My spondylitis diagnosis developed following an unusual course which began with a colon infection and subsequent development of reactive arthritis in 2002, leading eventually to the diagnosis of undifferentiated spondylitis in 2004. I prefer exploring alternative therapies to alleviate my pain and inflammation and to prevent the disease from progressing, and my medications of choice are low-dose naltrexone and plaquenil.
A professional musician, researcher and writer, and a former adjunct college music professor, I am committed to staying active through my disease and pain. Among my passions are my two herding dogs, and currently I run competitive dog agility with my border collie.
I enjoy reading medical journals and I believe knowledge is our empowerment.