Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group First Post! Hey.

Hey Kick AS.

I thought it's about time i should introuduce myself, I'm Drew 20 years old from the UK! and have just been diagnosed with AS finally after symptoms since the age of 15 and doctors telling me i was Chronic Fatigued and to rest! but i just saw the best Rhumatologist ever and he was baffled that i had gone mis diagnosed all this time. Iv'e been researching AS for quite some time though.

Anyway i guess im just trying to get my head around everything at the moment, im such a social person always out but not so much recently over the years id say its a case of AS coming and going but i have noticed some minor changes in my posture which really upsets me as im constantly looking in the mirror haha , im really interested in meeting some new people i know no one with AS personally all my friends are out partying so it's hard for them to understand my pain would be great to meet someone who knows what im going through, been browsing around on here for some time now and finally decided to post. Is there any younger people on these forms would be great to chat!

I recently just finished working on the new Harry Potter movie ( just background work ) and with alot of waiting around and sitting still i beleive my AS flared up and then i travelled over to the states to hang out with some friends and the plane ride well it was difficult to say the least, i just want my old life back , me and my friends had plans to go travelling right through september - december thailand , hong kong, aus but due to things being the way they are now thats highly unlikely. I've been swimming quite alot recently and would defintly recommend.

Anyway it's Friday so im off to Partyyyy. I hope to meet some great people!

Keep kicking

- Drew.

Drew:

I'm too new to say "welcome," but it's good to meet you. I've met a few people here who do movie work (mostly electrical).

I started having symptoms when I was 18 but didn't get away from doing painful physical work until age 27. I'm very tall and worked in patient care. Working over beds, even with meticulous attention to body mechanics, just did me in. It took a lot of patience and off-the-clock cross training, but I managed to get into transcription, which involves hours of sitting. That's easier to deal with, in this intermittently agonal condition. This was before I got diagnosed and still believed the pain would just vanish one day. Glad I hedged that bet.

Swimming is great. Getting diagnosed at an early age is excellent. Getting in touch with smart and supportive people who share your predicament is a wise move. If we have to live with this beast, I'd rather do so in a time when there's the interwebs.

Spending hours on a plane makes life with AS a blast, doesn't it?

I used to be a more social person, getting some of that back lately. People may not understand the pain, but most can tell when a fellow human is hurting, and empathize, even if they don't say anything. Don't underestimate the sturdiness of friendship. If I'm slowing people down during a get-together, and they still want to hang with me, I take that as a compliment.

Hey Drew

My son Eric just turned 18. He was diagnosed at 9. I will ask him to sign in and look for you in the next couple of days. He is kinda close to your age.

Welcome to KA. You will be happy you found us. I promise.

Lori

Drew,

I am 22 and have been dealing with issues for a while. I didn't see a doc for my symptoms until age 19. I had them for all of high school, and probably some before. I just thought they must be growing pains and everyone felt this way.

I married my husband and moved from Texas... which is humid, but hot.... to washington which is wet and cold. Talk about feeling that in my joints! This is what made me investigate. Almost 3 years of physical therapy, manipulation treatment, and guessing... now I just saw my first Rheumy and fianlly got dx.

I too am young and forging my way in my career. I am on a path to becoming a professor in teacher education, and hopefully a career in research, etc. I am fortunate enough to have found a career that I love, but AS is one more obsticle to pass.

I know how it feels to be the one on the outskirts. I spent my whole freshman year of college partying and drinking... so that's probably why it took longer to really feel the AS. Now I can't have more than one glass of wine with all the meds. I'm no lush, but c'mon... no one wants to be the permant DD, right?

Also, it's not so great to try to make people understand you're in pain everyday when you're "so young and healthy!". I am greatful to be able to put on a great exterior, but the ignorance gets to me. Even more the idea that I'm a slacker because I look fine.

Anyway... you're among friends here. Come and go as it works for you. I'm still trying to get my head around this too.

Aly

Hi Drew and welcome to KA!

Hugs,

Hi Drew,

Welcome to KA. I'm glad you found us and I'm sure you will meet lots of people in their 20's here. This is not just a disease that affects us (old) people. You will receive much love & support from all.

Best of luck in your journey. We are all in this together.

Glenn

Welcome to Kick AS Drew!

The ages of folks here are widely ranged, so I am sure there are quite a few younger folks (I am still lying that I am perpetually 29yrs old ). Congrats on being dx early on, my doctors figured it out later in the game and I had my first total hip replacement at 23yrs old, so not fun dude! Anyhoo, take care and welcome, you've found a new family!

JP

Welcome Drew!

I just wanted to tell you that I found this support group, before it was turned into Kick AS, when I was 27 yrs. old. I am 40 now and the support from fellow ASers over the years has been unbelievable. Anytime you get a chance to meet anyone with AS, I highly encourage it. I have gone to so many parties and get-togethers that we have had and met so many people from this board, there is nothing like it.

Your friends may never truly "get it" but stay here and read and post and learn and share. Everyone here understands exactly what you are going through!

Best wishes,
Cristina

just wanted to say welcome and that there are a number of people your age on here....though personally, i still like to think i'm one of the young ones (i'm 45).

sue

Hi Drew,

Glad you found us here, there is a lot you can do to help yourself through learning about AS. Take the time to learn and hopefully you can find the right treatments to put the disease on the sideline.

Tim