This May, Adam and I will be taking part in the Walk Your AS Off challenge to raise awareness about Axial Spondyloarthritis (axial SpA / AS) and to raise vital funds for the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS). NASS is the only charity in the UK dedicated to providing information and support for people with axial SpA.

Axial SpA is a progressive form of inflammatory arthritis, affecting the spine and joints. Inflammation occurs where muscles attach to the bones, causing extreme pain. For some with the disease, the ongoing inflammatory process permanently fuses bones together, leading to reduced mobility. Being a systemic condition, organs such as the eyes and bowel can also become involved. Axial SpA is an invisible and commonly misdiagnosed condition, often leaving people feeling powerless, experiencing increasing pain and fatigue.

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Did you know?

- Axial Spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) is actually an umbrella term and it includes: 

Ankylosing Spondylitis (where changes to the sacroiliac joints or the spine can be seen on x-ray).

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (where x-ray changes are not present but inflammation is visible on MRI or you have symptoms).

 - Most people with axial SpA receive a diagnosis between the ages of 20-40. The average age of onset is 24.

 - 1 in 200 Brits live with axial SpA making it more common than Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis combined, yet the majority of the population have never heard of it. 

- The current average delay to diagnosis from when symptoms start is 8.5 years, by which time irreversible damage to the spine may have occurred.

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If you or a loved one has experienced persistent back pain lasting longer than 3 months, It could be axial SpA. To read more about symptoms and how NASS support people with axial SpA please visit nass.co.uk

The Walk Your AS Off challenge will involve walking as much as possible during the month of May. Adam is aiming to walk the equivalent length of Hadrian’s Wall. Our steps will be recorded using a pedometer and uploaded daily to the Walk AS One website walkasone.org (please feel free to take a look). 

NASS really are a fantastic charity that do so much to support people with axial SpA. We would be so grateful for any small donation - Thank you!

Fay & Adam