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

Hello,

I have been living with the knowledge that I have AS for about 3 years now and I thought I would introduce myself.

I have kind of kept most of this to myself for most of the time that I have beed diagnosed. The love of my life is a big support and does not let me use it as a crutch. However it has been constantly embarrasing with people even complete strangers asking questions like "what happened to your neck." I am glad to have found this support group - and have contact with others to talk to.

For about 7 years I have experienced aches, pains, and loss of flexibility. I attributed it mainly to my job at the time - building wings for Boeing which is one of the most physically brutal jobs that exist there. After I was laid off I discovered that when I laid flat on the ground I could not put my head down. I spent 2 years trying to find out what was wrong. A chirporactor said I should be checked for AS and I went to several doctors trying to find out. Finnally after I was re-employed I found a doctor, who sent me to PT- which did nothing and then to a Rheumatologist that diagnosed me. After that there was the medication "Enbrel" and trying to be able to aford it - for a while even with assistance I still paid $600 a month for it. I changed medical plans and am now able to get it cheap.

I tried to ignore it for a year, I got kind of depressed about it. Now however I am back on my third month on Enbrel.

I have three vertibrae fused in my neck and aches in several other places.

I do miss being able to look up. I miss the stars.

Any way hello from Seattle Washington.

WELCOME TO THE KICK AS FAMILY....... ..........oak

Welcome Richard - glad you found kickas. If anything, it should be a comfort to be in contact with others who really know what you are going through. Sorry to hear about your neck fusing already. I am hoping I can prevent this disease from progressing further myself by follwing NSD and swimming, and just being strick with myself and trying to stick to a routine - that is my challenge. Only time will tell if all my effort will pay off.

Welcome to Kickas Richard,

Good news is that you know what you are battling and that you found us. Much can be learned here and elsewhere if you want. And if you just need a shoulder to lean on or vent, this is a great place as well.

Could a telescope help with seeing the stars again. I know AS has impacted us all with giving up a little bit of what we like, but that does not mean we do not have to give up without a fight or find new interests that may even be more rewarding.

Best to you Richard! Keep up the good fight.

Tim

Welcome to kickas Richard.
This place has been a great source of support for me. There is a lot of friendly knowledgeable people as well as a magnitude of information here. I hope you enjoy your stay and visit back often. Like you, I miss the stars too, so I used to lay on the hood of my car to look up and gaze into the night sky. I don't do that anymore though... because I don't have my own car to do whatever I want on it

Have a good day,
James.

Welcome aboard Richard!

Sarah

Welcome from all of us in Australia. I too am fused in the neck and on top of that broke it as well. I know its hard but I find water exercises and muscle streching helps. You have come to the right place for assistance and acceptance. I know I have. take care.

I hope you like our "happy family" here at KickAS! I love this place and it has helped answer a lot of questions for me as well as give me friends who actually understand what it's like to live with AS. I love visiting the Seattle area. My brother lived there for several years. We used to like to visit Ye Old Curiosity Shop on the waterfront with the kids when they were younger. Where else can you go to see real mummies and shrunken heads collected by head hunter tribes?...and for free!

Hi & Welcome,

WOW! Seems like you have been thru it, and I glad to hear that you are back on the Enbrel especially if it is working.

As for the stars...where there is a will there is a way we might just have to be creative in figuring out how.

Hope to see you around the forums,

Lisa

Hi Richard,

Welcome to KA!
Good luck with the Enbrel. I'm hoping to start on it soon myself. I'm hoping it'll give me some relief from this "flare" I've been in for months

Take care,
Sue