A.S. Face 0236: Paula Geerinck
My name is Paula Geerinck, I am Irish, 48 years old and live in the Republic of Ireland. I have just joined your page, Faces of Ankylosing Spondilitis. I was diagnosed in September of 2010 after a long time chasing this disease. I was with three different Rheumatologists, I had pain, stiffness, fatigue and depression, I was pumped with all kinds of different pills, methotrexate, steroids, and nothing worked. I suffered on for the best part of 3 years, (I was also assumed to be a hypochondriac) until I found the right consultant rheumatologist who diagnosed me after two visits.. it was actually a relief to know I wasn’t imagining the aches and pains and all the rest that goes with it. I am HLAB27 Positive, there is a history of arthritis in my family, my sister has Scoiratic arthritis. I spent 10 weeks from May to August 2011 in a Psychiatric Unit for stress, anxiety and depression which is part and parcel of this disease. A lot of people look at me and say oh you look so well but my answer to that always is you can’t judge a book by the cover. They don’t realise how debilitating AS is. I also have degenerative disc disorder. My Rheumatologist has put me on Enbrel and it has greatly improved my life, I am currently keeping active but find that now even with swimming, non weight-bearing as advised, the stiffness and pains have come back. I discussed this with my consultant also in December who gave me a steroid injection, as with the holiday season he didn’t want to put me on new drug, but it seems when I see him next month that is the way I’m going to have to go. I would also like to add to this that I have a thyroid condition, was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2005, (overactive) treated for nine months with neomercazole which didn’t work, so had to have a subtotal thyroidectomy nine months later, and am on Thyroxine 150mcg once per day, also hypertension (high blood pressure). I am out sick from work for the past 9 months although I only worked part-time, 3 days per week, but now don’t know if I am able to return to the workplace, as my job (Customer Services Advisor) involves a lot of moving and standing. It’s a really difficult call. I really feel all of this poor physical health contributed to my depression and accepting the diagnosis of AS, even though it was a relief. I am so glad I found and joined your page.
I am so glad you and the page Faces of AS is trying to raise awareness of this horrible disease/disorder.
Ireland
The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis 
Dear Paula,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I am glad that you found us too, and together we will bring the “truth” of Ankylosing Spondylitis out.
Sincerely Cookie
I am so happy you are being ‘heard’.
Keep your voice strong. Thank you for your story.
Thank you Joyce.. I will keep my voice and hoepfully myself strong, some days are good, some days are bad…it can be so difficult to get going sometimes but I wont give up or give in. Your AS friend Paula
Thanks for sharing and I hope you find therapy (medication and lifestyle) to make you feel better. I was also viewed as a hypochondriac for about 10 years, so I know how that feels. Stay strong!
Thank you Melissa. I really had to ‘chase’ this disease, as you have seen from my story, three different rheumatologists and I was lucky in the end to get the right one, although AS is horrible atl least now I know what im dealing with and Im not a hypochondriac. Your AS friend Paula
Paula, thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry that you have to live with AS. It is a wretched disease but I am so glad that you now know that you aren’t a hypochondriac! I went through the same thought process. Depression comes with this thing so know that you are not alone. I try my best to keep moving which seems to be key. Yesterday I didn’t get out of the house at all and feel so much worse so I am going to force myself to take a walk today. It usually helps, no matter how painful. Lifts the spirits too. I live in the Seattle area so it is usually raining too which I can’t use as an excuse. I put on my coat, hat, gloves and boots and go. I hope that you can do the same and know that there are lots of us here walking the walk with you. Stay strong and beautiful! Your AS friend, Claudia
Thank you claudia..it really is so good to know I am not alone and can come here and share the good and the bad. I woke up this morning planning to go for a swim, but just could not get myself out of bed, so I went with it and am going easy on myself today, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, it really is one day at a time with this wretched disease. I live in the west of Ireland so of course we have a lot of rain and dampness which does’nt help the condition at all. Stay strong.. your AS friend Paula