New symptom

Well, it's no fun finding new related symptoms in my disease AS.  Two weeks ago, I noticed my ribs were so painful.  It felt sore and I was limited to bending cause my ribs were inflamed. I did some research online and asked my AS support group on Facebook. And my conclusion was all linked to Costochondritis. It is an inflammation of the ribs.  And boy does it hurt!  I was upset to not be able to go to church again because of an AS related issue.  But God was merciful and allowed me to get rest and read His word during that time. I've read that sometimes the pain can take up to a month to go away. But thankfully, it went away in two days. Even though it seemed like forever...God was in control.

Off to the ER I went...

So I had a little scare three weeks ago.  One night I had such an excruciating pain in my lower right abdomen. I was literally on the floor and couldn't move cause of the pain. I was sweating and almost vomited.  Thank God my husband was home to help me. I couldn't sleep cause it felt like labor pain! So I asked my husband to grab a washcloth and soak it in warm water. And it helped to some point so that I could sleep.

But the next morning, I knew I had to go to the urgent care just in case it was appendicitis. My husband had to take off work and brought me to Concord. Then the doctor said he wanted me to go to the ER next door cause it could be serious. 

So I waited in the ER and did a series of tests...the ultrasound didn't show if it was appendicitis or not. So they had to do a CT scan which required me to do a contrast of iodine in my IV. And that's when they diagnosed me with an ovarian cyst rupture! I was like what? Really?

Well first, praise God it wasn't appendicitis or anything else serious. The only person that came to mind was my sister who had the same problem and symptoms in the beginning of the year. Who would have thought it would happen to me? I was totally shocked. But soon found out that it was actually a common thing that women inherited. I felt some what relieved. But still had one cyst left in there so I'm actually gonna follow up with my doc next week with an ultrasound.

God led me to a good doctor who helped alleviate my pain

Wow is all I must say! It started just by talking to a sister from my church who has the same disease as I.  And she recommended that I'd see her Osteopathic doctor who specializes in manipulative medicine. 

 I have to say at first, I was skeptical of what she would do. It seemed like she was just like a Chiropractor who adjusts the joints and spine. But she knows so much more! At my one hour initial appointment I discussed with her my health concerns and disease. And for her to be to understanding and caring was such a blessing already! She said their office talks all about auto-immune disease and in fact she has one herself. So she knows a lot about the discomforts and problems that arise in a typical day for me.

She then continued on cracking all my joints but yet did some kind of work on my vertebrae. I've never seen this practice before and was pretty hopeful when she knew where I was stiff. So she mentioned to her husband (who is also a doctor there) and practitioner in training on how bad my body was. They all worked on me at the same time by pulling and tugging on my pain! There was a weird feeling on my right arm that would allow me to stretch without pain...and no kidding, her husband twisted the muscle and fixed it. It went away! And didn't come back! I cannot even believe how they all alleviated my pain that very day.  I literally stood up after her work was done and asked if I could hug her! I told her that I haven't felt so relieved in almost a year. I tried everything from changing my diet and taking (NSAIDs) medication but nothing helped. So from now on, she's got me booked for every two weeks. I thank my Lord for allowing me to have time to make these appointments and finding good sitters for my kids while  take a jump of taking care of myself during this summer.