Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group newbie with questions.

Hi everyone My name is Lynne, I am a newbie to this wonderful sight. I knew a little about a.s. long before I ever had any symptoms because my Great Aunt Mary found out what had been plagueing her all her years when she had a pacemaker inserted when she was 80. They told her all about it and she told me all about it because she was compelled. needless to say, I was alittle spooked but shook it off and declared that I would never get that.that denial has lasted many years. My symptoms came on slowly. first my shoulders kept going out of jount losing range of motion in them. then my hips got so stiff it was hard to walk then the bottoms of my feet started feeling like when you get your finger poked times 100 I got so bad I bought a cane to help me balance through the pain. I searched web and the same thing kept coming up for my symptoms. A.S. All my doctors told me to see a specialist, and one told me it looked like A.S. but I never persued it due to my lack of faith in doctors and my constant denial. since Ive found this sight though Ive become convinced to persue this further when I save up some money for the appt. I usually only see a doctor once or twice a year but it looks like that will change now. I am glad that you wonderful people are here. maybe its not too late. I can still slam my back on the floor every day and hear it crack up and I can still get a little run my step since Ive found the A.S. diet and the A.S. diet helped me throw away the cane I needed for balance. Thank you so much for this site and all of you. god bless. My questions are these:About how much will this maladie cost me per year? Do you need constant care? The diet took away most of the pain, but it is starting to come back a litle, how long untill its unbearable? Thanks again for this website and for all of you.

Hi Lynne,

Welcome to kickas.org.
Does slamming your back on the floor mean what I think it means? If so, Ouch! The cost of treatment varies, but if it gets too expensive you should look into health insurance. The only time I ever really had constant care is when I was on biologics or methotrexate. Otherwise I only see my rheumatologist 2 to 4 times a year, but this doesn't include any tests that need to be done in a different location. I'm sure someone else will come along and help with your other questions.

Take care,
James

Hi Lynne
Welcome to our little piece of the web. I am glad that you found us.

Your story isn't that different from many others here. We all have had that bit of denial. I think that the others have answered your questions as well as they can be. AS is a different creature for each of us.

If the diet is giving you some relief, I would certainly go that route. I hope that the Dragonslayer reads your post, he is our resident NSD guru and living proof of its success. He can halp you perfect your diet so you get the maximum effect from it. Drop him an IM or post on the NSD Forum and I am sure that he will help you.

Hi Lynne welcome to KA
I cant answer your Question about cost because I live in the UK. As for your other question its not easy to answer some people only ever get it mild and dont get any fusing and not too much pain and others like me get it severe.Im nearly completely fused and have severe Kyphosis. Levels of pain vary person to person so Im afraid you will just have to wait and see.I really hope you get a good Rheumy who can get you on a good course of treatment and that you dont suffer too much.Best wishes
Kevin

Welcome to Kick AS.Im sure you will love this site and all the people who use it.

John

slamming my back on the floor means sitting on the floor cross-legged and forcfully laying back really hard. It's really not as bad as it sounds and the relief it supplies is totally worth it I can stretch on a chair back all day and not loosen up the spine as well as a sudden blow. found that out one day when someone rear-ended me on an on-ramp.

Hi Lynne
That slamming your self back on the floor sounds a bit dangerous to me especially having AS you should be carefull doing that.
Kevin

Isnt that better than freezing and not being able to catch a full breath? I guess your right it just helps me feel so much better.

Yes I know what you mean but you might find you do it one day and it will hurt like hell. I used to force myself back on the floor untill the day there was an almighty crack and I hurt so much I couldnt move or breath. Just thinking of you.
Kevin