Kim
Hello, my name is Kim. I am 38 yrs old, and I was diagnosed a little over a yr ago. I have lived with low back pain for years, but I thought it was related to a bulging disc. Only when I started having extreme pain in all of my joints with severe morning pain and stiffness did I seek treatment. My inflammatory markers have always been negative, but my MRI showed sacroiliitis. I also have a history of crohn’s disease which can be a precursor for spondyloarthropathy. I am a registered nurse, and I work long, physical 12 hr shifts. Before gaining some relief from Enbrel, I was trying to figure out what kind of less physical work I could do, or how I would survive on disability. Thankfully, I am still able to work, though not completely without pain. I continue to lead a relatively normal life, but I have learned to pace myself, and some things that used to be extremely important to me (a spotless house) are now at the bottom of my priorities. I have learned that I can’t continue to push my body or I will be in too much pain to enjoy the really important things…my kids’ ball games, family get togethers, etc. I try to keep a positive outlook, but sometimes, when I am doing a simple, everyday task (in pain) I get frustrated, and whine, and ask, “why can’t I be normal?!” Thank you for bringing awareness to our illness. We still look “not sick” so people don’t understand.
Clarksville, Texas United States of America
The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis 
Dear Kim,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie