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I was anxious as I walked into my first ankylosing spondylitis meetup, sponsored by the Spondylitis Association of America. I had no idea what type of people would be there or the severity of their disease. I worried that I’d be too young or too old, or too mobile,…

When I search for “autoimmune disease” or “immune-mediated disease” on YouTube, I get a lot of results, but very few of them are about ankylosing spondylitis (AS). It’s disappointing that so few videos are made by people with AS. I’m looking for someone to connect with, who understands, and…

Around the time of my “official” AS diagnosis (I stress “officially,” because most of us have this disease for years before diagnosis), I joined AQUASTUDIO in New York City. It’s an intimate, friendly, and low-impact studio dedicated to holistic wellness and water workouts. The majority of classes are on bikes…

Second in a series. Read part one. And then the symptoms hit. By 30, I had limited mobility in my back and hips, extremely stiff joints, horrible fatigue, serious morning immobility, chronic stomach distress, and costochondritis (inflammatory joint pain in the chest). I finally went to the two best…

When I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), one of the first things I did was join numerous AS groups on Facebook. We’re talking groups for women with AS, groups for AS-related diets, groups for fitness with AS, and groups for local AS meetups. Then there was the group…

First in a series. When I first started having symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), I was in my mid-20s which is right in the middle of the age range of when most people receive a diagnosis. How fun! I was doing things that most people that age do.

Following my ankylosing spondylitis (AS) diagnosis, I thought the world had ended. I felt awful. I knew I was doomed to get sicker, and I believed I’d have limited control over my situation. Frankly, my perspective couldn’t have been worse. That said, it’s entirely natural to mourn, grieve,…

After my diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), I realized didn’t know anyone else with the disease. I was feeling exceptionally lost and alone. I turned to YouTube for community and education, and it was super helpful. First, I could watch people with AS perform stretches and yoga moves! It’s one thing to…

If you’re anything like me, your ankylosing spondylitis (AS) diagnosis may not have been the easiest thing in the world to reconcile. Being diagnosed with a lifelong, degenerative, chronic illness can be a wake-up call unlike any other. Feelings of depression, powerlessness, confusion, and denial can surge through you,…

Life with ankylosing spondylitis is full of ups and downs influenced by good days and bad days, endless fatigue, doctor’s appointments, and the general trickiness of managing a chronic illness with life’s other demands. The unpredictable nature of fatigue accounts for missed days at work and canceled social gatherings. There’s…