A.S. Face 1086: Dale Alford

My name is Dale Alford and I live in Melbourne , Australia.

I was diagnosed 2 years ago.

Long story but they were looking for an answer to the abdominal referred pain I was getting everywhere but my back. I did some research, spoke to a rheumy my GP referred me to who said I couldn’t have AS as I was too flexible. Years of boxing and genetic hyper mobility in my joints might have had something to do with that . I went back to my GP who agreed a blood test wouldn’t hurt . It came back positive so the rheumy agreed to test further. The diagnosis was confirmed 2 days later, so nearly 2 years wasted looking in the wrong places including one unnecessary operation. I am currently taking NSAIDS and Lyrica , but will probably start on TNF inhibitors in December. Good days and bad days, but at the moment I am managing to live a reasonable if somewhat restricted at times life.

Victoria, Australia

3 Responses to “A.S. Face 1086: Dale Alford”

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

Cookie Has A.S. said this on December 5, 2013 at 12:48 am | Reply
Just an update. I have had SIMPONI approved by my rheumy and has my frst injection a week ago. From what i have been told , the relief it will hopefully provide me takes a few months to happen. Fingers crossed until then 🙂

Dale Alford said this on March 17, 2014 at 7:29 pm | Reply
Wow, that was a couple of years ago. Things have changed. Simponi is helping me and i dont suffer the agonising cramps in my core i used to get. However my legs are now playing up, with weakness and fatigue my daily enemy. A diagnosis of Fibromyalgia has explained it, and we are working on keeping me as active and mobile as possible. Still have the what can i still do, not a i cant do anything anymore attitude, which helps me get through life. Family is number 1 🙂

Dale said this on September 10, 2015 at 5:56 pm | Reply

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