#spinalcord

MEET AS FACE , Erin Thatcher

Here’s her story:

I am 30 and have had AS for the past 10 years. It took me 8 to get a proper diagnosis. As a child I had been inflexible, but from my late teenage years I began having issues like chronic tendinitis, bouts of inflammation and pain, and several fractures.

No provider could help me. I saw countless doctors and physical therapists but everyone was stumped. I was diagnosed with celiac disease, several vitamin deficiencies (D, B12, iron, etc) that I still struggle with today. We hoped that resolving those problems would fix my inflammation and joint issues but it did not.

Eventually in research I found out about enthesitis, the inflammation of tendons and ligaments where they attach to bones. This was a major issue of mine and I asked my rheumatologist. She agreed to test me for HLA-B27 which she said would come back negative because it is an indicator for a “Man’s Arthritis”. It was positive and I switched providers following the results – my new Rheumatologist did more testing and I was diagnosed with AS promptly.

Today I have twin toddlers who were born micro-preemies. They make my life so worth it – though it is a challenge to physically care for them at times. I work full time and also run a non-profit  organization. Enbrel, Mobic, and Lorzone along with a consistent sleep & work schedule help me manage my AS.

Stay Strong #RP! Thanks @naturally_lupie #spoonies #spoonielife #arthritis #ankylosing #spondylitis #chronicillness #invisibledisease #spinalcord #inflammation #infusion #backpain

Sometimes letting go shows more strength than to keep holding on….Think about it

“My name is Wendy Krulee and I have Ankylosing Spondilitis (AS)….I blaze the trail for others by learning as much as I can about my disease and by spreading awareness. I will “kick that door in” as Cookie would say and I will kick all the shit off my bucket list when/while I can. I will NOT let this disease rule me. It is not who I am, it is just a portion of me that makes up the whole, good and bad.”

You Go Wendy! AS Warrior

Not defined by our spines…..

PSA to all AS Warriors to remember what their fellow AS warrior Jamie Coman said—>

“I have had ankylosing spondylitis for 15 years, along with a few other diseases. People often say I don’t look sick, or you’re too young to have that many things wrong with you.  My name is Jamie Coman, and I’m a rock star!”

AND YOU ALL ARE!

What a powerful image…“I didn’t know my son took this photo until this morning when downloading from my camera. This was 2 weeks ago when I was barely able to get out of bed due to AS. Makes me want to cry thinking about what might have been going through his thoughts that made him decide to take the picture.” ~ Melissa Levanduski #ankylosing #spondylitis #arthritis #inflammation #invisibledisease #chronicillness #rheumatoid #autoimmune #spinalcord #infusion #standtall

Small piece of advice….#AsWarrior #StandTall

Meninges break down

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