Hey Cam,
I was diagnosed last month but have been showing symptoms since I was 15. I also have and currently have been experiencing a lot of what you talked about. I have found that personally for me without any sort of medicine to curb the pain I wouldn't be able to function and the level I am barley maintaing now.

For a long time I played the role of everything is okay happy and hunky dory, while inside I was literally feeling like I was dying physically and emotionally. I literally got to the breaking point and was so happy to come across this site because it has helped me tremendously especially in a family or relationship that does not have any idea the pain and fear that you are experiencing.

I hope you will find both information and comfort here on the site and know that you have a bunch of people who understand and can relate to what you are experiencing. I also am going through the stage of wondering what will the future hold and will it always be like this ( I am currently 31), which from what I can tell is a normal reaction.

I know the site has been an amazing help to me both for technical questions and emotional support I hope you find the same here as well!

The positive note is that you were diagnosed early and hopefully they can find something that will help with the pain and slow the progression of the disease down. It took them 15 years to get a diagnosis for me, so catching it young I think will be a benefit for you in the long run.

It can be hard when people don't understand some of the changes you are going through, I have found a therapist that is amazing and had experienced chronic illness herself and have found her also to be a great asset to helping me cope through this. I was lucky and found her for free, but usually there are sliding scale and some free people out there that you might want to consider talking to.

You have found a place where people "get it" and welcome to the family!

Hugs,

Psoriatic Spondylitis- July 26, 2011
Fibromyalgia - 2004
Sleep Apnea - 2010