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MsCowgirl 
1:31pm, October 25, 2009
Three months ago I had a "cold" for a couple of days. Nothing special, just a sore throat, snuffly nose and generally felt off colour; except that afterwards I started having flare-up's of pain and stiffness in my joints. At first the flare-up's were unpredictable, they then progressed to weekly, then daily and have now progressed into what I would describe, as one, long flare-up. I feel like I'm really out of control now.
I am nearly always exhausted, nauseated and occasionally vomit without warning. I saw a Rheumatologist who has commenced me on Naproxen 1000mg daily, which sadly after 6 weeks, I cannot say I notice any therapeutic effect from them at all. My eyes are red and watery on bad days. I dont have a formal diagnosis yet, but my intuition and reading is telling me that I am developing AS.
I can feel the progression of the condition working its way up my spine. I feel like my spine is turning into a pillar of stone; and that I'm trying desperatley to stop the "cement" from setting. The progression seems really rapid, hopefully that is just in my imagination.
I've worked full time for 30 years, and suddenly my capability has declined by about 50%. I'm on Long Service Leave at the moment to try and buy some time to sort this out. The prospects of this happening look more remote each day. I catch my husband giving me worrying glances at times and although it worries me further, I thank god I have someone like this to support me, because experiencing this on your own would be pretty darn hard.
The level of pain is anything from mild to excruciating. I have become a "nocturnal wanderer" and can feel my way around the house by braille in the dark now 
. I either cannot get off to sleep because lying down is the most painful position to be in, or I am being woken up by the pain around 5am. Sleep deprivation seems to affect so many other things too.
I have always liked to think that there is no mountain too big to climb. The mountain I'm climbing at the moment is like Mt Everest and I have the nasty feeling I'm still at the base-camp. I have just got to keep visualising the view from the summit, I know it's going to be a good day when I get there. 
Comments
I too am having the problem too with a lot of pain and at night too. Trying to find some coping mechanisms to deal with it all day and all night (I had a spinal fusion done in October) Try to stay positive and take it day by day, that is how I am trying to survive right now.
teenytania
Hang in there sweetheart. Have you tried accupressure? I know some think it is offbeat and all that. I believed like you no moutain can stop me. Pain is a difficult one. Intense and prolonged affect everything about us.
I have tried to use the same methods used in Lamaze in my life when pain comes and stays. Using imagery techniques I imagine until you can feel it happening the pain safely leaving my body and it subsiding. My injuries were not light ones long story just believe I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
I visualize my joints becoming more flexible and believe it and try to gain in this way. Works not to necessarily take all away but a large amount to where joy is a possibility at times.
Lots of good books out there that you can apply techniques that will work at lessining your pain.
Love Rhea
tiredtiredtired
Hang in there sweetheart. Have you tried accupressure? I know some think it is offbeat and all that. I believed like you no moutain can stop me. Pain is a difficult one. Intense and prolonged affect everything about us.
I have tried to use the same methods used in Lamaze in my life when pain comes and stays. Using imagery techniques I imagine until you can feel it happening the pain safely leaving my body and it subsiding. My injuries were not light ones long story just believe I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
I visualize my joints becoming more flexible and believe it and try to gain in this way. Works not to necessarily take all away but a large amount to where joy is a possibility at times.
Lots of good books out there that you can apply techniques that will work at lessining your pain.
Love Rhea
tiredtiredtired