My AS & Chronic Pain Journey: Still Struggling

I have had chronic side joint, lower back, knees, heel and hip pain for over 6 years now. I was finally diagnosed in December 2018 with AS after knee surgeries, back injections, several visits to the gynecologist, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapist, podiatrists. Overwhelming brain fog, fatigue, loss of energy, and chronic pain.

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I got tests

The orthopedic surgeon finally said, let's take some blood work and take it from there. The results were off the charts with inflammation, high sedimentation rate, etc. He referred me to a rheumatologist, MRI, more blood work, and my journey began.

I've tried many treatments

Since being diagnosed, I have had more physical therapy, pain management sessions, back injections, Manipulative therapy, injections in my heel, tried medicinal marijuana, holistic healing and have been on 2 different biologics - Still no resolve - tough concentrating as well.

The pandemic changed things

I am actually afraid of taking a biologic now given the current pandemic due to how the medication compromises your immune system.

What has helped

What has helped some has been stretching, changing my diet - eliminating inflammatory foods & sugar, gentle yoga, and rest when my body tells me to. I still have hope and pray every day that something will finally put this in remission and I can move on with my life.

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