Hi Serenity,
Welcome. You and I sound very much alike with our 'pains'. My A.S. started in my knees in my teens/early 20s. I am also hyperflexible, there is a condition call Hyperflexibility or Hypermobility Syndrome, here's a definiton "Excessive flexibility, either of one or a number of joints, resulting in joint laxity and an increased risk of dislocations." Next time you see the rheumy or rn tell them about the hypermobility, it can make a small difference. Your feet hurt & it feels like a piece of broken bone? Have your doctor do an xray of your feet, you may have a bone spur, this is one indicator of ankylosing spondylitis. I have one, and it was one of the reasons my doc diagnosed me with a.s. I do NOT have the HLA-B27 gene, but that doesnt mean you dont have a.s. There is a percentage of non HLA-ers that still have a.s.

I also started out when the pain really got really bad walking hunched over, it hurts too much to stand up straight right? I found a solution, get a cane from the drug store. This forces you to straighten your back without putting strain on it. It also will give you more stability. Depending on the store you go to, sometimes they have them with neat designs on them, your kids could help you pick it out, it can be a 'family' thing. In a way it will also help them to help you. You dont want to burden them, but they can get your cane for you when you need it. I dont know how old your kids are but at least a couple seem younger? The cane does make a HUGE difference.

Umm, what else... I wake up several times a night after turning onto my back. I lay there in so much pain trying to move onto my side. I have to grab a handful of sheet/mattress to pull myself into a sitting position so I can turn over onto my side. End up rolling onto my back again later and have to repeat the process several times.. yeah I could put something behind my back to stop the roll but I cant stay in one position too long. I also have sciatic pain so when that kicks in.. wheewww. no fun!

Ok, I think that covers most of it. So, no, you are not alone in this. I am fairly new to this site as well, but already I feel at home, with family.

Anytime you have questions someone will have some kind of answer or correlation.

Again welcome,
Kirsty smile

Mom of two beautiful girls, now young women (they grow so fast!)

fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, spastic colon, osteoarthritis - knees, carpal tunnel, planter's fasciitis, migraines - I think thats more than enough eh?