Hey there bosunmate, I must say your username is rather comforting. I was once told by an old fisherman after I fell off a ladder, there are two things you never turn your back on on any ship: One is a ladder and the other is a bosun's mate...lol
I am really glad to hear from someone else who has never experienced a remission. I have always commented that there are no flares for me, it's just constant and unrelenting. I think very few of us have to live like this and it's good to hear from someone else who lives this way. It seems so rare that both me and my doctors have wondered about my diagnoses at times - fortunately, I'm a classic case and there has never been any doubt...except from me.
What you wrote about waiting for a remission to kick in struck me and I only just noticed that you are from the TO area. I was born and raised in Hamilton (Oskee-wee-wee, Oskee-waa-waa...).
I suspect you've been "waiting" a lot longer than I have since I've only been dx'd for about four years now. How do you keep going? Is this as good as it gets?
Chris
Hi Chris i actually served in the Navy in the 60's, it was there i suffered trauma to the lower spine and the AS evolved from there. It progressed from there to include all the joints, and like many long time AS'ers i have restricted air way disease. I won't lie to you its been tough, something i wouldn't wish on anybody. The one good thing is that they know alot more about this illness now. There was very little known 30 years ago and no internet to research. I only have one kidney and copd so can't use the new drugs like Remicade and Embrel, but alot of people are being helped. And no this isn't as good as it gets, everyday you have hope that the next day will be better...And finally you ask how do i keep going. I look into the eyes of my wife of 38 years and she has been there every step of the way. We sometimes forget that our partners live with AS also. And last but not least is this web site that show's we are not alone. There's alot of good people here...
