When we think of arthritis, we usually think of it as an old person’s disease. We remember our grandparents complaining about their joints during the rain and think of it as something that we will inevitably experience as we age.
My experience with arthritis has been very different. I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in my thirties. I was a busy young mom with two small girls. I was active. I was healthy. I was doing everything right. Unfortunately, my body was not cooperating.
Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune form of arthritis, and it causes the immune system to attack the joints in the spine, resulting in extreme stiffness and pain. In some cases, the spine actually fuses together. It is extremely painful and can be completely incapacitating.
Unfortunately, I am not alone in this struggle. It is estimated that 150,000 to 300,000 Canadians have AS and, like me, many of these people develop the disease when they are young. The majority actually experience on-set of symptoms while between the ages of 15 and 30, and diagnosis can take close to 10 years. In hindsight, I was probably experiencing symptoms of the illness in my teens and early twenties. I had seen doctors about back pain and stiff joints but, because of my age and the fact that I was overly active, it was dismissed as growing pains or just wear and tear. After all, young people don’t get arthritis, right?
I have found a way to control my AS through a combination of medication, nutrition and exercise. Raising children, having a career, maintaining a strong marriage – all of these things take up time. Relationships are important to nurture, but we sometimes forget the relationship we have with our bodies.
Staying fit and focused on health can be a challenge for anyone, and there are days that I don’t want to put on my running shoes and hit the pavement. But I do, because I know that I have to stay fit and stay positive. For me, exercise has been both a coping strategy and a form of treatment.
Last year I moved to Squamish from central Alberta. The weather has been a big help because it means that I can be active for longer periods of time. I am thankful to have milder weather and to be able to take advantage of the mountains in Whistler to train for a half-marathon this spring. For me, AS is not a death sentence.
