The 13 years I've been married to my husband, he's had this disease. He just found out a month ago. The great thing is, he's started on Embrel and he's a new man. He can turn his neck, he's sitting up straighter, has no pain, He moves without the stiffness he used to have, and even his bm's are normal now(he's always had diarrhea). When he told the dr. that he's having normal bms for the first time in years she tested him for chrohn's disease (which is a symptom of this disease), which came out positive. She did say she was going to change this med. for another one similar to Enbrel but is easier on the digestive track. There is hope! I'm so excited that my husband can move again without pain!

First symptoms when I was 22. self-treated symptoms w/ ibuprofen. Diagnosis at 33. Lucky to have the best rheumatologist in the state. Started with Rx NSAIDS but had stomach problems, plus they lose effectiveness after a while. Now on Remicade. Have had arthroscopy on two shoulders and one hip. Been down many times but I keep getting up! At 49 I still work as a forester on rough ground. I still camp. KEEP MOVING, KEEP STRETCHING, don't let anyone tell you no.

I am 33 year old female who wasn't diagnosed until I was 22 years old. Symptoms started when I was 16. In the beginning doctors tried steroid injections and pain pills. Today they use steroids when I have a really bad flare up, naproxen twice a day, pain pills 6 times a day, Humira once every other week, muscle relaxers, and I try to go to physical therapy but most days are too painful. I also have the eye inflammation and fusion has already started in my back and ribs. I'm a single mom and most days I'm so tired I can't do anything, but what I have to for my children. My neck hurts so bad that I can barely turn to look at anything. X-rays don't show any damage there yet but I'm waiting because I know it's happening. I lost my insurance and my doctor helped me be able to stay on humira by writing the maker. Hope this helps someone else who's struggling to make ends meet and just trying to feel better with whatever they can. :)

I am a 28 year old nurse, diagnosed about 2 years ago with AS. I have had pain since I was 17 slowly increasing to the point I could not walk. Once diagnosed, I was prescribed naproxen that did not work for long, then celebrex for about 6 months twice a day. I am now on the mobicox and seems to work well, exercising regularly and a lot of stretching seems to help. For those who don't want to take a lot of medications, research foods that decrease inflammation or increase. Tumeric is great for joint pain and also sweet potatoes or yams have one of the highest anti-inflammatory scales. Try incorporating them a few times a week. I have found adjusting my diet, quitting smoking, biking or swimming can really help with physiotherapy; chiropractic (no adjustments, just pressure release) and massage have all be blessings. I have more good days now then bad, and able to manage much better. Keep moving!

I was diagnosed with a/s when I was 23 years old. I was treated with pills which did little good and then put on aspirin for a long time. This helped a bit and I stayed fairly active. When I finally had to quit work (mechanic) in 1991 I could no longer the pain of walking or standing for very long. I was sent to a number of Doctors with not many results and ended up in a wheel chair for some time. I was sent in 2008 to see a great Rheumatology doctor who put me on a program of self administered needles of Humira. I have done very well since then. My life style is back to where I can enjoy it much better. I have the usual side effects of a/s but learn to live with them. I wish I could have met this Doctor 50 years ago. Life would have been much less painful.

I am 50 year old female with symptoms that started around 17 years. I was diagnosed just five years ago-my rheumatologist suggested that I 'must have suffered' as my pelvis is fused. Pilates, swimming and sunshine help! I take Ibuprofen when the pain is unbearable, but recently my hips are causing me extreme pain; it wakes me up and my bed feels like a torture chamber. I am also experiencing menopausal symptoms and am suffering from night sweats, which also disturb my sleep. Fatigue is part of AS and I'm exhausted. I thought my teens and twenties were painful, but now I'm faced with a nightmare. Thought has improved with age!