Real Stories Of Living With AS

But when I was 19 in the junior circuit, my surf career came to a grinding halt. Suddenly, I was experiencing pain that I had never felt before, in my wrist, lower back and my ankles. I went from surfing every day to being bed ridden with no explanation. Being a very fit guy, I was completely blindsided. Everything I loved had been taken away from me and I couldn’t do much at all.

I was lucky that the chiropractor I went to see for the back pain was well informed and suggested I see a rheumatologist straight away and I was diagnosed with AS. At the time, I was told it was possible I might not be able to surf professionally again and my whole world came crashing down.

After being diagnosed, you feel like your whole life is changing. I am thankful that at the time, even though I was scared and there were so many unknowns, I kept a motivated mindset and didn’t let things deter me from asking for more and getting back to the things that I loved.

I want other Australians living with AS to know that persistence and positivity is key. I don’t think I would have been able to achieve what I have if I didn’t back myself and ask my doctors to do whatever they can to help me live as normal a life as possible.

All experiences, testimonial and outcomes discussed are those of Mitch and are not indicative of all patients’ experiences

I saw a doctor who said it was a torn tendon and told me to rest. However, a couple of months passed and my symptoms were getting worse. I was living with limited movement and random bursts of debilitating pain. I felt trapped in an unfamiliar body.

I stopped exercising and became too scared to do any major movements, for fear that I would set off my symptoms. There were days where my AS meant I couldn’t go out and my social life really suffered which took a huge toll on my mental health.

I went from appointment to appointment, had countless x rays and even kept a journal to record my pain. I remember finally thinking ‘enough is enough’ and I backed myself to find answers. I got another opinion from a sports injury specialist who ruled out anything sports related. Instead, he referred me for a blood test and later, to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with AS.

With the support of my healthcare professionals, a treatment regimen and management plan, I was slowly able to get my AS under control. But this didn’t come easy, I spent two years learning how to trust and love my body again.

I turned to yoga and pilates, and later found a love in aerial and silk classes which helped me to regain my confidence and build my strength at a pace I controlled.

I am thankful to have found passions that have empowered me to be able to reset my life and rediscover myself. To know that I’m living with a spine condition but am still capable of embracing challenges and pushing myself every day. I want others to know that there is life after being diagnosed with AS – it doesn’t need to define you and it shouldn’t hold you back.

All experiences, testimonial and outcomes discussed are those of Sasha and are not indicative of all patients’ experiences