Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a rheumatoid arthritis-like disease that attacks the spine, pelvis, hips, neck, and all other joints. Through the years the hip joints have been the joints I have had the most trouble with, but rarely a bad bout would last over 10 days. I also have had whole years where I had little problem with this disease. The current bad "worst in my life" bout that I have been going through in 2010 really started in my neck in October 2009 when I had unbearable neck pain for days and could not sleep or get out of bed. This cleared up decently for a few months, but in mid January 2010 I started having the horrible hip and back pain. I was in bed from the last of Jan. to the end of Feb. Then in March I had a decent time of relief, with a few exceptions of a few bad days here and there, along with a few good days, mixed. This lasted to about April, but then mid April I had some bad weeks and started going to the chiropractor. About the 20th of April I got a week of decent relief, but this did not last. By the first of May I was in bed for the summer, and have been on crutches constantly for months, I am still on crutches as of Thanksgiving day, November, 2010, but I am making slow progress, thanks be to the Lord. I had such a bad bout in May, June, July, August, September, that I really questioned if I was going to live through it at times. Having this laptop and Internet service was a real blessing many times this year. It gave me something to do. I have done a lot of Bible study, history, and research, doctrine study, church group study, church history, map study, studying of areas that may be good areas to visit one day. I also did a lot of study on farm self sufficiency ideas, well drilling by hand, fruit tree varieties, etc. This disease has caused me much pain and many hardships, not to mention ruining most of my plans, and bringing hardship on my family. I was planning to work in LA through Feb, but Dad had to go without me, then I got some things done on the KS farm in March, etc, but not near what I had planned to do, and then I was unable to work with dad to accomplish several goals on the LA projects. I am so thankful that I am really improving. I am now on a new strict diet to fight this sickness and it seems to be working!! An answer to prayer. I pray that the Lord will direct me to the answers to conquering this problem I have, and use all I have been through for my good and His Glory. He has the answer!!! If you read this, please pray for me.