Living at Age 67 with AS

By living67

1 min read

I was diagnosed in 1978. I have had 2 hip replacements and surgery on both hands.

I use a hot tub daily and it really helps. I'm also on pain medication.

I have good days and bad but I try to keep moving .

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MICHAEL 7500 Member
WILDFLOWERS 7 I DID WORK AS A STATIONARY ENGINEER AND PUBLIC WORKER FOR THE CITY.UTILITIES INSPECTION,AND PUBLIC CONTACT.WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED THERE WERE ONLY ONE NSAID, MOTRIN FOR TREATMENT.ALSO CANNABIS WAS EMERGING BIG TIME I FOUND IT HELPED WITH PAIN AND THE STRESS OF HAVING AS. I BELIEVE IT SUPPRESSED MY IMMUNE SYSTEM JUST ENOUGH TO KEEP MY AS MANAGEABLE FOR ME TO RETIRE AFTER 30 YEARS WITH THE CITY, I WALED, BIKED WORKED ON MY YARDS, SWIM ETC PUSHED THROUGH THE PAIN. AS FAR AS A CAREER CHOICE I HAD A WIFE AND TWO KIDS I DID THE BEST I COULD TO PROVIDE.
living67 Member
I have a hot tub I use regularly. Walk around yard with dog and grandkids,keep gardening. Somedays are not easy but I force myself.
MICHAEL 7500 Member
I AM 69 MY AS STATED WHEN I WAS 17 I WAS A THREE SPORT ATHLETE WOKE UP ONE MORNING FELT LIKE A DRILL WAS GOING INTO MY HIPS.TOOK 4 YEARS TO GET DIAGNOSIS.EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO REGAIN MY STRENGTH AND RESUME ACTIVITY BUT NOT WITHOUT PAIN NEVER ENDING CONSTANT ASS ACHING PAIN,STILL WALKING, BIKING SWIMMING,AND GETTING READY TO START A BIOLOGIC FOR FIRST TIME VERY SCARY! 
1. Diana Castaldini Contributor
 <inline-mention username="living67" user-id="2380922"/> I'm sorry you reacted badly to biologics. We are all so different in how we respond. Continuing to move every day is so key for us, and I try but I need to do a better job. How do you incorporate movement into your routine? I would love to hear, perhaps it will get me more motivated. I would like to at least get in a walk or stretching routine every day, but a lot of the time the day gets away from me. 
2. wildflowers7 Member
 <inline-mention username="MICHAEL 7500" user-id="3256264"/> Was it helpful in your career(assuming you were able to work) choice to get the diagnosis at a young age?
Katie Saville Contributor
Thanks for sharing a little bit of your journey with us <inline-mention username="living67" user-id="2380922"/> ! Did you find any relief after your surgeries? I am 31 and we recently discovered bone spurs in the joint at the base of my big toe that will inevitably require surgery. Makes me so nervous, but really wanting some relief from the pain! -Katie, Team Member
1. living67 Member
Auldyn Matthews Moderator & Contributor
Wow a hot tub sounds lovely! That’s a great idea. I just got my husband with AS an electric blanket and he loves it. Thanks for sharing your story here!
1. living67 Member
 My son gave use the hot tub I was not sold on buying one but after useing it I'm am completely sold on how it helps me threw really tough days.
Lawrence Rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
I agree with you that moving is the best. I subscribe to the old saying Motion is lotion. rick - moderator