Finding Balance in Pushing Yourself and Resting with WorkOver the last 6 months, I have been diligent in getting myself back into a consistent work schedule. I work from home, so it can be a challenge to stick...reactions2comments
I’ve Been Doing BetterI realized I haven’t written an article in months. There are multiple reasons for that. I haven’t really had any new ideas for writing, nor have I felt motivated to...reactions1comment
Flares Still Happen, and I Accept Them as MessengersI 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...reactions4comments
How I Manage Wildfire Season With "Pre-Existing Health Conditions"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...reactions1comment
The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Specialty PharmaciesFor 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...reactions1comment
A Stop on the Long RoadI 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...reactions5comments
Sleepless Nights Continue ContinuouslySleepless 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...reactions3comments
The Four Minute Mile: Setting AxSpa GoalsThe 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...reactions2comments
3 Ways Ankylosing Spondylitis Has My Life MUCH BetterWhen 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...reactions2comments
6 Arthritis Self-Care TouchstonesMany 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...reactions1comment
Navigating Autoimmune Healing Without Succumbing to Dietary FadsIn 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...reactions2comments
Health Anxiety and My Axial SpondyloarthritisOver 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...reactions1comment
Bad Air Quality, Wildfires, and Flare-UpsLiving 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...reactions2comments
Making Camping Trips Doable With ASOne 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...reactions2comments
Finally Meeting Some Super SpooniesWhen 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...reactionscomments
I Got Disability Support!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...reactions8comments
2 Tips for Flying With Ankylosing SpondylitisFlying 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...reactions5comments
Getting Complacent With Self CareHaving 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...reactions4comments
The Stress FlareI’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...reactions5comments
Managing Seasonal Joint Pain for a More Fulfilling LifeThere 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...reactions5comments