- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Interviews
Stephanie's interview
How did all start?
I have suffered from Chronic Pain since as long as I can remember...I remember being a young child and constantly complaining that my legs and hips hurt. I have lived with regular chronic pain for over 10 years.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes, It took around 10 years and countless doctors visits to get a diagnosis...finally a rheumatologist diagnosed me after an MRI and Xray revealed that my sacral joint is fused.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
My Rheumatologist is the best!
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Cannabis! Cannabis topicals especially have CHANGED my life and dropped my inflammation markers from 47 to 11!
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Being only 26 and having such a hard time with mobility.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
My family has been AMAZINGLY supportive, especially my husband of 9 years.
What things have you stopped doing?
I've stopped exercising as much as I used to, I used to love walking all over the place but now sometimes its too much
What do you think about the future?
I am honestly scared for the future....
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
I feel like I am just starting the best years of my life, I hope to get pregnant soon and start a family with my loving husband
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I would work out more and be working in the healthcare field, preferably caring for the elderly.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
My life is a bit chaotic but is full of loving people who all support each other
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
DO NOT be afraid to advocate for your self!! I saw over a dozen doctors before I got my diagnosis.
