AS and exercise: How do you stay active?

Hi I'm new on here and new to AS, about 10 years ok I had back ache and stiffness saw GP and was referred for physio and got a course of stretches to do and it helped, all of a sudden it seemed to get much better and overtime I built myself up to a really good level of fitness and strength going to gym 4 to 5 times a week running for fun, about two years ok was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which hit me for 6 until medicated. On the road to recovery I started to get my aches and pains back gradually getting worse and worse to the point that normal daily activities were hard after many trips to GP I got referred to rheumatology and was diagnosed with AS because of my ulcerative colitis I'm unable to take anti inflammatory tablets so they're struggling with treatment they have put me on arcoxia but are concerned with the effects on my colitis they have said I made need TNF therapy any comments or advise from someone would be gratefully received many thanks Craig 

I was diagnosed with AS when I was 19 (I am now 44), then later diagnosed with Crohns disease. I had half my bowel removed in 2000 and after various different medications, I have successfully been taking Sulphasalazine since then and it seems to work well with both conditions.

Hi @Paulaj276, @Craigyboy

Did you know that you can also add other conditions to your account so that you could get access to the related discussion groups and talk to other patients?

To do so, go to "GET INFORMED" section and click on "My condition". Once on the new page, click on the green button "Add a condition", type the first 3-4 letters of the condition you wish to add, and then choose the right one from the drop-down list that will appear.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to let me know.

Kind regards

Margarita

Hello everyone,

If you want to talk more about exercise and AS, go to this thread that is full of great exercise tips for sufferers of AS.

Hello everyone,

How are you today? Have you seen this older discussion? 

Doctors and researchers alike recommend exercise for AS patients, citing its many benefits which include maintaining joint motion and flexibility, easing pain, helping with posture and breathing, and improving overall quality of life.

What about you? Do you find that exercise or stretching helps your AS? What to you do to stay active? Have you tried physiotherapy or other types of activity?
@WhiteWolf‍ @BakuBunny‍ @Jason1‍ @thedavid‍ @liamjcross‍ @CynthiaC‍ @sASha!‍ @1976apache‍ @Coling‍ @Missy2‍ @danjoshaw60‍ @eileengreen‍ @Joduell‍ @Moke772162‍ @saxon49‍ @SuziBloor‍ @DebiJP‍ @Jenpat‍ @Catblonde‍ 

Feel free to share here!

Take care,
Courtney

I have As. And I'm on long term sick. I know excersizing works well for As. I but if I join a gym I lose my sick pay. Can't win