Minnesota, United States of America
Showing posts with label 1: Men. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1: Men. Show all posts
Monday, November 6, 2023
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Friday, July 8, 2022
A.S. Face 2244: Brandon
Hello my Name is Brandon, I am 32 years old and was diagnosed with Ankylosing spondylitis about 3 years ago after having unexplained pain and other symptoms since my early 20s. I also had a lot of pain in my hands and fingers I can remember as a young child. I’m currently on my 2nd round of Humira after trying a different biologic inflectra for awhile with less success. It helps take the edge off but still struggle with my pain especially in my neck and shoulders. I am a chef, I love to cook and to spend time with my family and friends. There are many tough days but I try to focus on the good and things that I am grateful for to help me get through the tough times. I can’t thank my family enough for all of the support and help the give me, and also to all of you for your courage and strength to fight each and every day. Try to smile and focus on the things that bring you joy. I know how hard it can be. But keep fighting! You got this! 🙂 love you all AS warriors!
Friday, June 3, 2022
Sunday, May 29, 2022
A.S. Face 2215: John Potter
November 30, 1949 - February 8, 2014
This is my father, John Potter. He passed away in 2014 from complications from his medications at the age of 64.
He had suffered from back pain for years, before getting the diagnosis of AS in his 30s. By then, he was almost completely fused. He still managed to work as an electrical engineer and field service rep up until he broke his back at work. He had surgery, and managed to recover enough to walk. A few years later, he broke his neck in a freak accident. Once again, he recovered enough to walk with his walker.
He loved my mother very much. They were married 42 years. He was supportive of my brothers and I. I am the only one who developed AS, and he helped support me in the initial years after my diagnosis. He also loved his grandsons. Both of my boys were premature, and he would babysit them with my mom when they were babies, and I had to go back to work.
Despite all of his pain and struggles, he was the ROCK of our family, and is missed.
This photo is from a trip to Niagara Falls. It was a trip he had always wanted to go on, and we did it.
Robin Peterson
Michigan, United States of America
Saturday, May 28, 2022
A.S. Face 2214: Gary
Hello to the group and fellow AS friends. I am Gary and I live in Virginia in the states. I am currently 68 years old and was diagnosed with AS when I was 18. I was lucky to be diagnosed as young as I was by a relatively young, right out of med school internet.
Throughout my life I have been able to hold down an office job as Payroll Head for a little over 40 years. I was so fortunate to have caring bosses who worked with me during my very low times. Throughout those years I missed a lot of work days with my flares and a few surgeries. I retired 4 years ago and have been trying to keep as active as I can.
My neck, left ankle, right wrist and the bottom part of my spine are fused either naturally or surgically.
starting when I was 18 I was on NSAIDS until 2011 when I went into kidney failure. At that point I found I was stage 3A CKD. At that point I was taken off all NSAIDS and placed in biological. I was also put on different pain pills which just took the edge off of the pain. I am currently on Enbrel and Hydrocodone along with a muscle relaxer, Flexeril at night.
Just in the last two years I have started using canes and walkers to get around. I must say that took a lot to put my pride aside and use what I have to just to get around and stay active as I can be.
I was married for 29 of those years but sad to say my ex could no longer handle the stress of my AS on her. I have two wonderful sons and Daughters in law who are very supportive. I also have been blessed with 4 grandchildren.
Thanks to all the AS support groups on Facebook for their help and support!
Virginia, United States of America
Thursday, May 26, 2022
A.S. Face 2209: Ian Tait
I’m Ian Tait, I’m 54 and I live in the Orkney Islands in the far north of Scotland.
I was diagnosed with AS when I was 21. I worked in the electricity industry as a metering electrician with SSE for 24 years. In 2009 my neck fusion had become so bad that my driving license was suspended. SSE treated me very badly. I was told to sit in a small office and “find something to do” until they decided what to do with me. I sat in that room for 10 months before I finally broke down and sought legal advice. Within 24 hours I was pensioned off on a medical pension.
3 years earlier I had taken over our family farm from my parents. I was struggling to manage the farm and had a large overdraft to service. It was a dark time for me.
Humira changed my life. I’ve taken it since 2010 and now run not one but 4 farms alongside my daughter and her partner.
