How Disability Theories Exclude People with Chronic Pain...Disability is a complex topic, so naturally, there are many ways to think about it. The disabled community has different ideologies — some people view their disabilities as blessings, while...reactions3comments
Broken Spine...I like to find used paperbacks for my ever-churning library of reading material. I usually have at least one book and one magazine in the process of reading all the time. For...reactions3comments
Nature's Green Gifts To The Chronically Ill...Inspired by an article about the healing power of nature over at PsoriaticArthritis.net by Diane T., I wanted to share a bit about how I work with nature to move...reactions2comments
Am I Too Much for My Friends?...Over the past 4 years of having AS, I’ve run into this problem over and over. I wonder if I’m too much for my friends. If my illness and daily...reactions5comments
Dwayne's Disability Subject...I was medically terminated from my job at Oracle, last year in the month of July 18, 2019. I immediately applied for disability. My AxSpA was diagnosed August 18, 2018...reactions13comments
Eyes on the Prize: Setting Goals...I was diagnosed with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in May 2019 after many years of chronic pain. I’m the type of person who loves to make “to do” lists, so a...reactions2comments
A Journey to Acceptance...In the early nineties, doctors diagnosed me with ankylosing spondylitis. With me being in my teens I couldn't really comprehend what kind of journey would lay ahead of me. The...reactions12comments
AxSpa and Medical Gaslighting...I had been struggling for a few years when I finally had enough of not having some sort of solution or treatment for, what I now know is AxSpA. I...reactions1comment
The Rollercoaster of Living with Chronic Pain...Being in pain 24 hours of the day, 7 days of the week is exhausting. Losing sleep because of it, waking up early because of it, not being able to...reactionscomments
What My Days Look Like Living with AS: Part 1...It’s 6:50 AM. The alarm is going off, but I don’t want to move. I didn’t sleep but probably 4-5 hours. I tossed and turned the entire night, trying (and...reactions5comments
How Technology Brings Both Convenience and Confusion: Results of the Connected Health Survey...Sometimes, it feels like we are surrounded by technology. Apps, devices, trackers, and gadgets are everywhere! In this digital age, though, everyone has a different level of comfort using technology...reactionscomments
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals...If you have axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), you might have considered a service animal to support you. Service animals are often associated with those needing a seeing-eye dog or mobility assistance...reactions4comments
James Hollens...James Hollens is a 26 year old from Croydon, South London. Shortly after graduating from university in 2016, James was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and three years later was lucky...
A Little Bit About Me and My AS...Throughout my life I have always been tired, I thought this was "normal." I have suffered from mild back pain on and off for years, mostly in my tailbone. I...reactions4comments
Hi, I’m “Just The Immunocompromised”...As the COVID-19 pandemic drudges on, so does my frustration, as I watch people I once thought to be intelligent make brainless decisions that contribute to the spread. These poor...reactions3comments
If you used Humira, how long did it take to work for you — any side effects?...I started humira a few years ago and came off it a few months later after bouts of shingles and infections. I fear it didn't work because I came off...reactions2repliesTreatmentSide Effects
FeaturedI need total flexibility in order to have a social life...I am definitely battling fatigue much more often these days; even when I'm not in pain, fatigue can take me out as I've run into a wall. So friends have...reactions4repliesFriends & FamilySymptoms
Beyond Medication: Managing Axial Spondyloarthritis Holistically...When I first was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, I didn’t see or read a lot about stress management. In fact, all of that seemed strangely disregarded, as though our minds...reactions3comments
My Challenge to Adapt to the Unpredictable AxSpa...I used to live a full-on life, enjoying planning many things such as dinner with friends, holidays, weekends away, various activities, and gatherings in my house. I would get very...reactions4comments
Our Winding Journey to Finding Rheumatologists...Since I've started writing and moderating for AnkylosingSpondylitis.net, I read countless stories about how difficult it is for AS patients to find rheumatologists. This was definitely the case for my...reactions4comments