Understanding Over-the-Counter Pain Management...There are times when life with arthritis feels more like a trip to a shabby little haunted house than I'd like to admit. You know the kind I mean. They...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Curmudgeonly Journaling...Are you something of a curmudgeon? A chipper person hopes you'll say something like, "Dawn, how can you even ask that? I'm an eternal optimist shooting hearts from my eyes...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Spondyloarthritis: Will and Motivation Toward Wellness...The 2020 holidays really affected me negatively, worse than years prior. Family at the house (albeit only 5 of us), over-spending, cooking larger meals, and ingesting sugar, salt, and alcohol...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Watching a Loved One Go Through a Flare-Up...Before we knew they were called "flare-ups," I knew my husband, Keegan, was experiencing something like I'd never seen before. Except for maybe seeing a Youtube clip of a woman...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
I Tried Alternative Therapies Before Medication And I Regret It ...Unlike some of my peers with ankylosing spondylitis, my first scan showed undeniable evidence of the disease. Bilateral inflammation and erosion in my sacroiliac joints were found, and a positive...Reactions0reactionsComments25 comments
The struggles having a chronic illness...Hello my name is Nicky. I am 33 years old. I am a mommy to 3 kiddos that are my world and one of my reason for waking up every...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Tips for a Restful Night Sleep...Finding a restful night sleep with axial spondyloarthritis can be so hard. Between painsomnia, finding a comfortable position, and worrying about your next flare, drifting into dreamland can feel downright...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Spinal cord stimulator thread: Questions, experiences, and stories ...Hi everyone, This thread is a space dedicated to the discussion of spinal cord stimulators. Post your questions, concerns, or personal experiences in this thread for others to see and...Reactions0reactionsComments4 repliesAssistive DevicesSymptomsTips & Advice
What Can Axial Spondyloarthritis Give Back to You?...Axial spondyloarthritis has taken a lot from all of us who have it. The life we thought we were going to have, the hobbies or passions we have had to...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Hey, Rheumatologists: Do Better...I’m in a somewhat unique position as an ankylosing spondylitis patient. Not only am I a patient, but I’m also a chronic illness advocate and a medical writer. These realities...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Grieving The Self Of Yesterday...One of the hardest things about living with a chronic illness, particularly a degenerative one, is that you are always grieving for your older selves. As the years go by...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Drug Denial: I Think I Need Meds Again...It's funny how chronic illness works. It really forces you into the present moment, in a weird way. When you're good and pain-free (or at least having minimal pain) you...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
A Letter to my AS...Dear Steff’s AS, Hi, it’s me, Steff. I want to write you a letter to air out both my grievances and my thank you’s. Sometimes I think you were sent...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Due to AS Symptoms, I Chose to Quit My Job...I was diagnosed with AS while I was an English teacher. From 2009-2017, I had the great privilege of teaching high school students how to express themselves, how to appreciate...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
How does everyone manage AxSpA pain?...I’m a newbie to the AxSpA family. As much as I wouldn’t wish this on others, I embrace being in this family. My discussion topic is pain. Really, the question...Reactions0reactionsComments7 repliesCoping
Fight Fatigue and Get Your Energy Back...A chronic condition like AxSpA comes with many different challenges and symptoms. Fatigue is one of the most common ones across people’s journeys. It can have a big impact on...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Stress, Trauma, and Autoimmune Conditions: What Research Reveals...Painful life experiences can take a toll on your physical and mental health. We know that stress and trauma raise your risk of illnesses like drug and alcohol misuse, mental...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Alternative Options for Managing Chronic Pain...While doctors may prescribe pain medications for AxSpA, like NSAIDS, not everyone wants to take these prescriptions long-term, and some people don’t like the side effects of pain medications. Fortunately...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Small Daily Healthy Habits: Lifestyle Matters...We all are on a different path and stage on our journeys with AS. Some of us with more symptoms or a faster progression, some needing to take anti-inflammatory and/or...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
No One Gets It......So right now I am definitely (hopefully) in the peak of my condition. My AS has been super intense with flares and inflammation after the birth of my second son...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments