Missy Kelly
I was diagnosed with AS 10 yrs ago after years of back pain and have been through back surgery as well as too many injections to count. I am just now progressing where I feel I need to get on a biologic as my pain is now affecting my hips and knees. I have good and bad days like everyone else but have found that stress puts me in major flares. I recently left a extremely stressful job of 18 yrs after my Dr advised me the stress was killing me and have seen lots of improvement on most days. There are days it’s all I can do to get to the edge of the bed to get myself up from my back pain and stiffness but I know if I don’t get up it will only get worse. I hate steroids and all their side effects so try to avoid th am if at all possible. I am noticing difficulty with my deep breathing ability the last year and I really hate that as it is a scary feeling. I wish none of us had to go through this and I just keep smiling and going each day.
Texas, United States of America
The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis 
Dear Missy,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie