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I want to share my story.

My pain started on April 14, 2007. I enjoy running and I ran on my treadmill that morning. I noticed my foot was hurting a bit and I figured I had injured myself somehow. Through the day it began to hurt more. Through the next few days, the pain increased and spread, along with severe swelling in my feet and ankles. I had a finger swell and pain in that and in a knee. Then the balls of my feet and my heels started to become extremely painful. It was almost impossible to walk. It felt like walking on marbles. Also, my second toe on each foot swelled up to a sausage shape and became red and painful. All the while, I had constant canchor sores in my mouth.

After several doctors visits and a few attempts at treating my symptoms, I was diagnosed after a blood test. I tested positive for the gene HLA-B27 [Editor's note: remember that although the HLA-B27 test can be helpful in diagnosis, it is NOT a diagnostic test of AS]. My doctor gave me the diagnosis of AS on June 6, 2007. Now, I realize that I am very blessed to of had such an early diagnosis. I am learning that many go much longer before they are diagnosed and can begin treatment.

At first, I took it like a champ and denied it! I stood in the parking lot and asked my husband how the doctor could be so sure I had this funny sounding disease, when all I tested positive for was a gene that 90% of the people with this disease have... My husband, who is in the medical profession then told me he had to agree with my doctor's thought process and diagnosis and even treatment.

Well, for 2-3 days I was mad and sad. Then I made a decision. I would rather be at peace and in pain than be sad and mad and in pain. I had looked on the internet a little and had found a couple of stories about two different people with AS. One warned me of the road I would be traveling if I stayed mad and the other story inspired me to overcome.

The first story was about a fellow who lived his life in anger at his disease. He did not know what was happening at the time; however, he says he took his anger out on his family for ten years; causing his wife and children to think he did not love them. I did not want that to happen to me.

The other story was written by a mom who was praising the will God placed in her son. Her son was diagnosed with AS and plays sports and runs in pain and overcomes because he can. These were the stories I moved forward in. I prayed for the sad and mad feelings to leave my heart for I was ready to live again, even in the pain.

My faith gave me courage to face the day.

I have two young children and there was much to do. Some days were too tough and I was forced to rest. I had to listen to my body. I went on Methotrexate for a few months, while I waited to get approved via my insurance company for Enbrel.

My symptoms are much improved. I am going off of the Methotrexate to see if Enbrel alone will do it for me. I am getting better and I want to encourage others. Don't give up. Don't give in. Try to keep things in perspective and say "What can I still do?" I was sad not to be able to run. However, I found out I could do other things. We need to be creative. Even in my worst pain, I could still sit on the floor (though it took a long while and a lot of pain to stand up again) and play with my children. I was still able to sit and read stories with them. I was and am able to do many more things than I have lost.

And, what is lost for now may not be lost forever. I maintain hope that I might be able to run again, God willing. I am also okay if I don't. Life is good. I wanted to forward this to whomever you think might be encouraged.

Jane Farnworth