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What is the strangest reply you've received when telling someone you have AS?

Many people have never heard of ankylosing spondylitis before and it's quite a mouthful. What is the strangest response you've received when telling someone you have AS?

  1. I was once asked 'Is it contagious?' as they slowly backed away from me. I guess long conditions that end in -itis often sound pretty scary and life threatening!

    1. How about your Vit C? Better yet how about 8 oz of vodka? It may not help your AS, but at least you won't care.

      1. My favorite -

        How are your ankles this morning ?

        Terrible I say.

        Do you need compression socks?

        Sure,

        But not for my ankles.

        For what then?

        Oh for my back. Puzzled, how can you get these on your back?

        Pull really hard of course.

        1. You should not make fun of people. Tell them the truth. You buy 8 pairs of compression socks, cut them on their length, then sew them together, and put Velcro on the 2 ends. Then you have your significant other gently stand on your stomach so you can pull it tight. There is no way you are going to be able to pull the socks on to get them to your lower back.
          Thanks for the chuckle Jim

      2. One of my clients: "What's that made up disease you have again?"

        1. Oh my goodness ! That is unbelievable! I don't know how I would even respond to that. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

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