Hi Rich,

In my experience, you should be seeing a rheumatologist. Many of us take many medications including methotrexate and a biologic such as Remicade or Enbrel to slow/prevent bone fusion. My favorite websites are http://www.spondylitis.org and http://www.kickas.org. Also, if you are on Facebook, search ASAP: Ankylosing Spondylitis Awareness Project--they are a HUGE help with all of us helping each other.

Hope this helped!

As you may be already aware of the fact that ankylosing spondylitis can't be cure. but there some treatments which can reduce the joint discomfort and improve the function.Other than physical therapy you can do exercises which stretch your body, it will reduce the stiffness and strengthen the muscles. You can go for some NSAIDs for pain relieving after consulting your doctor.

Hello I have had AS for 17 yrs I was in remission after my daughter was born 17 yrs ago and now has come back full force. I have tried traction, PT, tens unit, narcotics, acupunture, massage. You name it I have tried it. Anyway I went back to pain management and we again tried all kinds of meds finally opana and oxcodone but with opana I haven't had any break through pain and of course we are not planning on keeping me on this medicine we are going to try steroid injections again. I tried it once recently and I felt so good I over did it and the pain came back. So will try it again soon and try not to take on so much and eventually get off meds. Good luck

I am so sorry you were diagnosed with AS. I have been battling it for four years and my best advice to you is to not give up. PLEASE go see a rheumatologist. They are the physicians with the most experience treating AS. At first I did not know this but if not properly treated AS can lead to blindness, lung damage and severe joint damage. I don't want to discourage you; I only want you to know how important properly treatment is with this type of arthritis. Swimming and stretching help me more than anything with the pain. Since our pain is so severe I encourage you to be careful with the pain pills. I have tried about a dozen drugs and honestly Remicade works the best. It is horribly expensive but there is a prescription drug program (the govt makes the companies help us out with the cost) called Remistart that can help reduce the cost. I think Enbrel has a program as well. There is a new study out that shows that Remicade in conjunction with large doses of Celebrex and really help with the progression of the disease. Both drugs have really helps me. Good luck and know that God sees your pain and you do have purpose!

Does anyone find that they are depressed because of this condition? Don't get me wrong I know I am not as young anymore which in itself is hard enough to come to grips with, but knowing I can't do what I use to really is hard for me to deal with. I haven't found my limitations yet since my AS has worsened. Talking to some, I hear it could take months maybe longer. Unfortuntely, I find out when its too late. I am going to start yoga and hopefully that will help? Let you know how it goes. I also want to thank those that are on this support page for ideas and support...

Hi Rich ...wagwoof listed some great info, site for AS since 25 years ago they have come up with some great meds that have been getting people out of pain. You might want to look into that and definitely with a rheumetologist. I wish you the best, I am sorry you having so much pain, I know it is terrible when it is disrupting your sleep. Good Luck!

@mkjc135..
Yes, I have gotten depressed in the past and still do off & on....and I'm sure others as well in the world that has any non-cureable condition.
I want you to know you are not alone and if you need to talk I'am here....
Make sure you bring it up to your Doctor and there is a support group here on this site to talk to others with depression if one needs it. Their are a lot of great support groups.
Also I do yoga and I find it beneficial, I play some nice angelic music when I do yoga, it seems to help me relax more : )
I do this because I get such lumps and bumps in my muscles so the streching helps alot with the pain...some days I can barly move I get like the Tin-man in the Wizard of OZ... and I need an oil-can for my joints...mosly in the morning.. Lol. That one saying always pops in my head....
The saying of... If you do'nt use it ... You'll lose it !
So on good days I try doing the yoga, and I always try to go for a walk...If you do not do anything else. Keep on walking, I tell myself.
I know not everyone is the same in their pain levels, believe me everyday is different., Sorry you have it.
I wish you the best !
Angels2u :)