A.S. Face 0209: Shelly Fortier

Just about one year ago everything went totally out of hand. Ended up in urgent care thinking that I had a bad cold. Well after 3 hours and many blood tests, monitoring, and being away from my strong family I was finally told that I had Vertigo. That lead to MRI’s of the brain (they were afraid I had fluid building in the cerebelum) . Then came the on slot of antibiotics, x rays poking and prodding, you all know the drill. Finally one antibiotic caused my tendons to flare, now we have started the Rhumey visits more x rays, blood work, drugs…. really started feeling like I was going insane! It all had to be in my head. One more physical exam from rhuemy showed that my lower lumbar did not move. (Haven’t been able to touch my toes in years! Never thought anything about it.) One more blood test – checking for a gene- guess what I do not carry the gene!!!!!! So more poking and prodding she finally handed me a pamphlet on spinal arthritis. Had me read through it and take more x rays a week later she gave me the diagnosis. You have Ankylosing Spondylitis and secondary Fibro Myalgia. It has now been 8 months and I have learned to live with it.

No more fighting my body, mentally it has become easier. Thank you for your courage to put faces to this disease. Shelly Fortier

Mother of 3

Wife of 12 years

Oceanside California United States of America

9 Responses to “A.S. Face 0209: Shelly Fortier”

Dear Shelly,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie

Cookie Has A.S. said this on February 1, 2012 at 10:43 pm | Reply
Hi Shelly! I live in Carlsbad! I have AS too!

Ali said this on February 1, 2012 at 11:54 pm | Reply
- Would love to talk with you. Email me at bby4ta@gmail.com. Have been looking to meet other moms locally for some time now.
  
  Shelly said this on February 2, 2012 at 8:43 pm | Reply
Nice picture of all of you– you look like you are taking care of yourself. Stay strong!

Melissa, mother of 2

Melissa Hayes Zhiss said this on February 2, 2012 at 1:52 am | Reply
- Hubby was disapointed he wasn’t in the pic…. Stay strong!
  
  Shelly said this on February 2, 2012 at 8:45 pm | Reply
Hi Shelly 🙂 Thanks for sharing. (hug)

Marti said this on February 2, 2012 at 6:48 am | Reply
- Air hugs! 🙂
  
  Shelly said this on February 2, 2012 at 8:45 pm | Reply
This very stong lady is my daughter and I am very very proud of her and her husband and family… Love U mom

Karen Petersen said this on February 2, 2012 at 6:34 pm | Reply
- Dear Karen,
  Thank you so much for showing your support for your daughter. We all appreciate it.
  Sincerely Cookie
  
  Cookie Has A.S. said this on February 3, 2012 at 9:44 pm | Reply

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