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