Hi everyone,
I found your wonderful forum today. It’s wonderful to read how supportive and helpful you are to each other.
My little brother has recently been diagnosed with AS. He’s 24 and has had a tough time in recent years with illness. About 5 years ago now he was in hospital for months will ulcerative colitis, and has been in and out occasionally since then. Apparently bowel issues and AS are linked, although that’s just something I’ve heard through my Mum who heard it at the hospital.
He’s fairly active and enjoys going for a walk everyday and playing football. But AS is giving him severe pain to the point where he feels like he can’t exercise some days. It gets him depressed, he’s told me as much and I can also see it in his eyes, which is the most upsetting thing.
He’s only recently been in the hospital again for more problems with his bowel that were being caused by painkillers he had been given to help with the pain from his AS (Naproxen). He’s back home again now but he’s in so much pain. It is breaking my heart to see him this way.
So I’n writing to you all in the hope that you can impart some advice or knowledge to help me, my Mum, and above all my brother navigate this condition.
What helps you? What makes things worse? Do you notice any patterns in your life that cause you flare ups? What things do you do to cope when you’re in pain? What kind of painkillers do you use? How can family members best help someone with AS?
There are probably a million more questions. But any help would be deeply appreciated.