Chest and rib fusing?...I notice soreness in my ribcage and some restriction in expansion when I breathe deep. Is it a symptom of AS or am I just getting old? Any serious concerns?...Reactions0reactionsComments2 replies
AS Pregnancy, the Never-Ending Flare, and Being a Medical Unicorn...Editor's note: Read part 1 of Erin's journey here. They say that the second trimester is supposed to be the easiest and most enjoyable part of pregnancy. For me, the...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Having AS and Fibromyalgia in a Relationship...Recently, I have been thinking about my relationship with my partner. Specifically, I'm thinking about how having AS and fibromyalgia has affected our relationships. My partner is always kind and...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Finding a Hobby That Works With Your Limitations...It’s heartbreaking watching your body slowly deteriorate and transform into something you don’t even recognize anymore. Many of us used to be healthy and active-—I know I was. I could...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Living, Working, Experiencing Disability...When you are someone who experiences disability, there are many barriers that you face in your everyday life. There is a lot of people living with disability who want to...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
5 Ways We Can Reduce the Impact of our AS Symptoms...So, you’ve been diagnosed with AS. You’ve had all the x-rays, the MRIs, and the bloodwork. You’ve endured poking, prodding, and you’ve bent down to touch your toes oh so...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Sharing Some AxSpa Beneficial Recipes...I try my best to eat as healthy as I can to try and keep my AS in check. This usually means avoiding gluten and dairy (and in my case...Reactions0reactionsComments7 repliesDiet & NutritionTips & Advice
What aids do you use for AS?...What equipment helps you around your mobility. Tell us what is easiest and what is not....Reactions0reactionsComments4 replies
Work accommodations - your experience?...When asked do you require accommodations at the end of a job vacancy or questionnaire or online test; what has your experience been?...Reactions0reactionsComments4 repliesWork Accommodations
Paralympians With AS?...As the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games draws to a close today, I have had a couple of thoughts. Firstly, could somebody with Ankylosing Spondylitis enter the Paralympics as an athlete?...Reactions0reactionsComments4 repliesExercise
What is a flare to you?...I hear people indicate flares but what does that actually mean? Sometimes in the last year, I have had incidents where my back was so bad that I was in...Reactions0reactionsComments15 repliesFlares Diagnosis
My Stretch Routine...I like to think of ankylosing spondylitis as a very intense personal trainer that uses the threat of my spine fusing together to motivate me to exercise. Aside from all the physical and...Reactions0reactionsComments22 comments
Quitting Smoking...I know it is not exactly breaking news that smoking cigarettes is bad for your health. However, you may not know that there are added health hazards that it brings...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Getting Ready for My Hip Surgery...Soon I will undergo right hip surgery. After a more than a year of hip pain, trying every conservative measure possible (physio, osteopath, exercises, injections), it is time for surgery...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Dry Eyes With Biologics...Soon after getting my diagnosis with AxSpa (after years of waiting for a diagnosis, though), and starting my first biologic treatment (Embrel), I found my eyes very dry. It was...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Polyvagal Theory and Chronic Illness...Dr. Stephen Porges developed his polyvagal theory in 1994. You may already know that the vagus nerve is involved in how we respond to stress. The vagus nerve is the...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Dismissive doctors...Has anyone else tried to explain the severity of symptoms like severe fatigue and pain to their doctor, and were having trouble being able to work, and were met with...Reactions0reactionsComments16 repliesSymptomsFatigue Work & Employment
How AS and AxSpa Are Different For Women...In the past, doctors thought that ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) were more common in men than women. Now, there is a growing understanding that women and men...Reactions0reactionsComments20 comments
My Comfort Levels With COVID...COVID is coming up on its 2 year anniversary. Can you believe it? I can’t. The past 2 years have been so long but flew by at the same time...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Chronic Monster in Disguise...Who knew I would wake up one day not feeling the same ever again. Who knew, something I call the chronic monster, would take over my life, my body, my...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
