Living with RA or as I recently found out, AS is no fun sometimes.
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of RA that causes calcification and fusing of the vertebrae and sacroiliac joints. Looking at the Xrays I only have the beginning stages but for three weeks I have been in pain from inflamation in these joints that are unable to move the way they should.
I went for four straight years and never missed a day of work, and then last school year, I had health issues I couldn't ignore and this year, only in November, I have missed numerous days. To be specific, 7 of the last 15 school days and I will be out all next week trying to get an epidural to stop the low back pain. Then we have a week for Thanksgiving, so hopefully two straight weeks will get me back on my feet.
I am surrounded by supportive friends and coworkers that may not understand the joint issues, but they do understand that I am in pain. They even sent an edible arrangement. Yummy!
I am truly thankful for them as well as a doctor that thoroughly went through my test results and wants me to be pain free and live well. I am going to visit an endocrinologist about my thyroid and hopefully start physical therapy in addition to the epidural.
I am hopeful!