In 2016 my wife of 23 years left. We spent 3 years in court where she tried and almost succeeded in taking the farm from me . I didn’t see my then teenage children for 3 years during this time and my then wife repeatedly told the court that she knew nothing about me having AS.
By the end of the court proceedings she was telling the court how my illness had ruined her life!
I kept the farm and the children now live with me. It was a terrible time for us all but I’m now in reasonably good health. I work a part time job as well as the farms.
Never give up!
Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom
Thursday, June 27, 2019
A.S. Face 2197: Johnny
A.S. Face 2197: Johnny
My name is Brandi, and I wanted to share my father’s story.
My name is Brandi, and I wanted to share my father’s story.
This is my dad, Johnny. His symptoms came on suddenly when he was 17 years old. He was already a husband and father by that time (crazy, but true). It would be more than 10 years and countless doctors before he was diagnosed at 28. He worked construction and there were many injuries along the way. Injuries worsened by the AS. He had his first joint replacement before his 40th birthday. Many more followed. He struggled with the pain and the need to provide for his family. He turned to illegal drugs that allowed him to do that. He eventually got clean and he lived with the daily, constant pain. As if that wasn’t enough, he carried guilt after my own diagnosis when I was 16.
He passed suddenly in January 2016 at 48 years old. He was a husband of 32 years, a father of 2, and grandfather of 6 (his pride and joy, by the way). He had accepted Jesus as his Savior years earlier so I KNOW that today he’s free from that bondage of pain.
Mississippi, United States of America
September 2, 1967 - January 7, 2016
September 2, 1967 - January 7, 2016
Thursday, June 20, 2019
A.S. Face 2183: Ryan Maxwell
A.S. Face 2183: Ryan Maxwell
My name is Ryan, I am from Warrington England. I am 43 years old and was diagnosed with AS in 2009.
England, United Kingdom
My name is Ryan, I am from Warrington England. I am 43 years old and was diagnosed with AS in 2009.
England, United Kingdom
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
A.S. Face 2179: Fred
A.S. Face 2179: Fred
My name is Melissa and this is my Grandpa Fred. This picture was taken on his last Father’s Day here on earth. In this picture he had zero quality of life left. You see, since he was in high school his right hip had been fused, this was before AS was even a thing yet. More and more fusion occurred over the years from his neck to his spine and his ribs. On December 8, 2016 he fell in his home causing him to land flat on his back. The doctors said that his fusions in his spine basically shattered and were like shrapnel shot into his organs. The doctors were able to save his life, however, they had to put a rod all the way from his neck through his entire spine. This caused him to literally be fused from the top of his head to his right knee. No more turning his head, no more looking up at the sky, no more searching for the remote, what little quality of life he had was gone. During this entire struggle with my grandpa, what my family did not know was that I had developed Uveitis one day while driving home from work. That led to many specialist appointments, a new rheumatologist, MRI’s, a gastroenterologist, a colonoscopy, etc. I was diagnosed with Spondyloarthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn’s Disease and Fibromyalgia all within a couple months time. I promised myself that my grandpa would never know that I was diagnosed with AS, it would have broken his heart to know that I was living with his monster. He would have blamed himself and i wouldn’t do that to him. I kept all of this a secret from that entire side of my family until after my grandpa passed away less than a year after his fall. I was raised by my grandparents, talking about their deaths is so hard for me. But when I decided to share “My Face of AS,” I decided I could share two and tell two stories instead of one.
My name is Melissa and this is my Grandpa Fred. This picture was taken on his last Father’s Day here on earth. In this picture he had zero quality of life left. You see, since he was in high school his right hip had been fused, this was before AS was even a thing yet. More and more fusion occurred over the years from his neck to his spine and his ribs. On December 8, 2016 he fell in his home causing him to land flat on his back. The doctors said that his fusions in his spine basically shattered and were like shrapnel shot into his organs. The doctors were able to save his life, however, they had to put a rod all the way from his neck through his entire spine. This caused him to literally be fused from the top of his head to his right knee. No more turning his head, no more looking up at the sky, no more searching for the remote, what little quality of life he had was gone. During this entire struggle with my grandpa, what my family did not know was that I had developed Uveitis one day while driving home from work. That led to many specialist appointments, a new rheumatologist, MRI’s, a gastroenterologist, a colonoscopy, etc. I was diagnosed with Spondyloarthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn’s Disease and Fibromyalgia all within a couple months time. I promised myself that my grandpa would never know that I was diagnosed with AS, it would have broken his heart to know that I was living with his monster. He would have blamed himself and i wouldn’t do that to him. I kept all of this a secret from that entire side of my family until after my grandpa passed away less than a year after his fall. I was raised by my grandparents, talking about their deaths is so hard for me. But when I decided to share “My Face of AS,” I decided I could share two and tell two stories instead of one.
A.S. Face 2177: Patrick O’Neill
A.S. Face 2177: Patrick O’Neill
Hey there I’m Patrick and i have AS. I was one of the lucky ones that got diagnosed in less than a year. I have been fighting AS since October of 2012 and I’m still fighting. When the pain first came I was told it was sciatica. Then it started to get worse I was unable to walk, when I coughed pain would shoot up and down my spine. It was the darkest days of my life. But I pushed through it like a champ. I was seeing my primary care at the time. He was doing every test out there till we got to the MRI of my lower back and hips. I still remember the day I got the call as I walking into work. I remember thinking my life was over the second I got off the phone. Needless to say I never made it into work that day since I was so distraught. Within a week I saw my first rheumatologist in Nashville TN at Vanderbilt. But within 2 months she shut down her practice and moved out of state. I was devastated but determined to fight to my last breath. I found a new doctor at ST. Thomas. Dr. Lyons in my mind is my lifesaver. Even though I have tried every biologic, I take humira ATM and barely take pain pills, I keep fighting AS every day. But with the use of modern medicine comes the side effects. On December 19th 2018 I was diagnosed with AVN of my right hip from steroid use. Which meant the end of my steroid use to fight AS. Within 3 weeks I had a core decompression on the hip. This was my second surgery of the year and I knew I had to keep fighting. Luckily the core decompression put the AVN on hold and I’m now comfortably walking around with hardly any pain. 6 months later I’m active and will not let anything bring me down. The biggest thing about this disease is you can not do it alone. Having the support will make sure you keep fighting AS.
Hey there I’m Patrick and i have AS. I was one of the lucky ones that got diagnosed in less than a year. I have been fighting AS since October of 2012 and I’m still fighting. When the pain first came I was told it was sciatica. Then it started to get worse I was unable to walk, when I coughed pain would shoot up and down my spine. It was the darkest days of my life. But I pushed through it like a champ. I was seeing my primary care at the time. He was doing every test out there till we got to the MRI of my lower back and hips. I still remember the day I got the call as I walking into work. I remember thinking my life was over the second I got off the phone. Needless to say I never made it into work that day since I was so distraught. Within a week I saw my first rheumatologist in Nashville TN at Vanderbilt. But within 2 months she shut down her practice and moved out of state. I was devastated but determined to fight to my last breath. I found a new doctor at ST. Thomas. Dr. Lyons in my mind is my lifesaver. Even though I have tried every biologic, I take humira ATM and barely take pain pills, I keep fighting AS every day. But with the use of modern medicine comes the side effects. On December 19th 2018 I was diagnosed with AVN of my right hip from steroid use. Which meant the end of my steroid use to fight AS. Within 3 weeks I had a core decompression on the hip. This was my second surgery of the year and I knew I had to keep fighting. Luckily the core decompression put the AVN on hold and I’m now comfortably walking around with hardly any pain. 6 months later I’m active and will not let anything bring me down. The biggest thing about this disease is you can not do it alone. Having the support will make sure you keep fighting AS.
A.S. Face 2171: David Wike
A.S. Face 2171: David Wike
Hello my name is Kristen Mckeage and this is my daddy David Wike. We both have been diagnosed with AS. Me in 2012 and my dad in the late 80’s. HOWEVER, I am no match for the example my dad shows of endurance and strength. He has had AS for as long as I can remember and never sat out from coaching me and my brother in sports growing up and now
Never says no to his grandkids no matter how physically tiring they may be. He is a true AS hero and an amazing father.
Hello my name is Kristen Mckeage and this is my daddy David Wike. We both have been diagnosed with AS. Me in 2012 and my dad in the late 80’s. HOWEVER, I am no match for the example my dad shows of endurance and strength. He has had AS for as long as I can remember and never sat out from coaching me and my brother in sports growing up and now
Never says no to his grandkids no matter how physically tiring they may be. He is a true AS hero and an amazing father.
Monday, June 17, 2019
A.S. Face: 2164 John Clouatre
A.S. Face: 2164 John Clouatre
Hello, I wanted to add a face for you and share a little of my story with you to help bring more awareness to the world about this horrible, life stealing, excruciating painful disease. It took me 4 years, 9 drs, too many test and procedures to list or even count, job lost along with everything else (literally – home, cars, insurance, most of my family & friends and almost my life), accused of only being a drug seeking addict, told I was too young to have all these issues and that my tests didn’t show anything bad enough to cause the problems or pain to be as bad as I was making it out to be so it had to be just mostly in my head, all of this plus more before I could even get a diagnosis. Finally received my diagnosis from 1 blood test and about 10-12 questions by a rheumatologist, in less than 10mins!!! That is just the first & one part of my story, I am John Clouatre, age 47, living in the state of Georgia in the USA & have been living with AS for approximately 16-17 yrs now.
Hello, I wanted to add a face for you and share a little of my story with you to help bring more awareness to the world about this horrible, life stealing, excruciating painful disease. It took me 4 years, 9 drs, too many test and procedures to list or even count, job lost along with everything else (literally – home, cars, insurance, most of my family & friends and almost my life), accused of only being a drug seeking addict, told I was too young to have all these issues and that my tests didn’t show anything bad enough to cause the problems or pain to be as bad as I was making it out to be so it had to be just mostly in my head, all of this plus more before I could even get a diagnosis. Finally received my diagnosis from 1 blood test and about 10-12 questions by a rheumatologist, in less than 10mins!!! That is just the first & one part of my story, I am John Clouatre, age 47, living in the state of Georgia in the USA & have been living with AS for approximately 16-17 yrs now.
Georgia, United States of America
Friday, May 24, 2019
A.S. Face 2161: Steve
A.S. Face 2161: Steve
My names is Steve, I’m 58, and I live on the South Coast of England. I’ve had AS 35 years now. I am a Builder, and I firmly believe because my job is very Physical, that the Physical side has helped with my Mobility. Like all of us, I do have bad days, but “Pop” a med pill, and Solder on. The little girl in the picture is my Surprise daughter when i was 50.
She is my Sun Light..
England, United Kingdom
My names is Steve, I’m 58, and I live on the South Coast of England. I’ve had AS 35 years now. I am a Builder, and I firmly believe because my job is very Physical, that the Physical side has helped with my Mobility. Like all of us, I do have bad days, but “Pop” a med pill, and Solder on. The little girl in the picture is my Surprise daughter when i was 50.
She is my Sun Light..
England, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 23, 2019
A. S. Face 2159: Scott Brauer
A. S. Face 2159: Scott Brauer
My name is Scott Brauer, I have had symptoms and most likely AS since my late teens. I just did not have the medical team to put it all together.
I am from upstate New York , and I’m blessed to be married to my best friend, high school sweetheart, and caregiver Pam. I’ve led a fairly robust life and I’m a very busy hard worker. I work as a school teacher and most days can still fake it till I make it. I am also a Christian youth pastor and a fairly effective, fisherman and fisher of men.
A diagnosis finally came about 2 years ago after being tested for everything from a MS to Lupus to WOW that’s weird. I chalked up many of my injuries and weaknesses up to just simply working too hard and being hard on my body. I pray each day for my brothers and sisters that suffer from the BS that AS is.
I would say my biggest struggle is accepting the me that in my older years can no longer push past the pain to do what God needs me to do, to His honor and on His behalf.
Again please hear that I pray for a less pain day for all of you each night…peace to all my peeps!
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
A.S. Face 2156: Alexandre
A.S. Face 2156: Alexandre
Celle-ci a seulement été diagnostiquée en juillet 2017 après de longs mois d’attente.
Aujourd’hui, je suis étudiant analyste programmeur en dernière année. Les études sont très difficiles à associer avec les douleurs, mais j’y arrive comme je peux.
Je fais partie d’une association de patient belge, « Arthrites ». Celle-ci m’aide beaucoup. Les membres sont vraiment très accueillant et à l’écoute des autres membres qui ont besoin.
Mon souhait pour le futur serait de trouver des traitements encore plus efficaces que ceux existants et que les douleurs soient moins intenses pour nous tous.
Avec amitié,
Alexandre
I have an ankylosing spondylitis for july 2017.
I am Alexandre, I am 21 years old and I have ankylosing spondylitis since I was 16 years old. It was only diagnosed in July 2017 after long months of waiting.
Today, I am a student analyst programmer in the last year. Studies are very difficult to associate with pain, but I get there as I can.
I am part of a Belgian patient association, “Arthrites”. This one helps me a lot. The members are really very welcoming and attentive to other members who need.
My wish for the future would be to find treatments that are even more effective than existing ones and that the pain is less intense for all of us.
With friendship,
Alexander
Celle-ci a seulement été diagnostiquée en juillet 2017 après de longs mois d’attente.
Aujourd’hui, je suis étudiant analyste programmeur en dernière année. Les études sont très difficiles à associer avec les douleurs, mais j’y arrive comme je peux.
Je fais partie d’une association de patient belge, « Arthrites ». Celle-ci m’aide beaucoup. Les membres sont vraiment très accueillant et à l’écoute des autres membres qui ont besoin.
Mon souhait pour le futur serait de trouver des traitements encore plus efficaces que ceux existants et que les douleurs soient moins intenses pour nous tous.
Avec amitié,
Alexandre
I have an ankylosing spondylitis for july 2017.
I am Alexandre, I am 21 years old and I have ankylosing spondylitis since I was 16 years old. It was only diagnosed in July 2017 after long months of waiting.
Today, I am a student analyst programmer in the last year. Studies are very difficult to associate with pain, but I get there as I can.
I am part of a Belgian patient association, “Arthrites”. This one helps me a lot. The members are really very welcoming and attentive to other members who need.
My wish for the future would be to find treatments that are even more effective than existing ones and that the pain is less intense for all of us.
With friendship,
Alexander
Sunday, May 12, 2019
A.S. Face 2154: Mark Utecht
A.S. Face 2154: Mark Utecht
My name is Mark Utecht and I have been diagnosed with AS for 30 years. Despite this illness, I have been racing cars since before I was diagnosed. Highlights in my racing career are the Pikes Peak Hillclimb and racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I also enjoy other outdoor activities and won’t let AS keep me from them. Stay strong and positive and don’t let this disease win!
Mark
My name is Mark Utecht and I have been diagnosed with AS for 30 years. Despite this illness, I have been racing cars since before I was diagnosed. Highlights in my racing career are the Pikes Peak Hillclimb and racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I also enjoy other outdoor activities and won’t let AS keep me from them. Stay strong and positive and don’t let this disease win!
Mark
Sunday, April 28, 2019
A.S. Face 2141: Mabricio
A.S. Face 2141: Mabricio
This is a face of AS he was diagnosed at age 9 when he woke up one Monday morning and could not walk! It started out with him limping around on one foot the week before. He never said anything to me about hurting just figured he did something because he is a very active boy. By the end of the week it was the other foot. So decided that we would see how the weekend went with him. Never really slowed him down he was still outside playing with his friends. Monday morning came and went to get him up for school he was in so much pain he could not walk. We went to our primary care physician and he did tons of tests and decided it was possibly some sort of arthritis so he called up a specialist and he was put on steroids and anti inflammatories. We were given an appointment for 2 weeks later with a JA doctor 5 hours away. Mabricio went to his appointment in a wheelchair because it hurt to bad to walk! We spent all day there doing X-rays and a second mri. The JA doctor diagnosed him with AS and was put on methotrexate and Naproxen plus folic acid. He returned to school in a wheelchair for almost 2 months before it didn’t hurt so much to walk. He was not a happy camper being in a wheelchair at school because he could not participate in sports and playing with his friends at recess. Finally he started to feel less pain and it didn’t hurt as much to walk. In 5th grade is teacher would email me that Mabricio was walking on tiptoes after gym class because his heels hurt to bad to walk normally. So we did another mri and made an emergency trip to the specialist. He was put on Humira and a higher dose of naproxen. Now over two years later he has a methotrexate shot once a week a Humira shot every two weeks along with naproxen twice a day and folic acid every day. He is still very active and has to be told to sit out of gym because he has heel pain after running. He hates to sit out
This is a face of AS he was diagnosed at age 9 when he woke up one Monday morning and could not walk! It started out with him limping around on one foot the week before. He never said anything to me about hurting just figured he did something because he is a very active boy. By the end of the week it was the other foot. So decided that we would see how the weekend went with him. Never really slowed him down he was still outside playing with his friends. Monday morning came and went to get him up for school he was in so much pain he could not walk. We went to our primary care physician and he did tons of tests and decided it was possibly some sort of arthritis so he called up a specialist and he was put on steroids and anti inflammatories. We were given an appointment for 2 weeks later with a JA doctor 5 hours away. Mabricio went to his appointment in a wheelchair because it hurt to bad to walk! We spent all day there doing X-rays and a second mri. The JA doctor diagnosed him with AS and was put on methotrexate and Naproxen plus folic acid. He returned to school in a wheelchair for almost 2 months before it didn’t hurt so much to walk. He was not a happy camper being in a wheelchair at school because he could not participate in sports and playing with his friends at recess. Finally he started to feel less pain and it didn’t hurt as much to walk. In 5th grade is teacher would email me that Mabricio was walking on tiptoes after gym class because his heels hurt to bad to walk normally. So we did another mri and made an emergency trip to the specialist. He was put on Humira and a higher dose of naproxen. Now over two years later he has a methotrexate shot once a week a Humira shot every two weeks along with naproxen twice a day and folic acid every day. He is still very active and has to be told to sit out of gym because he has heel pain after running. He hates to sit out
A.S. Face 2138: Terji Beder
A.S. Face 2138: Terji Beder
After being diagnosed with AS in January 2017 it took me 23 months to experience my first moment without pain. It only lasted for about four hours and then the pain took off again.
I think it is very important to spread awareness of AS so that people get a better understanding of what the situation is with us AS sufferers. I am therefore always trying to be as open as possible regarding my condition.
Even though I live with this pain every day I find it impossible to explain to people how I feel. I somehow can’t express what I’m feeling in my own words. So instead I draw and write poetry to express what mere words can’t grasp which also serves as self-therapy channeling my madness.
On April 15th we saw the burning of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. While watching this tragedy on television these few words hit me which might be relatable of some of you readers. I hope you enjoy the poem.
All the best, Terji Beder, the Faroe Islands
If you are curious about my pretty dark drawings hit me up on Instagram at terjibeder
After being diagnosed with AS in January 2017 it took me 23 months to experience my first moment without pain. It only lasted for about four hours and then the pain took off again.
I think it is very important to spread awareness of AS so that people get a better understanding of what the situation is with us AS sufferers. I am therefore always trying to be as open as possible regarding my condition.
Even though I live with this pain every day I find it impossible to explain to people how I feel. I somehow can’t express what I’m feeling in my own words. So instead I draw and write poetry to express what mere words can’t grasp which also serves as self-therapy channeling my madness.
On April 15th we saw the burning of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. While watching this tragedy on television these few words hit me which might be relatable of some of you readers. I hope you enjoy the poem.
All the best, Terji Beder, the Faroe Islands
If you are curious about my pretty dark drawings hit me up on Instagram at terjibeder
Saturday, April 27, 2019
A.S. Face 2137: Brian
A.S. Face 2137: Brian
Hi I’m Brian 44 diagnosed at age 33
Always had pain just figured it was growing pains
Living life before video games
Life got bad found awesome chiropractor who turned me to the right drs got my blood checked and been
Fighting since
Hi I’m Brian 44 diagnosed at age 33
Always had pain just figured it was growing pains
Living life before video games
Life got bad found awesome chiropractor who turned me to the right drs got my blood checked and been
Fighting since
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