Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Women Only Message Board CAN WE HAVE NORMAL LIFESTYLE?

HELLO FRIENDS...IAM A DENTIST..JUST LAST MONTH I CAM 2 KNOW I HAVE AS...IT TOOK ME LOT OF TIME TAKE IT..MANY DR SAID U R A FEMALE SO AS CANT BE THERE..I HAVE NOT EVEN STARTED MY CAREER AS A DENTIST THAT THIS CAME UP...I FEEL VERY LOW...
MANY QUESTIONS R THERE IN MY MIND...LIKE CAN I PRACTISE DENTISTRY???... CAN I STUDY FURTHER???... CAN I GET MARRIED??... WILL I HAVE A NORMAL LIFE???...
IF I TALK ABT THIS TO MY PARENTS IT PUTS THEM DOWN BUT THAY ARE MY STRENGTH....
HOW WILL BE M LIFE AHEAD???
DO I HAVE TO DEPEND ON MY PARENTS NOW ALWAYS????IT ALL HAUNTS MEE.....
PLEASE CAN SUM1 TALK TO ME...PLSSSS

You are not alone. Unfortunately there are a lot of us here. Some with a very similar story to yours. I am lucky enough to already be married with children. I apparently had it since I was 16. So I would think you can still get married and have kids. It would scare me now to get pregnant, but I know there are others that have done it and I did have AS while I was pregnant, I was just blessed with ignorance of it at the time.
I am currently a stay at home mom, looking to work as a medical transcriptionist. I am not sure about dentistry, but I would hate to tell anyone that they can't fulfill their occupation. Maybe you can learn ways to do things so they do not hurt, or at least hurt less. Do they use TNFs in India? Remicade has helped me a lot, I would definitely look into starting treatment of some sort right away. I am sure others will be along soon and will have more uplifting and helpful things to say.
Tess

I've had "back Pain" from the time I was 18 years old. I have been married for almost 22 years with 2 sons aged 21 and 16. I have worked off and on (when family life permitted) throughout that time and I am in the process of adopting three little girls, age 11, 7 & 6 I say go for it, but accept plan be, if you have too.

I have had a very normal life, bumps along the way like every one else. Even though I have struggled with the AS from time to time I don't think I would trade my life for another one. I have learned so much, especially from my friends here. I will never meet them in person but I love them anyway. I have always worked and been VERY active. Nothing slowed me down until I hit 50 so if you are still young you have alot of years to live so get with it, make the most of everyday our God has given you and remember the more you give to others the better you feel about yourself.

Hi, Jassy!

I am 35, diagnosed last week with AS but have had symptoms for at least ten years (see the thread called List Your Symptoms here, page 5, for my details). I got married when I was 21; finished my college degree in pre-med/biology and have worked ever since. Five years ago I hit a "low" point (probably how you are feeling right now) because I had chronic pain and didn't know why.

I am thankful to not be disabled, and I don't think my situation will ever lead to disability or fusion. I am so grateful. I might someday get a hip replacement, and I do have to find ways to deal with the pain throughout the day. (I take quite a bit of ibuprofen and now sulfasalazine.)

Five years ago, when I was at my low, I started volunteering in a hospital. It makes me feel good to give to others and takes my mind off of my own pains and keeps me active and in motion. Swimming is also a great exercise for our joints.

Everyone's case and severity is different. I would say as long as you can find ways to manage your pain and if you have the abilities to work, go for it. Fulfill your dreams. Yes, there is hope!

Hi Jassy,

I'm 58, diagnosed at 28. I had 3 kids at the time under 9. I finished college and went on to teach special needs kids for 23 years. From 35-48, my pain for the most part was transient until it smacked me down 9 years ago. Since we never know what's around the corner, don't wait at the door listening for trouble to knock, you'll hear him when he comes. Do what will make you happy without the what ifs.

I agree with the above. You need to learn to manage the disease how it is presenting in your body. It may not be a "normal" life, but what is a normal life anyway. the older I get (50 now) the more I realize that almost everyone has something to deal with. You need to take the time to figure out how you are going to deal with the disease. Will Physical therapy help you? Swimming is great as mentioned above. As for dentistry, will having your own practice mean you work more or less? Will working for someone else be better for you or worse? You may need to modify your dream to be realistic for your situation. I have been married and have two children and that has brought me much joy, much more than a job ever could. (I also work, have my own business and that has come in handy as I can make my own hours) So, you have to figure out what will work for you. Take some quiet time for yourself, make some notes, write in a journal. Figure out how far you can push yourself before you feel like breaking and then learn to back off before that point or you are going to feel it for days afterward. For some reason, there seems to be a common thread amongst the AS'ers that post here and it is that we are a bit of "over achievers". I don't mean that in a bad way, because I fit into that category also. We are a gung-ho group that love to do twice as much as other people for some reason and slowing down is difficult for us. But, this disease will stop us in our tracks if we don't learn to listen to our body. Now, I don't mean quit everything and stay in bed, no way, we have to keep moving. Use it or fuse it!
Taking Remicade infusions every 6 weeks has really helped me, see if it is available to you. Also, indocin an anti inflamitory has heled and vicodin and fentanyl and lidocaine patches. Use whatever you need to get through your day. Try to keep a positive attitute and try to get the stressfull things out of your life. Stressful things can really bring you down and can cause more pain.
Bless you on this journey and post here for help and guidance and friendship especially if talking to your parents is too dificult. We are walking in your shoes and may have more comforting advice than your parents. Let them fulfill a different role for you.
Karen

I'm a dental assistant and tell you yes you can practice with AS! You can have kids ( me 4) and lead a wonderful life. There are moments that you hurt and have to adjust for that. At times I have to watch how I sit and bend when assisting and pretend not to be a gumby doll! Let me know if you need advice I've been doing this for 1994 and I have a host of tricks not to mention I can give my Dr a run for his money in every way except holding the drill! But I love my job and my patients.... Good Luck

Jody