Ankylosing Spondylitis

I wanted to start a blog to document my journey as a sufferer of Ankylosing Spondylitis.  For those who don't know, Ankylosing spondylitis (or AS) is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved.  It causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain & discomfort.  In the most advanced cases (but not all cases), this inflammation can lead to new bone formation on the spine, causing the spine to fuse in a fixed, immobile position, sometimes causing a forward-stooped posture.

AS can also cause inflammation, pain & stiffness in other areas of the body such as shoulders, hips, ribs, heels & small joints of the hands and feet.  Sometimes the eyes can become involved (known as Iritis or Uveitis) & rarely, the lungs and heart can be affected.

The hallmark feature of ankylosing spondylitis is the involvement of the sacroiliac joints during the progression of the disease, which are the joints at the base of the spine, where the spine joins the pelvis.  (Source: http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as.aspx)

I experienced my very first flare up when I was 22 years old.  I had just completed my university studies in Perth, Western Australia and was working as a waitress.  My Saturdays then had a nice routine to it, I would go for Ashtanga yoga at Leederville with a couple of friends, after which we would proceed for brunch.  It was one of those Saturday mornings that I got out of bed, and immediately fell onto the floor.  My right hip was in excruciating pain and I could not support my own body weight.  It was another few moments before I regained my strength and could walk again.  Within the same day, the pain came and vanished, and I did not encounter another episode for a few years.

I suffered my second attack when I was 25.  I was struck down with massive inflammation in my sacroiliac joints.  By this time, I was working a full time job in a bank and had to take a whole week off from work as the pain I was experiencing rendered me immobile.  This was when I went to see the rheumatologist and got diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis.  Statistically, this disease happens to male patients between the age of 20-40.  I wondered what were the odds of me, a 25 year old healthy female, getting this condition?  I could not accept this diagnosis.

However, I had a painful bout with what I thought was sore eyes last year.  My left eye was red, swollen, teary and photophobic.  My vision was completely unclear.  I went to the GPs and the eyedrops they prescribed only made my eyes worse.  A visit to the eye specialist and I diagnosed with iridocyclitis, which is an inflammation of the iris and a condition that could occur in conjunction with AS. 

In June this year, I had a second flare up of the iris and I am currently suffering from the worst flare up I have ever encountered.  I am now dealing with the daily pain in my sacroiliac joints, lower back, upper back and neck.  It hurts me to stand up after long periods of sitting still, and I suffer the most pain in the mornings when I wake up.  I am now unable to turn my neck full rotation and unable to see behind or above me.  I experience a tightness in my chest and breathing difficulties as my ribs are not expanding as much as it used it.

But regardless of this, I am keeping my faith.  "I will lift up my eyes to the hill - from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord who made heaven & earth.  He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.  The Lord is your keeper."  Psalm 121:1-5 (NKJV)

I have also committed to taking active steps in helping myself, staying active through yoga and swimming.  In addition, I will change my diet to remove inflammatory foods and include ingredients that help to battle inflammation.

This blog will document the struggles I have with this disease, changes I make to my lifestyle and I hope that it will help fellow AS sufferers out there.