Picture

This page is still under construction!

INTRODUCTION

Since I have been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) almost ten years ago, I have been trying to cope with the disease, as well as learn as much as I can about this serious and devastating form of arthritis. Even though I have been online for the last couple of years I have not, until recently (after my very supportive and caring wife, Heidi got on my case again for giving up on my treatment, and for not standing up to this disease), used the Internet as a tool to find out more about AS, or to share my experience with others who may or may not have AS.

The very next day, I did a search for AS on the Net and to my surprise, I found numerous web sites devoted to this topic. Most of them are just packed with very useful information on AS. Some sites are put up by medical institutions, and some by people with AS. The latter ones are the ones that really created a spark in me, and inspired me to add this page to my existing site. One site in particular was extremely helpful, and I would like to thank Brian Harris for sharing his life story and for his individual support, and for taking time to put up such a helpful site.

    Anyway, as you can see, this page is  in its infancy, but I am planning to add a number of links that I found useful and informative while researching AS. Further, as I was moved after reading Brian's story, I will write my own experiences with AS, as well as my thoughts while coping with the disease, to help other sufferers learn more about it. I am particularly hoping that this will be useful for newly diagnosed people around the world, but I hope that old timers like Brian will also find my site useful.

SOME FACTS ABOUT AS

Ankylosing Spondylitis is one of a hundred forms of arthritis. It mostly attacks males, but it is not uncommon for women to have it, although it usually displays slightly different symptoms in women. Today, estimates show that about 300, 000 people in the US are diagnosed with AS, or approximately 1% of population. AS is not a very well understood disease, its cause is not known, and currently there is no cure. It is, however, believed that this is a hereditary disease, and research shows a close correlation with a gene called HLA-B27 that is present in over 90 percent of people with ankylosing spondylitis. AS primarily affects the spine as well as joints in the extremities: shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. AS causes the ligaments and vertebrae in the spine and joints in the extremities to fuse, and grow together, thus resulting in constant inflammation, pain and loss of mobility.

    This is a progressive disease, as it may take years to run its full course. The spinal column usually tilts forward during and after fusion of the vertebrae, and a person may not be able stand up straight or sleep on one's stomach. The whole spinal cord or just parts of it may be affected. However, pain usually first starts in the hip and/or lumbar area. People with ankylosing spondylitis often awaken in the middle of the night or early morning hours with lower back pain, or even feel like their breathing is restricted from back pain. Normally, symptoms become less pronounced with movement or exercise (however, not in my case-exercise sometimes makes it worse). Over a period of years, pain and stiffness may progress into the upper spine and/or into the chest and neck. The spine may become completely rigid, making the person at risk of breaking his or her spinal cord as a result of a simple fall or minor car accident.

     Ankylosing spondylitis may affect the entire body in some people. It can cause various other health problems such as fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue, and in addition to the joints, can damage organs such as the lungs, heart, and eyes.  However,  eye inflammation (iritis) seems to be the most common secondary symptom of AS. I  had it just a few months ago. The eye becomes red and extremely sensitive to light, and if not treated immediately can permanently damage one’s vision. Fusion of the sternum and ribs causes difficulties in breathing, as the lungs cannot fully expand and contract. Also, sneezing or coughing may bring on excruciating pain in the chest and back.

I will be writing my own personal story about my battle with AS, and posting it here. Please, feel free to contact me with any comments, suggestions, questions or AS links that I should include below.

Here are few links to pages with AS info:
 
Rule

Rule
Guestbook by Lpage

Sign My Guestbook

View My Guestbook