks. But whether it’s the optimist in me or a coping...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
How to Handle Moving Day With ASDaily life with ankylosing spondylitis is complicated. There's the pain, fatigue, brain fog, and flares. But when it's time to move houses, life with AS gets even more complicated. In...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Why I Started #InjectWithMe Videos on InstagramThe phone rang. It was my rheumatologist. She had denied anything was even wrong with me to begin with, so I was taken aback when she diagnosed me with ankylosing...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Laziness Does Not ExistEditor's note: Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Devon Price, a social psychologist who authored the book, Laziness Does Not Exist, which examines a concept that Price calls...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
My Decision to Stick With a Biologic, and How It’s HelpedThe decision to start any medication is one that I do not take lightly. I do my due diligence, ask lots of questions at the doctor’s office, thoroughly read the...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
My 6 Month Update on HumiraI’ve now been on Humira for a whole 6 months. Pandemic time really flies by, doesn’t it? It’s hard to believe I’ve already hit this milestone with Humira, but I’m...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
New Chapter, Same DiseaseI am almost 22 years old and entering a new stage in my life. It’s a period of big changes and big decisions. My peers are starting their careers; some...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Everyday Tasks Made Difficult By Ankylosing SpondylitisA few days ago, I was asked how I knew my backache was something more than just that. Other than my rapid decline in mobility, I told them I began...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
A Letter To Everyone With ASIt's okay if you can't clean the house. It's okay if you can't go to dinner with your friends. It's okay if you're not who you used to be. If...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Kindest Thing A Fellow AS Patient Told MeIn the midst of a horrible flare-up, I turned to the Facebook communities for AS patients that I'm a part of. Most of the time, I'm just looking to share...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Relying on Dr. Google for Too LongHindsight is 20/20. And that's definitely the case for me and my husband, Keegan. He was diagnosed 7 years ago with ankylosing spondylitis after 7 years of undiagnosed pain and...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
5 Signs A Flare Is ComingWhen a flare-up is about to happen, there are a few tell-tale signs I always experience. I’ve had axial spondyloarthritis for about 10 years, although it’s been really active for...Reactions0reactionsComments16 comments
7 Mindset Shifts To Get Through A Flare-UpI've been in the worst flare-up for the past week or so. My pain levels are steadily sitting between seven and 10, and it's not showing many signs of letting...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Combating A Negative Mindset With Wellness PlanningI’ve been struggling lately. Things haven’t been going my way for quite some time now, and it’s really begun to take a toll on me emotionally. I’d say the beginning...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Ways I Didn't Expect AS to Affect Our LivesLooking back on my life, it's always strange to think about what it was like in college. Keegan, my husband with AS, was just beginning to show symptoms. We studied...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments