The Woodlands Support Group

My name is Beth. I am the new co-facilitator for the Woodlands Support Group leading the online meetings. I actually live further north in Wichita Falls, Texas. Before I had to retire due to health complications, I was teaching general psychology and psychology classes for nursing students as an adjunct instructor. Early in my life, I was a newspaper journalist before returning to school to earn a master’s degree in clinical psychology. I worked as a counselor, co-led a Vietnam veterans group therapy, and also co-led an ADHD clinic. Later, I was a case supervisor with Child Advocates/CASA, a non-profit organization working with and advocating for children in the foster care system.

Although I had struggled most of my life with back pain and difficulties, new symptoms such as hip pain began in my 40’s. After a car accident in 2009, I began struggling with new health complications starting with Addison’s disease and secondly A.S. I had to bow out of full-time work in 2010 due to the onslaught of health conditions that followed. Unfortunately, my back has since fused and now my right rib cage is fusing around my upper lung. For me personally, I struggle with my shoulders, hips, knees, lower back pain, upper back and neck pain, achy flu-like symptoms, and fatigue. My feet are a giant tangled mess of toes and bones going in all different directions. One had to be amputated.

I have discovered that many people within the spondyloarthritis community suffer with multiple conditions. Myself, I have neuropathy, Tietze’s disease (kin to costochondritis), chronic anemia, Lupus, hypothyroidism, hyponatremia, and Addison’s. I also struggle with retaining vitamin D and B vitamins.

Although our journeys are unique, we have a common bond: spondyloarthritis. For each individual, the loss of good health is multidimensional. Sometimes, our perception of the world and ourselves can become blurred and distorted. Hopefully, meeting and bonding together with others within the spectrum of spondylitis can instill a sense of hope, promoting positive character, instilling self-awareness, and self-advocacy. We need to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, learn to cope with the adversities we are and may be confronted with due to our AS diagnosis. Lastly, everyone’s journey is unique and individual. Let this platform be a place of support and encouragement. For more information and resources, visit the SAA official website: www.spondylitis.org

This platform is not intended to replace or substitute professional medical advice.