I f you have ankylosing spondylitis, you’re probably familiar with the ups and downs that come with the condition. One day you feel fine, and the next day your joints are hurting, it’s difficult to move, or you’re too tired to get out of bed.
Gail Wright, a My Take Ankylosing Spondylitis contributor, says it’s important to remember that flares —periods of time when symptoms worsen — will pass. “It could just be a bad day or a bad hour,” she says. “It’s not a bad forever.” Don Markham, another My Take contributor, agrees, saying that sometimes he just needs to put his game face on and power through a tough moment. “I keep in mind that it’s temporary and I just have to work through it,” he says.
You may need to rest or take it easy on days when your symptoms flare. Gail and Don both say that gentle exercise, like stretching or yoga, help them. And Gail utilizes all of the resources she has — including her doctor. “I ask my doctor, ‘Is this OK? Is this not OK? I’m having a flare — what can we do to get through it?’”
What strategies do you use to get through a tough day? Email us to share your advice.