The Art of At-Home MassageLight up some candles. Get the aromatherapy going. Put on some soothing music. It's time for an at-home massage. At least, that's what it's like when I set up an... By Auldyn Matthews2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
The Upside of Getting a DiagnosisThe night I found out I had AS is permanently imprinted on my mind. I was working late supervising a new team member and saw the doctor’s number come up... By Anne-Marie Raymond3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
There’s No "One Size Fits All" With Axial SpondyloarthritisIf you and I were to sit down and compare notes about our health we would probably have much in common. I’m guessing we both have either a confirmed or... By Anne-Marie Raymond2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
What's In My AxSpa Toolbox?Ever since I learned of my axial spondyloarthritis diagnosis, I began to gather tools to add to my coping toolbox! AxSpa can really take a toll on our mental and... By Jes Hojsan2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Dynamic Disability Means I Get To Define My ExperienceFor so long, using the term "disabled" to describe myself felt so it’s off-limits to me. It still does. Unless my AS severely worsens, it always will. So I don't... By Lisa Marie Basile3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
My Chronic World ContinuesThey said to think more positive. They said tomorrow will be a better day. They said try another treatment plan it might help, but we have to wait and see... By Nicky Flikas2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
I Got Scoped. Twice! My 2021 included a personal medical safari through hematology to treat a life-threatening anemia, gastroenterology to find the source, and close monitoring with my GP to manage it all. The... By Dawn Gibson2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
A Letter For Every Time I Feel Like Giving UpDear me, AxSpa warrior: I know you were so excited, that you were having some good days and on a roll. I know you started making plans for the following... By Nicky Flikas3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Do I Need a Colonoscopy?I had my first colonoscopy in 2021 due to a life-threatening anemia, unexplained fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Most cultures have some taboos around this area, making it an... By Dawn Gibson2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
My Balance Between Self-Discipline and Self-DeprecationThere is a very fine line between having good self-discipline and striving to live a perfect life. Towing that line has had a profound impact on my mental health and... By Jamie Shinkewski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
No More Adventures with My DogsMeet Maggie and Charlie. Maggie is a 5-year-old Basset Hound and Charlie is a 4-year-old mix between a German Shepard and a Huskey. They are great loyal dogs with lots of character. They... By Ali Long2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
The 2 Types of Grief and How They Affect ASGrief. We all know what grief is, but did you know you can experience grief when you have a chronic illness? I didn’t at first, but when I realized how... By Steff Di Pardo3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Non-Radiographic AxSpa and Spinal InjuriesOne of the hardest things to deal with when living with axial spondyloarthritis is determining the source of pain and whether to push through it or ask your doctor. This... By Pamela White3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
I Hope That College Remains OnlineI have passed all my exams and I am finally in the final year of my degree! I’m excited and nervous to get through this year of college. I have a... By Ali Long3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
The Importance of Having a Medical “Dream Team”My biggest regret over the last 16 years of being chronically ill is this: I wish I had assembled a team of medical experts early into my diagnosis. If there... By Sarah Lee2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Autumn and the Seasonal Shift of SymptomsFall is by far my favorite time of year, especially when living in a place with prime foliage. The few weeks at the end of September and beginning of October... By Jessica Gama3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Advocates Sharing With Advocates: René and James Chat About a "New Normal"In my last article I interviewed Health Union advocate James Hollens. This is the continuation of that interview. Because we all have a different journey with our disease I think... By Rene Agterhof2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Who I Was Before AxSpa Is Very Different Than Who I Am NowBefore getting diagnosed, I was always an "on-the-go" kind of person. I used to love to go out. I hated being home, all day long. When I mean I loved... By Nicky Flikas4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
When You Feel No PainThere are a few times when I feel almost no pain. First, when I’m very sick, like with an infection of some sort, I tend to experience a pause in... By Lisa Marie Basile2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Time Spent Managing My Health: An Investment That Comes With a PriceI recall filling a survey on this website and answering a question about the amount of time I spend managing my condition. That made me realize how much time I... By Julie Vallortigara3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments