Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group I can't believe how many of you/us suffer

Thanks Ray, but you must know that Loz and I sometimes just can't resist showing off a bit and having fun at the same time.

He's actually a pretty bright guy for a young fellow! (wonder what he'll do with that line)

George

Breb Assyl

I second all those feelings about Icky George...so well put as only you can do.....

Lovie Dovies...from Becca and Debbie

welcome bones to the site, youll find many a laugh,and also the serious stuff her LUV Elspeth.

Welcome, Bones, to our wonderful (and sometimes whacky) family.

Re: Meds. Have you ever tried a DMARD (disease modifier)? Over the past couple of years my mobility was skidding down hill, got to the point where the only way I could walk any distance beyond to my car and back was with the use of a cane, felt like I had morphed into my grandmother. I started Arava last October and the results have been amazing. I actually get out of bed in the morning like a normal person, instead of rolling to the edge and slowing edging myself to a sitting position and then to my feet, followed by a good deal of crab walking until I could stand upright. And not to mention the pain, made my mornings a misery. The cane is retired to a dark recess in the closet - - not thrown away, mind you, don't want to tempt the fates There are side effects - - aren't there always? - - but for right now the benefits far outweigh the risks. I also take Soma at night which helps me to get the rest I need, for I know Arava is not a cure, there is no cure, just a reprieve, and we all must take care to not let our defenses down, to keep our bodies as healthy otherwise as possible, and being sleep deprived doesn't help.

Cheryl

Dogs believe in long term relationships

Hey Bones!

WELCOME!!! I'm in the same boat as you! 27 & active & pretty much in denial until a few months ago. I also get up at 5 am everyday... YECH!!! My rheumy has me on Voltaren and Zantac (so the voltaren's easier on the stomach) and at night an hour or two before bed I take Flexeril. I find if I take it early enough, I don't have too much of a groggy head in the morning.

One thing that has REALLY helped me is the Starch-Free diet. It's a little tough to get adjusted to when you have an on-the-go lifestyle, but with some planning it has helped. Some people don't seem to have really good results from it, but I know personally it has helped. Anyways, I suggest you look into it and decide for yourself!

WELCOME again!



Hugs!!!
Melinda

Bones,

Glad that you have found this site. There are a lot of great folks here.

I found the site a year and a half ago and then quit coming around until the last few days.

Reading everything at this site has been encouraging to me and has challenged me to LIVE life not in spite of the pain but because of it. Don't let the pain win.

It has been years since I slept well too. It does something weird to a person. Hang in there.

Valentine

Bones
You have all the information you may need at your finger tips. Ask away. You may have gathered that you are not alone in suffering from pain, lack of sleep, feeling Cra##y,depressed and the list goes on. That is why this group of ppl work together so well. One persons problem becomes everyones problem. The feeling of 'family' is overwhelming.
Welcome


Stay Well
Paul


A friend is someone who reaches for your hand. And touches your heart.

Bones nice to meet you.

Advice is here in abundance. Sort through it and take what works for you.

To that end if an NSAID ain't working right away move on to a new one. Lotsa choices on the market and one should work on your metabolism. Go directly to the No Starch Diet forum and learn to change how you eat. I say it again. GO directly to the No Starch DIet Forum and change how you eat.

Sleep, for me, was a contest to find the recliner that gave me a good solid 2 hours at a clip.

Hope you get some relief soon.

And once again, HELLO!!!


stevec-they also serve who stand and wait

Hi Bones,

I just wanted to mention this if you cannot get a DMRD, and because the NSD won't kick in immediatly. If you are just totally sick of the pain and want something to knock it out without keeping you loopy, I have found that a short dose of steroids, like prednisone, is good for that. This is definatly not the best idea for long term use as it has many long term side effects. But if you want something to give you relief for two or three weeks, a methoprednisone dose pack. You take a high dose the first day and cut it down by something like 5mg per day for a week. Just an idea if you are just so sick and tired of it and you want something to help NOW while you find something to help in the future. Good luck, my new firend, and welcome to the site. I think you have gotten a lot of very good advise.

Take care my friend

Daniel

Keep on keepin on Kicking some AS

Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to say thanks for all of the info. Reading some of the older posts both scared and motivated me. I am impressed with all of you're kindness. No starch huh? I'll give it a shot. Thanks again.
Take care, Bones