A.S. Face 1925: Ashley Marrison
I spent most of my life wondering why I had such excruciating lower back pain. Family would always say ‘oh we all have back problems’, doctor’s would chalk it up to my menses. The pain started when I was around 13/14 years old, and it would visibly swell up, and then lock up. Dealt with it until I hit 28 years old(2017), and poof, my Rheumatologist tested me for HLA B27, I came back positive so she ordered x-rays. Low and behold, it showed damage indicative of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Finally, I had an answer to some of my problems.
Although – it isn’t an answer I wanted. Quite frankly, I was hoping it was normal and I’d get over it. Who knew I’d be fighting such a horrible disease…
Michigan, United States of America
Dear Ashley,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie