My mother has suffered from ReA for 50 years, my sister has suffered from USpA for 15 years, and my nephew has suffered from AS for 12 years, so all of my family knows the seriousness of SpA. I guess I'm lucky in an unlucky sort of way. I'd rather my family didn't understand what SpA entails and have them healthy. But if family can't empathize, they should at least be able to sympathize. See if you can get some literature about AS into their hands. The SAA and NASS have some good info.

--Greg

AS symptoms started 1991. Official dx in 2006 with HLA-B27+, fused SIJ, bone spurs in back, extreme rib/hip pain, and other family with SpA. Started Enbrel in 2006 with good results, but stopped in 2010 due to nerve damage (MS) from it. Getting good results with no-starch diet since 2011.