Using Spoons Wisely: Intentional Socializing ...Early on in my journey of AS, I was trying to please everyone. Despite at the time struggling both physically and emotionally, I would suppress it and do everything I...reactions5comments
Surgery, Procedures, Multiple Treatments, Oh My!...I can honestly say after 4 years of dealing with my AS diagnosis, I have become a guinea pig! And not the fluffy cute kind. The kind that feels locked...reactions6comments
Great partners/Spouses...We have a really great pet thread going - how about wonderful spouses and partners? My fella and I have been together for 22 years (crap, I'm old! LOL!) after...reactions1replyIntimacy & RelationshipsCaregivingFriends & Family
I Was Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia...For those who may not know, Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, sleep issues, and many other symptoms. Fibromyalgia has been a question mark in my...reactions4comments
Early AS Signs I Wish I Picked Up On...I am often asked if there were early warning signs prior to my AS diagnosis. I used to believe that there weren’t any and it all happened suddenly. I’ve spoken...reactions29comments
Pop Quiz #1: Learning More About Ankylosing Spondylitis...Test your AS knowledge and take this short quiz! How many did you get correct? Share in the comments below!...reactions1comment
Monday Mornings Can Be the Hardest for Me...Monday morning, time to get up for work. My alarm clock keeps ringing and I keep putting it on snooze. There are 5 minutes until I start for work. Thankfully...reactions8comments
Don't Let a Smile Fool You...Behind that smile of mine hides many things, that I decide who to open up to and tell. Would you be able to tell that I have an invisible illness? Would...reactions12comments
Going Out for a Day and the Result...About a month ago now, I went downtown for a day trip with one of my close friends. I knew immediately when we got the idea that this would be...reactions2comments
The Long-Term Effects of Uveitis...I was freshly out of college and going into grad school when uveitis struck — and it struck hard. I was otherwise perfectly healthy, a privilege that is glaringly obvious...reactions2comments
Help getting a diagnosis...The more I read about this disease the more I’m convinced that I have it. How do I go about talking to my doctor about it without sounding like I’m...reactions4repliesDiagnosis
How It's Been Going With AxSpa...Getting diagnosed started off as such a bumpy ride. Every day looked hopeless. Every day looked like things would not get better. Every day I would be in bed. Most...reactions8comments
The Arthritis Advocacy Iceberg...The dictionary identifies an advocate as a person who publicly recommends or promotes a policy or cause. Ideally, it's a good or relatively neutral cause rather than a bad one...reactions3comments
From Self-Help Guru to Disability Advocate...A few years back I created a mental health and wellness website to both share my journey through self-discovery and in hopes to help inspire others to prioritize their overall...reactions4comments
A Painful Return To Pills...I'm ever so grateful for my medications and they have completely turned my life around. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2015 and ankylosing spondylitis in 2019. During these...reactions17comments
Anyone got some hot travel tips? ...I'm planning a couple of short trips- one to NYC in July and one to Italy in September :D Very excited to have a break but a little nervous about...reactions2repliesTips & AdviceTravel
The 2024 Social Health Awards Program...Editorial Note: Nominations for 2024 are now closed. We are very excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Social Health Awards program! The Social Health Awards is an awards...reactionscomments
The 2024 Social Health Awards Program...We are very excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Social Health Awards program! The Social Health Awards is an awards program recognizing Health Leaders who make a difference...reactions1comment
When Chronic Illness and Stress Collide...When stress presents itself in my life it tends to turn my life inside out and entirely consume my mind. Everything else of importance is thrown out the window and...reactions8comments
I'm Not Returning to College Campus...This semester college has returned full-time to campus, but I am unable to return to campus due to my AS and being immunocompromised during the COVID-19 pandemic. I thought: well...reactions3comments