Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Spondylitis Symptoms - List Your Symptoms

Had terrible pain since last 15 years. underwent major spine surgery. was doing well for a year.. then something happened with hardware.. Slowly slipping back into same miserable situation again, I guess.. I have been in pain for almost a decade and I have forgotten what it feels like to not be in pain..
The only thing that reminds me , I am not like others is, when I see them doing things. travelling, laughing, talking.. even breathing is a problem for me lately or talking. My chest does not expand.. tired all the time.. have been out of touch with this forum and fellow AS patients.. I hope I will be regular here and use some information to bring my life back in control..

I can relate to forgetting about AS. Seeing others do things is a reminder for me too. practicing yoga is a humbling reminder of my limitations. For me, yoga is worth it because it does help me with pain and function. I have restricted lung capacity due to AS too. I practice pranyama (breathing techniques) as part of the yoga and I hope that is helping as well.

The upcoming SAA seminar (virtual) in September has Dr. Clauw who specializes in pain. That may be something to join in. You are also welcome to join the Los Angeles Education/Support Group. we are meeting on Zoom on the 2nd Sunday of the month. This month (September) we have an acupuncturist speaker.

I hope this helps and especially that you find find some effective things for the pain and tiredness soon. If you are like me, there are some days/weeks/months/years/decades that are better than others. I was much worse in my 30s than I am now in my late 50s. I would not have ever thought that would be the case.

Kindest,