can anyone give me any advice on as? ive been diagnosed just a few weeks and need help and direction x

Hi. I have posted elsewhere in these forums a longer response to someone's difficulty with getting a JAS/AS diagnosis. I can tell you that my son, who is 20 years old, has been diagnosed with JAS for 4 years. His consulting pedi-rheumatologists always advised him to get a DEAD VIRUS (no live virus!) flu vaccination annually. Also, many JAS/AS patients report that they see physical therapists to get exercise regimens to help stave off JAS bone/joint damage, etc. To keep their susceptible joints healthy in the long run, in other words.

Gook luck.

I will have a look at that, try anything once, however with respect I do not see how a twisted spine and other physical problems can be down to attitude.

The comment referred to in the post above has been deleted as the user was spamming the site trying to sell a product.

Regards,

Alan

Hi Ashlee. I was diagnosed with AS about 25yrs ago. I had a shoulder opp & the specialist noticed I moved my neck very stiffly & ordered me to get X-rayed. The AS was in the top of my neck, with 5 of the top 8 vertebrae seized solid. I eventually had the same trouble with 3 at the base of my spine starting to seize. I was told it could not be reversed. Going about normal life, I was getting the most tremendous headaches & neckpain you could imagine. It was like being hit on the back of the neck with an iron bar. It made me physically sick & no amount of painkillers had any effect. If my pillow was 1" too high or too low I would pay for it for days after. I can now hardly turn my head without turning my whole body, my movement is so restricted at times, that driving is out of the question as I can't see traffic to left or right at junctions. I have been on a fairly high dose of tramadol for over 10yrs now, as well as gabapentin & ibufrofen.

I also have severe osteoarthritis in my right hip & both knees, as well as gout in feet & fingers. I think I must be a glutton for punishment.

By the way, I seem to be the only one without the brown "message" box. Have I omitted something, or do I have to have someone PM me first? Thanks.

Hi Lee,

You do not see the message button on your own posts as you do not use it to message yourself. Only other users will see it under your name and I can confirm it is there. If the button does not appear under other users' names this is because they have opted out of receiving them.

Regards,

Alan

Ahh, thanks for clearing that up for me Alan. Perhaps I will now sleep tonight?