Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group new

Hi Sheila and welcome to KA!
Glad you and your husband found your way here and that you both will be sticking around.
I am sure you're not happy that you both have AS, but it must be alot easier to have some one so close who truly understands. Most spouses try very hard, but unless someone actually has AS, it's harder to really understand what it's like.
That's what makes KA so great, because people here can say..."I can relate" and you know they truly can. Having that understanding does so much for the people here.
Welcome hugs to ya,
Lisa

Hi Lisa,
I think you misunderstood, I do not have AS (thank God), my husband Mike does, I was just saying thanks to everyone for being here and for the support of what we are going through, meaning although he goes through the hell, it effects us all, it is very hard to see the one I love in pain continuously. Thanks agian, Sheila

Hi Sheila,

Welcome to Kickas, glad you like it here and hopefully your husband does as well. So much you can pick up here in the fight against AS.... new med info, dietery approaches, exercises, alternatives, support... the list is endless.

Keep the chin up answers are to be had and better days will come. Being informed and becoming involved in your own health is the best advice I can give.

Take care,

Tim

Hope is only a post away with KickAS.

to KICKAS.

Welcome to KICKAS.

The rest of my post is my normal welcome information and is well worth a read.

You will find this site and the people on it very supportive, knowlegeable and experienced. One of the great aspects of the site is that people share experiences.

Have you been through the normal battering of tests, XRays, MRI, Catscan. Have you had a blood test done, HLA-B27 positive or negative, Rhuemtoid Factor, ESR and CRP readings.

Look around the site, there is a lot of useful information, the following are things you should look closely at.

The NSD No Starch Diet is well worth trying, many people here have had great success with the diet, some have managed to come off all medications on the diet. If the diet works for you, then that is got to be better than taking medications. Remember though that the diet does not work for all of us. If you are serious about trying the NSD, try starting with the 3 day Apple diet first, I think it is a system cleanesing/detox diet. As to the NSD, there are differing levels of the diet from strict NSD to LSD to Gluten Free. My suggestion is to try the strict NSD first and migrate down to the lower levels experimenting with various foods and there effects.
Here are some links. (just click on them)
AS Dietary Primer
AS Foods
No Starch Forum
No Starch

As far as medications, have a look at postings related to Enbrel/Remicade/Avara/Humira these are relatively new medications to treat AS, the downside is that these drugs are extremely expensive and you will need to check if you are covered. Many people have posted great success on these medications.
Check out the AS Pharmacy Forum
Medications

Myself, I think the answer lies in finding the right combination of Diet/Medication/Exercise that suits you, everyone is different.
There is a saying here "Use it or Fuse it", exercise is really important. Some suggestions are Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi.
Hydrotherapy is also well worth trying.

One other thing, learn as much as you can, you may find your Doctors knowing very little about AS, and I suggest that you become proactive in your appointments, ie suggesting and discussing things that you find on this site with your Doctors.

Look around the site, there is a lot of useful information here.
If you have any questions, post them up and you will be surprised at the amount of responses.

Another thing to watch out for is Uveitis (a form of Iritis), which is common with AS.
UVEitis
If you get this see an eye specialist immediately, as permenant eye damage can occur if not treated.

The following link's are some light reading on AS.
AS Information 1
AS Information 2
This link also descibes the link between IBD (GI) and AS.
AS Information 3
AS Information 4

Also if you go back to the main page KICKAS Main Page you will find the following sections with great reading information.
Medical Center
Diet Center
These sections are well worth reading.

Also if you need a good laugh there is the Jokes Forum
Humor

Sorry for all the reading material.
Take Care
Wayne

Hi Sheila, welcome to KA!

I'm sure several people have said this already, but make sure to check out both our family and friends forum and out women's forum.

Hugs,

Kat


"I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."- Thomas Edison

Welcome Sheila, to KickAs. You've found a great resource for both you and your husband. I too suffer from RA & AS, so if there is anything I can possibly help with, I'll try.

Don't forget the Women's Forum (as well as the Family one)!

Stay well,

Sherree