Torrance, CA resident, Patricia Vicari enjoyed good health for the most of her life---then, about two years ago, she was stricken with an autoimmune disorder. In March 2010, Patricia was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). AS is a chronic, inflammatory disease that primarily affects joints of the spine, causing severe back pain and in some cases fusing of the vertebrae. It may also cause various other problems throughout the body, including stiffness, fatigue, and inflammation (uveitis).
Patricia began playing tennis actively about seven years ago; however, the pain that she endured from AS caused her to give up her beloved pastime.“I began experiencing pain in my toes and ankles, and started to experience a lot of swelling and stiffness,” said Patricia.
In an attempt to remain active without tennis, she began doing water aerobics, the only exercise she could do without pain. Patricia became very depressed physically and emotionally, which also took a toll on her husband, and two sons. It was difficult for them to see her struggle in pain and witness her activity decline.
Fortunately, after suffering from AS for three months, her rheumatologist suggested she try Remicade, an anti-TNF infusion therapy. This treatment worked wonders for Patricia.
“I’m back to being 100% pain free,” she says. Daily activities became easier for her to manage, and her inflammation is completely gone. After not playing tennis for three months, she is back to playing five times a week, and has been able to move up from 3.0 to 3.5 in the United States Tennis Association. She is also part of her local Women’s Doubles Team.
AS is known to affect at least half a million people in the United States, likely more as the disease is under-diagnosed. One of the hardest parts about Patricia’s diagnosis was that she had never heard of this condition before. Each month, she attends a local meeting for the Spondylitis Association of America, which has helped her to stay informed about the condition, and converse with others who are going through the same thing. Patricia hopes that other newly-diagnosed patients will get involved, as well. She advises them to not be afraid, because there are a variety of treatments currently available that may improve their situration. She says, “I believe in staying active and taking control of your disease, instead of letting it control you.”
For further information about AS, click on this link
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