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
5 Things I Learned From Leading an AS Support Group...In 2007 I opened my Facebook-based support group up for business, and it has provided me a lot of knowledge and understanding about our community as a whole. Here are...reactions6comments
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
Do different seasons bring on different symptoms?...For me, winter causes more lumbar, SI joints, and peripheral joint pain, whereas summer causes more fatigue, brain fog, and muscle pain. I also have fibromyalgia and feel like that...reactions38repliesSymptomsWeather
Getting My Driver's License With Ankylosing Spondylitis...I got my license this month! After 7 years of constantly failing tests, I finally did it. Driving is not for everyone, some struggle with it more than others. I...reactions4comments
Understanding is Love: My New Mantra...“Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand you can’t love.” -Thich Nhat Hanh If you met me and told me about a problem you are having in your...reactions4comments
Pain shaming...Has anyone gone to doctors or physical therapists and they basically shame you for your pain? I had a nasty flare and could barely walk. I was using a rollator...reactions4repliesTreatmentExercise
Trauma and Health Anxiety...During 2020 — when the pandemic began — I developed what I call extreme health anxiety. Living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) just made it all the worse. I lived (and...reactions2comments
Having a Rough Day...This is mentally killing me. Going on disability was hard enough, that alone makes me feel so useless. I thank god everyday for my amazing wife who understands me and...reactions1comment
How soon they forget I have AS...I'm a little frustrated..o.k., a LOT frustrated. Once I got answers after too many yrs of searching for an answer to 'why am I tired, why do I need another...reactions1replyCopingMisunderstood Friends & Family
5 Low-Key Arthritis Advocacy Moves...I grew up around a bunch of civic minded folks. The adults in my life took an active part in our community. Between helping people get to doctor's visits and...reactions4comments
How Working On My General Health Helped My Symptoms...There’s a certain hopeless finality in being told you have a disease with no cure. I didn’t for a moment question the highly trained specialist sitting before me when he...reactions5comments
Currently getting diagnosed...Hello, first post here.. I'm 32 w/ family history of AS and I've been putting off going to the rheumatologist for years. My Dad has severe AS ever since I...reactions1replyDiagnosisNewly Diagnosed Exercise
