Living with ankylosing spondylitis - Amanda Geard's story

Amanda Geard was just 19 when she began experiencing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. AS is a form of inflammatory arthritis, which mainly affects the spine, but can also cause pain and/or swelling in the shoulders, hips, knees, heels, chest/ribs and small joints of the hands and feet.

The writer and geologist talks about her story in living with this chronic condition, how she spent 15 years in debilitating pain before finding an effective treatment plan.

Originally from Tasmania, Amanda lives in Co. Kerry, with her husband Barry and two red setters, Harry and Bertie.

It is supported by Novartis.

#AmandaGeard #ankylosingspondylitis #arthritis

[NathanAnnandale]

I have had AS for 20 years, but I didn't let it stop me and had an amazing career in the ocean. I was unfortunately hit by a car, and it made my AS so much worse. I also injured my back further afterwards, and I am barely able to walk now. I have to use a walking stick for the pains in my leg from the car impact, but also to relieve my back pains. After 20 years I have finally been diagnosed, and this video has brought so much hope back to my life. I have done over 5000 scuba dives in 15 years, and in the past 4 years I haven't dived and it has destroyed my soul. Been fighting with severe depression for a very long time now, and there is finally some light at the end of the long dark tunnel.

[corycubano]

I have AS and I have a very similar route as you. I actually played division 1 baseball and didn’t get symptoms till 25. I then could barely move in paralyzing pain for a year until I was diagnosed and was finally able to use medication and get better. I am now back to baseball at 28 and just signed a professional contract.

[parveensherwood-schuetze]

I only have admiration for you. I have AS for many, many years l am nearly 77yrs
now.l understand exactly what you have been through, keep it up, never give up.

[Peace_seeker]

I'm 24 diagnosed when 22..got sad and depressed lost 10kgs but now I'm healing ❤

[johnsalisbury]

She is modest. This is the most diabolical pain a human consciousness can endure.

[matthewblythe]

This really helped me Amanda Thankyou, I’m 32 I’m an Australian and I was diagnosed only a few months ago. Sometimes the pain is unbearable. And I’ve been tears many time thinking about what the rest of my life will look like. I was an extremely adventurous young man I love to snowboard hike and travel and all sorts of other physical things. Thankyou for showing me that it isn’t the end and that all those things are still possible for me..Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou

[jerinaelsa]

I am 32 and after fighting with back pain since 3yrs today I got diagnosed with AS. I was very sad but now happy that they diagnosed it.

[sunettebrink]

You go, Strong Woman! i was diagnosed when I was 35, am now 52.Had knee operation and two frozen shoulders as well.AS made me stronger as I train doing weights, walk, run using tumeric cayenne pepper, ginger daily. Feel less tired and beating menopause as well! Keep moving, stay strong!

[shmang]

Thank you for sharing. I'm 35 and was diagnosed when I was 16. I remember limping all throughout high school. My parents didn't believe my cries from pain. In college I couldn't even put on my socks or use a sink. Yoga has become my friend, and I completely relate to what you say about pain and excercise. Thank you. Sending you much good health!

[CHRMARGIL]

I’m newly diagnosed and really going through it atm..these videos are helping me to form a better understanding of how life could be..thank you

[skunkflwr]

I was just diagnosed yesterday after a major flare up of my whole body. My neck, back, right hip all ached. My knee was the size of a softball. I could barely walk. I felt so hopeless like i was never going to feel relief again. I was very fortunate to meet a doctor who identified it right away because of my bloodwork. I am HLA-B27 positive. I have yet to see a rheumatologist, because it takes a while to get scheduled. Seeing this video gives me hope. I really had no hope during the most painful flare up I've ever experienced.


Ive had symtoms since i was 14-15 years old. I am now 28. It took over 10 years for a diagnosis. Its a hard pill to swallow.

Thank you for sharing your story.

[milokingtana]

I've been living with this condition since I was like 15 years old but the pain wasn't as strong as it was 2 years ago, I'm 34 years old now and 2 years ago I was finally diagnosed with AS since then my reumatologist prescribed me a biological treatment and I started to feel much better I'm taking shots of ADALIMUMAB every 15th days and exercise I give my best every day cuz I have a little kid. Well this my story I'm sorry if my english is bad I'm from Mexico

[amisha_XD]

I m 21 years old n i had AS since i was 15 years old

[mchead]

Fantastic, thank you for sharing Amanda, I'm 65 and live a full and active life even as one that was completely consumed by AS prior to age 40, symptoms started about age 12, diagnosed at age 26 (1984) with fully fused SI joints (today I have full fusion hip to neck including rib cage). My miracle came in 2001 with a biologic which quite literally gave me my life back. I try to help young people overcome the fear of treatments. And stress that AS in not a pretend disease but has the capability to be a brutal crippler. I smiled when you called it "the beast" - that has been my description of my lifelong partner that is AS.

[lilaworley]

I was just diagnosed. They are going to run a few more tests to try and figure out how to tailor a treatment plan. I have been chasing symptoms and having procedures for almost 15 years.
I finally saw the right doctor.

Your story gives me hope and inspiration. Thank you.

[zanamarigold]

Thank you Amanda for sharing your story. I'm 41 years old and I got diagnosed with AS yesterday. I can't describe my mental state right now, perhaps searching for answers, reasons for how, why, and now what. Seeing you in this video has given me some hope. Going for my blood tests this afternoon and MRI next week. Thank you Amanda for sharing your story.

[erinbabbey]

This video makes me feel hopeful. Thanks so much for sharing your testimonial, Amanda.

[ronaldnewton]

I'm a male that has AS which started when I was 14 to 15 years old. I was not diagnosed until my late 30s. I thought everyone hurt like me. So I thought it was normal to hurt the way I was hurting. Movement of all your body joints is one of the key aspects to this disease.

[diversedad]

"The beast had been named, and I now had something to fight". That's exactly how I felt almost 10yrs ago when I was diagnosed with AS after years of pain that I was just told was normal growing pains despite none of my similar aged peers dealing with what I was going through. Just having someone confirm this wasn't in my head gave me hope even though the prognosis was not good.

Now at 38 I am married with 2 kids and life is great. Most of my 30's I've felt better than most of my 20's. I have bad days and bad weeks for sure but the good outweigh the bad and I'm living life that way I want to most days.

I have had lots of prayer that I feel has truly helped change my life with my condition. I live a pretty active life but have always struggled to drink as much water as I should. I realized joints really need water and try to do a better job of drinking more of it which I think has also helped.

[austenbamford]

A low carb diet has been the best thing I could have ever tried for my AS.
In 2019 I was in so much pain I couldnt get out of bed. I had flare up after flare up, each getting worse. I tried a vegan glute free diets for 3 months, which had no improvement. Then I tried a low carb diet, within 3 days of the diet I saw a massive improvement no pain for the first time in over a year, that day was euphoric! I hope it works for you.