Are you in a support group? Share with others

Hello everyone,

Living with a physically debilitating disease, such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, can be very difficult and demanding as it tends to impact not only one's physical health, but also one's mental and emotional health. It also tends to impact one's social life, as many chronic conditions tend to do.... Dealing with a more rare condition, such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, can increase the challenges and burden one may face; According to the statistics, only approximately 1% of the population in the United States have AS.

Therefore, it can be very beneficial for individuals diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis to join a support group. 

Besides Carenity, are you part of a support group? Is it a support group dedicated just to AS?

How often do you go? Have you found comfort and support there?

If you are not in a support group, why not?

Please share your story and experiences with one another.

I go to a group in my church, which is a support group for those in chronic pain. We meet at various locations once a week. We rotate meeting at people's houses, for those who are in too much pain or it is too difficult to meet outside of their home. Also, we SKYPE/FACE TIME with those that can't make it for whatever reason.

It helps me mostly with depression and feeling alone. Nobody in the support group has AS. A few have chronic pain from surgeries or an injury; Some have cancer and other conditions; a few have Fibromyalgia.