Living with Ankylosing spondylitis

 Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of arthiritis of the spine, causing inflammation and gradual fusing of the vertebrae. Early symptoms include pain and morning stiffness in the lower back and hips.

Apart from clinical diagnosis it requires lab test and imaging. With the help of certain treatments and lifestyle modification it can be managed but there is no magic cure. The exact cause for ankylosing spondylitis is not known. A genetic mutation could be a factor. Symptoms include:-

1.Inflammation at pelvis and spine that usually causes inflammatory back pain.

2.Pain and/or swelling of any other joint in the body (hips, knees, ankles, feet, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, etc.)

3.Uveitis/iritis , the rapid onset of marked pain and redness in one eye at a time.

4.Psoriasis skin rash.

5.Inflammation in the intestine which can cause Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, undifferentiated colitis).

6.Dactylitis, the inflammation along the tendons of the finger or toes.

7.Enthesitis, inflammation where tendons and ligaments meet the bone, this commonly occurs at the back

 

Ank spond patient has to deal a lot in a day to day basis. But illness makes the patient eventually change the outlook towards life and the way person look for the better days. Diagnosis of AS is like a wake up call to the body, a painful one that calls for lot of challenges and complete transition of lifestyle.

 

Morning routine with AS is most difficult, not only person wake up stiff, but  wakes up in pain and fatigue.  Along with mornings ,nights are also difficult to deal for an AS patient. It creats panisomnia (unable to sleep due to pain).

 

AS patients are recommended to move as much as they can whenever they can, because it will help in the long run.

Ank spond brings the phase of good days and bad days. During the painful or bad days an individual feels lack of will and energy for self care, lack of strength to socialise, feeling agitated and unwell. But on the good days individual is more energetic and hopeful and rejects all the unhelpful beliefs, person tries to do more physical activities, going out, taking initiatives and focuses on self care.

Ank spond sometimes lands up the person in the state of disability in which they become their own worst enemy. During this phase best solution is to focus on selfcare and become own best friend. But to regain this state and reclaim to be happy love and compassion is required from family and friends. So on the rough roads of ank spond the show must go on with hope and proper treatment.

Treatment mainly involves active rehab under a physiotherapoist, pharmacological management under a GP or  rheumatologist and lifestyle modification.