JoAnn Beldue
Hi my name is JoAnn Beldue I am 38 years old and live in Rochester NY. I was recently diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in June of 2012. I was diagnosed through blood test and Xray. I wasn’t having too many symptoms or if I was they were not too bad and I guess I was used to it if you will. I had 3 cases of Uveitis. The first one was in 1997. I had my second one in the summer of 2010 and the third the summer of 2011. I had blood work done and tested positive for HLA B27. My Dr then ordered an Xray which confirmed the Ankylosing Spondylosis. I saw the Rheumatologist in June and he diagnosed me. He told me I could start Meloxicam to relieve symptoms and help prevent the disease from progressing. I didn’t think I was having symptoms until I learned more about the disease and of course now that I am more aware of it. The past 3 years I have been having a lot of neck and upper back pain. I assumed it was from my occupation, but now wonder. I had an Xray last week of my neck and upper back to see. I have always had some kind of back pain which started when I was around 16 or 17. I also started experiencing hip pain around 2010 which would be off and on again.
I feel so fortunate that I have not had severe symptoms of the disease as of yet and pray for a cure.
New York United States of America
The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis 
Dear JoAnn,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie