A.S. Face 2076: Ashley Clark
I am 40 and diagnosed with AS at 38. For years I knew that something was not “right”. After a stint in the hospital, a zillion blood tests and an MRI I was diagnosed. It has been a very tough journey as fusion of my SI joints had already occured and I have fibromyalgia that also causes debilitating pain. Right after I was diagnosed my husband had a knee replacement and had complications which resulted in another surgery and daily infusions. Shortly after that ordeal my oldest son at 17 had a stroke on Halloween 2017. Needless to say it has been difficult to focus on me and getting stronger. I have tried Humira, Enbrel and Xelganz with zero relief so feel like the pain is something I must learn to cope with. I work full time in a demanding sales job but I think I will have to eventually resign because the stress aggravates my symptoms. I used to be an avid runner and embraced life going 150%. Now if I get 50% go I feel that is a win. My hope is for awareness and for walls to be broken down so others understand the severity of this disease.
Thank you for being a face for AS!
Ashley Clark
I am 40 and diagnosed with AS at 38. For years I knew that something was not “right”. After a stint in the hospital, a zillion blood tests and an MRI I was diagnosed. It has been a very tough journey as fusion of my SI joints had already occured and I have fibromyalgia that also causes debilitating pain. Right after I was diagnosed my husband had a knee replacement and had complications which resulted in another surgery and daily infusions. Shortly after that ordeal my oldest son at 17 had a stroke on Halloween 2017. Needless to say it has been difficult to focus on me and getting stronger. I have tried Humira, Enbrel and Xelganz with zero relief so feel like the pain is something I must learn to cope with. I work full time in a demanding sales job but I think I will have to eventually resign because the stress aggravates my symptoms. I used to be an avid runner and embraced life going 150%. Now if I get 50% go I feel that is a win. My hope is for awareness and for walls to be broken down so others understand the severity of this disease.
Thank you for being a face for AS!
Ashley Clark
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