Never give up

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Hi all,

I'll try to make this as short as is possible ;)

It started when I was 16-17 years old , at the beginning I was getting pain on my leg on and off (few days of pain and 1-2 weeks without) I went to see my doctor who sent me to rheumatologist.

After weeks of bath massage and some electric pad therapy etc. Nothing was helping so then they decided to give me MRI which was showing AS.

After being diagnosed I had a meeting with main doctor of my local hospital who told me that I have to have operation on my back as if I will not do it I'll be on wheelchair within two years.

Ok, let me clarify something.
1.I was 17 years old doing EXTREME sports (I could manage with some pain for time to time)
2. There was no Google, smartphone etc.
3. When you are young and feeling okay you don't want to risk some spine operation etc (1997 Poland)

So, I said no for that and I lived my life until 2 year ago I went to my doctor (in UK) as I was getting constant pain (neck, back, ribs, shoulder, legs) 2-3 weeks with 2-3 days without. After another MRI I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis "again" - but this time we have full worldwide internet, social media, smartphones etc. :)

The first thing which I did was Googling it to see what it's as when my doctor called me first to say about diagnosis and he asked me if I know what it's Ankylosing Spondylitis disease the only thing I could NO I never heard about this.
Well, so as you probably know after Googling and reading about it there's many things going through your mind BUT as I always say to myself never give up and make your dream happen there is always way around it!
There's many ways of controlling this disease and having happy life.

The most difficult part of it is changing the way how you see the world around you and how much you are able to adapt to new way of your lifestyle.

Ps. I have never taken any prescription drugs when I was young in Poland.
Only here in UK doctor gave me 4 options:
1. Some drug - Injection once a day done by me
2. Once a week injection in spine at hospital - he said that is very painful
3. Look for some clinic with experimental therapy/drugs - high risk
4. Naproxen - stronger painkiller

I tried naproxen 5-9 times but I didn't like it I was feeling "high" so I stopped it.

I don't take any prescription drugs or any other painkillers.
I don't drink to much of alcohol only beer and wine from time to time.
I do "smoke" since I was diagnosed first time in 1997

Thanks,
Lukas