A.S. Face 2084: Dan Conway
Found out I had AS at the age of 29. Figured it wasn’t juvenile arthritis of which my previous Dr. diagnosed me with. My diagnosis started with me going to my PCP for a kidney stone. He noticed my spine problems on my x-ray and sent me to a Rheumy. One of my new Drs actually has A.S. and knew very much about it. After some tests, I was started on Remicade and have been on it ever since (13YRS ALMOST). In that time I got married and was blessed with two little girls. Most days are tough but as you know the world doesn’t stop. The things that keep me chugging along are my wife and kids. My friends and work know about my disease and for the most part, understand. I’m able to leave early for my infusions every 6 weeks and it all works out. I’ve been a machinist for 25 years and because of my knowledge of our product and never missing work otherwise they deal with it. I believe being active at work and lifting, bending, stretching since I was 17 has helped to keep the Beast at bay enough to semi-function regularly. On days I have pain I mostly just deal with it the best I can and people can see it and steer clear. Having only missed 3 days of work in 25yrs has helped also. But I also know that will come to an end sooner or later. Life is what you make of it if you want to do things do them while you can regardless of what others think. Because tomorrow you may not be able to…
Dan
Ohio, United States of America
Found out I had AS at the age of 29. Figured it wasn’t juvenile arthritis of which my previous Dr. diagnosed me with. My diagnosis started with me going to my PCP for a kidney stone. He noticed my spine problems on my x-ray and sent me to a Rheumy. One of my new Drs actually has A.S. and knew very much about it. After some tests, I was started on Remicade and have been on it ever since (13YRS ALMOST). In that time I got married and was blessed with two little girls. Most days are tough but as you know the world doesn’t stop. The things that keep me chugging along are my wife and kids. My friends and work know about my disease and for the most part, understand. I’m able to leave early for my infusions every 6 weeks and it all works out. I’ve been a machinist for 25 years and because of my knowledge of our product and never missing work otherwise they deal with it. I believe being active at work and lifting, bending, stretching since I was 17 has helped to keep the Beast at bay enough to semi-function regularly. On days I have pain I mostly just deal with it the best I can and people can see it and steer clear. Having only missed 3 days of work in 25yrs has helped also. But I also know that will come to an end sooner or later. Life is what you make of it if you want to do things do them while you can regardless of what others think. Because tomorrow you may not be able to…
Dan
Ohio, United States of America
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