Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group New member story: Feedback on your thoughts please

I'm optimistic for what may come from here, but while you take these other pratical measures to feel better - might I suggest Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, based on Jon Kabat-Zinn's program. It has by far been the most beneficial practice I've taken up since going through rounds with my own medical ailments - and though it's very unlikely that it will get rid of the pain, it may allow you to reduce it or at least change the way you perceive it.

The benefits may also extend to many other aspects of your life.

Best of luck my friend!

I will have to give that a shot, thank you. I'm open to trying anything at this point!

I just want you to know that I understand your frustration. I'm your age, but female, and it's hard not being able to go out and do normal things anymore. Also, my dr. can't give me a for sure answer either, which is so frustrating. My 92 year old grandma does more than me.

One thing that helped me mentally, which I think is a HUGE part of getting through this, is to read the book "dying to be me" by Anita Moorjani. It really touched my soul and helped me to believe that even when everything is falling apart, things really, truly are still OKAY and they are going to remain OKAY. I really believe that, and using that as a mantra has helped me a lot.

You will find a way out of this mess, you will be pain free again, you will have a happy life, you will fulfill your dreams. It's hard, but you're strong and you can get through this. And you're not alone in going through something like this, even though sometimes it feels lonely. Please stay strong.

Thanks for the tip - it's appreciated whenever someone takes the time to check out my story. I definitely get my good days and my bad days - and I'm going to try to make more of the good days come about.

I'll also check out that book too. Thanks for the reply! Are there any useful tips or exercises/therapies that you find helpful for relief?

All of the following have helped me: reducing stress, eliminating gluten and dairy from my diet and only eating non processed foods (currently experimenting with NSD), eliminating alcohol, Alejandro junger's cleanse called "clean gut" helped regulate my bowels and improved my blood work levels (I was still eating starch though so I think that's why I didn't lose all the inflammation), I sleep with loose wrist braces because I have hand arthritis, I use voice software to help me type, I walk 30 min to one hour daily, I stretch daily, I lay on my back and lift my legs in a table position for my abs daily (and do other stuff like that for my abs since it does not strain my neck), I work on my posture, I use a tempurpedic seat cushion and the tempurpedic symphony pillow, and I get regular massages. I recently got my med. marijuana license so i will see how that plays out, i'm hoping to start juicing the leaves. Pt also helped me get rid of some tingling I had down my arms, but they also tore my rotator cuff from pushing too hard on my shoulder, so while pt can be great, be careful if you go that they don't injure you. Good luck!!!