In Remission, Out of the Community?This community – the one you’re visiting right now via this website – has done so much for me. It’s where I learned what ankylosing spondylitis was in the first... By Cassia Pelton2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Preparing for Imaging Appointments With Ankylosing SpondylitisPart of life with ankylosing spondylitis includes scans to check for bone change and progression. My disease activity over recent years has been low so my rheumatologist is happy to... By Anne-Marie Raymond3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Preparing For My First Trip Post Diagnosis and PandemicEditor's note: Read how James' trip went in his follow up article, "Going on My First Trip Post Diagnosis and Pandemic." Prior to my diagnosis, I was most definitely a frequent... By James Hollens5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
My 5 Necessary ConveniencesI can’t be the only one battling the unfortunate notion that there’s something lazy, inferior, or otherwise wrong about seeking the easiest ways to do things for myself. Years of... By Dawn Gibson2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Baby Steps Are a Big Deal For a BabyI have a hate-love relationship for the term “baby steps.” Maybe this is because of my perspective as a parent (and the hard work it takes to teaching the basics... By Auldyn Matthews-McGee3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Discussing and Disclosing AS At WorkYou’re sitting at your desk with a heat pad plugged in, on high, and strapped to your lower back. A co-worker walks by, notices your setup, and stops to ask... By Erin King3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Allowing New Medications Adjust to Your BodyI’ve recently started a few different medications. My doctors and I are still trying to figure out what works best for all my conditions: depression, anxiety, AS, fibromyalgia, and colitis... By Steff Di Pardo2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Losing Friends and Finding Community: Living With ASIt’s no secret that getting diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be a life-changing experience. It is an inflammatory disease that can cause pain, stiffness, and immobility in the spine... By Tomesha Campbell2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Thinking About SnowOh, I so dislike Winter. I mean, I really do. I hate it. I like warmth. My joints and mood are much better in Spring and Summer. So much better... By Rick Phillips3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
She's Battling Things Her Smile Will Never ShareWhen I was a little girl, I couldn't wait to grow up. I wanted it to happen so fast. I looked up to the older ones and wished for it... By Nicky-Flikas3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments8 comments
Going To A Disability Job FairSince being diagnosed with AS, I have had real difficulties when it comes to finding employment. Prior to my diagnosis, I was working in education, but sacked on account of... By James Hollens5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments8 comments
Ankylosing Spondylitis and a Proposed Rule in FloridaI am furious, outraged, and all the other negative, angry words one can think of regarding a recent decision of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). The sports medicine... By Rick Phillips5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Related Fatigue Impact Your Daily Life?Does AS-related fatigue impact your daily life? If so, you're NOT the only one. Answer the questions below, check out the recording of our discussion with Lisa and Tomesha, and... By Editorial Team1 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
4 Things That Make Me Happy2021 is a year that I’d love to forget. It just wouldn’t quit. The worst parts were losing a dear friend by suicide, while my family and I dealt with... By Dawn Gibson2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Going Natural: My Decision To Stop Taking BiologicsIt's been a long 5 years of trying different treatments that have unfortunately not been successful for me. The medications have caused issues for me. Of course with my luck... By Nadine Cruz3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments17 comments
A Cold FishA Cold Fish: Someone who lacks empathy and emotion I feel like I am taking a big risk coming out like this, but I feel I am taking one for... By Jed Finley3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Gene Testing My Children for ASLike the majority of people with ankylosing spondylitis, I tested positive for the gene HLA-B27. Following my diagnosis I often wondered about this genetic marker and the line it traced... By Anne-Marie Raymond2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Bursts of Denial: When AS Hits SuddenlyThe thing about ankylosing spondylitis, like many immune-mediated diseases, is that no matter how much we've figured out how to manage/control/collaborate with/understand it, it is still a disease with a... By Lisa Marie Basile2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments10 comments
3 Tips for Managing Anxiety If You Have ASIt's no secret that living with a chronic illness can be challenging—mentally and emotionally, as well as physically. I remember when I was first diagnosed, there was the mental stress... By Tomesha Campbell3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments12 comments
Switching Biologics (Again)I have once again switched my biologic medication! I’ve been on Inflectra, Humira, Cosentyx, and now, drumroll, please...Remicade! Remicade is chemically very similar to Inflectra, which is actually a biosimilar... By Steff Di Pardo2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments