Hi Everyone, I've just joined the Cloudy forum and I'm completely new to this kind of thing as I haven't been on a forum before (unless Facebook counts?). It's good to read your stories and I feel less alone by hearing how others are getting on with similar conditions to me.
I have Ankylosing Spondylitis. My symptoms first began when I was in my early 20's, got worse in my mid-late 20's and I was diagnosed when I was 30. I'm 41 now and living with chronic pain everyday. I work full time and try to stay positive and keep going which can be incredibly hard. I'm suffering a really bad flare up at the moment so I'm off to see the Rheumatology Nurse Specialist at the hospital today (on a Saturday!) to hopefully get back on the scary injections (Enbrel) that I've been reluctant to restart after having a break from them!
I have found that the best things for me are hot water bottles on my back and hot baths. I often have a bath as soon as get home from work now and find that helps. BUT I'm not very good at doing the stretches I'm supposed to do!! After a long day at work I just can't seem to remember to fit it in or I'm in so much pain usually that I just want to curl up somewhere cosy and not lay on the floor! I would love to know if others with Ankylosing Spondylitis, or similar conditions, do their stretches or not? And if so how do you manage to fit it in? Thanks x
