A.S. Face 1763: Mindy

face-1763

I was diagnosed last year, at the age of 46. I have had back problems for half of my life. Two years ago I had to start sleeping in a recliner due to not tolerating sleeping flat anymore. Then a year ago my body started swelling. Began with my right 3rd finger, then right 2nd toe. I thought I had gout. Seemed I had all of the symptoms, until my entire right hand started to swell and the joints were extremely painful, both feet were swollen and I could barely tolerate walking from the chair to the bathroom, and the left hand started to swell. My family doctor did some blood work and I was ANA+. He referred me to a rheumatologist, which took a few months to get into. The rheumatologist performed 14 more blood tests. HLA B27+. I was placed on several medications as he tried to find what would work best for me. I am down to three medications now. Cymbalta, Celebrex and Enbrel. I have a lot more good days than bad now! I am so very thankful I didn’t just give up, like I truly felt like many times. This disease is definitely not for the faint of heart! I have found a lot of strength and support by talking with other AS “brothers and sisters”. So many wonderful ideas to try, which I did try several until I really found what worked best for me.

Michigan, United States of America

3 Responses to “A.S. Face 1763: Mindy”

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

Cookie Has A.S. said this on February 25, 2017 at 7:47 pm | Reply
Thank you Mindy! Just diagnosed 4 weeks ago but I can relate to a lot of what you are oing through. My recliner is my bed. I am 55,

Sandi said this on February 25, 2017 at 10:15 pm | Reply
I also relate to what you say but I was diagnosed at 25 (I’m 29 now), the recliner is my best friend lol.
I know how much this sucks but keep going on, this is a great community and we are always here to help!! Keep going AS sister!! 💖💖

Cynara said this on March 2, 2017 at 2:41 pm | Reply

Our Stories

© Cookie Hopper and The Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis , 2011. There is an implied agreement and permission granted to Cookie Hopper and the Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis that the participants photo/story will be used only in order to raise awareness for Ankylosing Spondylitis. There will be no monetary value gained by either party. The Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis agrees to uphold the integrity and honor of each individual’s story when doing projects to raise awareness, and will be a mutual agreement of both parties involved. Once a photo & bio are submitted to Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis ( Cookie Hopper) , heretofore known as "Faces," the individual submitting to Faces gives permission for Faces or its representatives or organizations coordinating with or whose services are retained by Faces or the invisible illness or Ankylosing Spondylitis community to use the image/likeness, name, & your bio or portions of bio as written, from the moment of submission, for as long as Faces exists as a website and/or organization. All submissions become the property of Faces, and upon submitting, participants grant full rights to the submitted images & bios to Faces, and the right to use & name in connection to activities of Faces, from now into eternity, in all forms of media, including new media, and agree that they are the property of Faces from submission until dissolution of the organization." Once included the removal will not be possible due to being number, but every possible action will be made to change any information if you feel the need for it to be. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without expressed and written permission from this blog’s author and writer of the individual story is strictly prohibited and legal recourse may be taken in the event of this happening. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Cookie Hopper] [individual author of the story] [The Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. COPYRIGHT and TRADEMARK NOTICE ©2012. There are underlying copyright interests in the various works of authorship associated with this the faces of ankylosing spondylitis. These copyright and trademark interests may not be reproduced and redistributed, with or without alteration in whole or in part, unless prior written permission provided by Cookie Hopper of Alvin, Texas US 77511, along with the individual author of the story. Trademark name “The Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis” and " I Am The Face Of Ankylosing Spondylitis" name has been approved and acquired by Cookie Hopper February 10, 2012. Others wishing to use this name or logo are hereby requested to contact the owner Cookie Hopper to discuss their interest before doing so. The Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis Trademark number is 40671 The stories submitted may not be used without the original author’s permission, along with Cookie Hopper, which you may acquire by submitting a request to Cookiehasas@aol.com. The phrase I am the face of ankylosing spondylitis and the phrase the faces of ankylosing spondylitis are protected under the copy right and trademark laws. By submitting your photo & bio to Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis (Cookie Hopper) you enter into a legal and binding agreement on both parties side. Cookie Hopper agrees there will be no selling of the stories or monetary value gained. Cookie Hopper agrees to uphold the integrity and honor of each individual’s story when doing projects to raise awareness, and will be a mutual agreement of both parties involved. This site is protected under the Trademark and Copy right laws. 40671 as of January 2012.

%d bloggers like this:

The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis