Hi everyone. I was refered to this site from a member of a completely unrelated site and so happy I am here.
I have been reading through some topics here, both last night and today and it has actualy helped me feel a little better.
I will try to keep this short but sorry if I can't.

Ok here I go.
I am a 30yr old lady and only 2 days ago was diagnosed with AS.
I am realy struggling with the pain right now. I had to go to hopistal last night and they gave me morphine wich made me very sick.
Some past medical history. What is related to AS and what is not I dont know. I though you all may be able to help me with this.
As a young child I was diagnosed with osgoodschlatters disease in my knees. This is an inflamatory disease.
I then developed arthritis in my knees. I also have a lot of problems with my hips and my right hip often dislocates.
during my teenage yrs I had numerous joint problems and back pain. At the time I out this down to being an athlete and living on the farm. I also spent a large amount of time each yr in hospital with croup an inflamation of the airway. I have endometriosis(sp) I had 5 miscarrages but have 3 beautiful kids. When pregnant with my eldest daughter I had toximia and almost died. Then with my youngest I had symphis pubis disfunction, an inflamation of the pelvis. And 3 weeks after she was born I had to have my apendix removed.

In 2002 I was diagnosed with disc disease in my back, arthritis, 2 curvatues of the spine and a tilt complex.
I have been on pain meds and antiiflamatories ever since with times that flare up realy bad.
I have IBS, reflux and other stomac problems from all the medications. I now take somac for this.
Last year I had to see a cardiologist as I have developed heart pulpitations and have quite low blood pressure.
And I have tarigiums on my eyes and get very red and swollen eyes that are sensitive to light.

I recently had another CT scan and found numerous problems with the discs in my lower back and now also my upper back. I have stenosis and lesthesis in the s1 area.
For the last few days I have been in extreme pain. In my lower back, mid to upper back, left shoulder, neck, knees and legs. And my chest aches so bad. After seeing my ct scan my doctor sent me for blood tests and then 2 days ago confirmed the diagnosis of AS.
I have been doing a lot of research in the past 2 days and I guess what I am experiencing now is a "flare up" I don't know what of the medical problems I have are contributed or caused from AS.
All I know is I am in so much pain and just cant take it any longer. I try to sleep and think if I die in my sleep it will be good. But I cant get to sleep I have had insomnia since I was about 14. Even when I do get to sleep, I wake up from the pain.
Sorry to bore you with all this. I am just so lost and so sick of this pain.