Life with an Invisible Illness
Two university students talk about the struggles of living with an invisible illness – axial spondyloarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease – sharing their personal experience and advice.
read moreDealing with a gremlin called ankylosing spondylitis
Dealing with a gremlin called ankylosing spondylitis on a daily basis can be exhausting. Faye is a physio, but she also lives with AS and shares her experiences (as well as some very useful tips!) in her vlogs on Youtube.
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On tour with ankylosing spondylitis: my story and music
I’ve loved and played music for as long as I can remember… and I won’t let my ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis get in the way of it.
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Taking back control from ankylosing spondylitis
Even with right medical treatment for ankylosing spondylitis it can be easy to lose control of your life and develop unhealthy habits. Sometimes it can spiral out of control and lead to a point where it seems there’s no return. Adam managed to come back from what appeared to be a hopeless situation and managed to transform both his body and life. His story not only shows that it’s never too late to get back in control, but also underlines the importance of professional support and healthy lifestyle in AS.
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In My Bones – living with ankylosing spondylitis
In My Bones is a short documentary depicting personal experiences and daily struggles of people living with ankylosing spondylitis.
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Ankylosing spondylitis, it’s not a competition!
Ankylosing spondylitis is not a competition – seems pretty simple, right? It is is a cruel condition. An invisible disease. If you read this, you probably live with it and endure it in your individual way. There is no one piece of advice that can apply to everyone, as everyone has different tolerances, and everyone’s condition develops in different ways. However, we all need to do the most we can to try and keep healthy.
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Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Journey to accepting myself again.
When I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis five years ago, I was far from accepting it. All I wanted was to be ‘normal’. At first, I kept the diagnosis to myself as I struggled to come to terms with it, let alone admitting it out loud. I felt that people around me already don’t understand my pain and limitations. I believed they were unlikely to understand the diagnosis as well.
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Ankylosing spondylitis did not beat me, it made me stronger and fitter!
I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 20 years ago. I was a young guy but unfit, lazy and heavier than I am now. Who knew that AS would be a blessing in disguise. It turned out to be my driver and motivation to keep stronger and fitter.
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The Intimacy Puzzle
Intimacy and sex are both subjects that often do not get enough attention in the AS or the disability community. I remember feeling overwhelmed and shy, not knowing who I could ask about these subjects as my specialist or family practitioner would say to me that “I will eventually figure it out” or “if you are in too much pain then you shouldn’t be intimate.” I have to say I was a bit shocked by the response and the unwillingness to even discuss how AS would affect my relationships, intimacy and intercourse.
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What the ‘fuse’? Ankylosing spondylitis won’t bring me down!
I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis just over 2 years ago. As soon as I was told by my doctors about it and heard the word ‘fuse’, it really got to me.
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