Hi Julie
Shock , horror , disbelief , another Kiwi on kick as .
Reading your posting we are a similar age too .
I've tryed to encourage others with A.S. to use this site , but with no joy .
There is a A.S group ( part of A.N.Z ) in Auckland and they have a get together once a year . There are women in this group who have A.S as well .
I see you are from Dunedin , I from the Waikato but shifted to Tauranga six months ago .
Must be bloody cold down there ! , Hamilton is bad enough that's why I moved .
Yes A.S. does run in families my younger brother was diagnoised just over a year ago .
I suspect one of my parents may have a mild case .
My Dx was about 7 years ago by a Chiropractor , and later confirmed at Waikato Hospital . Previous to this G.P's probably thought I was a hypocondriac , I started having back pain since about 10 and A.S really kicked in about 13yrs old.
Yes the Medical systems sucks . One rhemy I went to could smacked around the head with a 4 x 2 plank , man was he obnoxios .
I'm on naprosyn , have tryed the free samples of vioxx and celebrix and the didn't work for me . Yes those two are expensive drugs .
I prefer more natural therapys , because the side affects of some of this drugs are worse than the original condition .
There is one other kiwi (Shane )or should say Piwi , he's from England and has only recently moved to N.Z .and he prefers to be called a Pom so if you combined the two names you get Piwi .
The are some postings about 1-2 yrs ago from another Kiwi " Scroat " but he hasn't replyed to my messages .
Regards
Stephen
( Calixto )
Everyday above ground is a great day ! .
If you don't believe me try missing one .
