Thanks for the replies all. My AS kicked in at 14 with hip pain as well. I broke my foot and shoulder playing football. About 2 months later I had a bad case of poison ivy. The doctors said this may have triggered the onset of AS. I swelled up badly and then I went to the childrens hosp. in lexington, kentucky until I was of age. When I was 16 I started working fast food and worked that until 20. What was bad was insurance was never an option so I killed my stomach with otc ibupropen. At 20 I started in electronics manufacturing industry (very light work) and picked up insurance. Got back on NSAIDS for years to ease the pain until my creatin levels went through the roof. At 28 I started Remicade and it has stop the need for NSAIDS, now at 30.

The part that confuses me is

My blood pressure use to be normal 128/80, now after remicade I float around 140/90. Anyone else?

My Doctor ask "how long are you stiff in the morning"? Except for flare ups I am the same stiffness all the time. The longer the day the more I hurt. Mornings usually provide more relief than late at night.

I have had no surgeries but I snap-crackle-pop like a box of rice krispies. My back is "hunched" atleast 60+ degrees from my hips. Almost looks like a right angle on video tape.


I do not swell up. But my right shoulder flares up more than anything else.

I have had Euvitis in the left eye twice and was blind in it each time for over a month.I think the euvitis has been the worse experience of all.