After Discovering I Had Ankylosing Spondylitis

Missed Part 1 on Ankylosing Spondyilits? Go Here First

It was in 1974 that I left London and moved to Swanage in Dorset. I left behind those two horrendous doctors who treated patients like enemies, and of course had to find a new GP and specialist. My life changed.

I arranged to see a visiting specialist soon after arriving in the new area, a small seaside town. It was a spell when I was in a lot of pain and had difficulty walking. My first appointment was a revelation. When I walked in the door I had no idea what all the pain was about; whether it was a deadly disease, a freak of nature, or arthritis. I was in ignorance, but not ignorant bliss. It was only my natural optimism that kept me going, although I did wonder sometimes if I would ever have a pain free day again.

My new orthopedic specialist was a very pleasant and quite young man (compared to the two ancient dragons in South London) but older than my 24 years by a decade or so. He was calm, reassuring, relaxed and open. He opened my notes, which had arrived from London, and said "ah, you have ankylosing spondylitis."

It was an immediate and intense relief to at least know what I had, but why on earth had the other doctors not told me? It was diagnosed when I was 19. However, I was more focused on this posh sounding disease I had which I had never even heard of before.

The doctor explained the disease at an equal level, and with the respect all doctors should show to their patients. At the time, ankylosing spondylitis was thought to be comparatively rare. Perversely, being someone who likes to be different, that made it even better. At least I knew what I had, and I was elated. After 5 years of periodic pain in my buttocks, hip joints, and back, I now knew what I had. I will never forget leaving that doctor's outpatient surgery, feeling as if I had won the pools. He even presented me with a leaflet on ankylosing spondylitis and how to live with it.

I had not heard of ankylosing spondylitis before that day. It was to be a part of me for the rest of my life, and mostly in positive ways.