You can talk with us, Leanne. Wow, you really are one of the very early members of KA!

I'm so sorry to hear that your 17 y/o son has AS. I'm sure it must be heartbreaking for you and no wonder you are sooo sad. You must be feeling pretty overwhelmed, helping to care for your elderly Mom and with a husband and now a son with AS - that is an awful lot. More than life insurance, I hope your son has health insurance?

While nothing might seem positive today, take heart that the treatment options for AS have improved in leaps and bounds... to the point that your son is likely to live a very good life. Really. I was struck with AS at 18, and spent the next 25 yrs in pretty bad pain. Somehow I made it through those years. Over 11 yrs ago now, I started treatment on Remicade and this wonderful medication has put me in near remission. Best 11 yrs I've known since I was 18!!!

Most important for you to know, is that research suggests that people who start on a biologic very soon after disease onset have an increased likelihood of the med putting their disease into remission.

Take a deep breath, give yourself time, and give your son time to get used to this... be kind to yourselves. The thing I've found is that every challenge life throws at us really does make us stronger. I imagine you probably don't want to need to be any stronger than you already are... but you guys can do this. You will get through this and your son will find his way though the treatment maze of options... and you will all find ways to have fun and enjoy life despite this rotten diagnosis.

Don't lose sight of taking very good care of yourself ... that will help give you the strength to lend to your family when they need it at times.

mig