Ankylosing Spondylitis: The Facts (The ^AFacts Series)

Most of the book was very helpful. At times I found the author to be a bit sexist and harsh.

I was recently diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, with ankylosing spondylitis being a large part of it. I had actually read an ad in the March/April 2013 copy of WebMD and internally realized that I had AS. When I went to a new rheumatologist in summer, the rheumatologist told me she didn't think I had AS; however, as our discussion progressed, she ordered a test HLA-B27 which gives an indication as to its presence. Yes, I definitely had the marker for AS. I continued to research the topic on Google, and then checked a nearby library who requested it from another library in the system. It's a small pocket sized book, and would easily fit in my handbag. Instead, I ordered the Kindle edition and had it immediately. Now, whenever I am inclined to wait at an appointment, or read at home, I just read this book on my Kindle and highlight the words that speak to me. One of the underlying reasons for this book being valuable to me is that the author is a doctor, and he has ankylosing spondylitis; I can learn much from him.

This is a good book to add to your research while waiting the four months it takes to get to see a rheumatologist. And at just 140 pages you might just read it in the waiting room.It is very straight forward, albeit dry reading. It covers exercises, sleeping postures, case histories, alternative treatments, and medications from NSAIDs to TNF blockers like Embrel.This is written by a medical doctor so naturally all alternative treatments are dismissed as having no value whatsoever.Regarding chiropractic care, the author states that AS patients should "avoid manipulation" because these treatments have "sometimes inadvertently led to spinal fractures".The low starch diet is discussed and is "not recommended" because it has not been "scientifically evaluated". Of course it hasn't been evaluated, and it never will be because there's no money to be made by large corporations.Later he admits that "AS may be triggered by gut infection with Klebsiella bacteria". Given this statement I thought the low starch diet (which restricts Klebsiella) should have been given more consideration.Despite the dishing of all alternative treatments, this book is a good resource.

Excellent book that further explains this hereditary immune disease and the genetic HLA-B27-xx chromosone that your ancestors have handed down unknowingly. Just recently researchers have also found two other chromosones that are also linked to AS. You will find that even some Rheumatologist's will misdiagnose your disease because they either don't know enough about AS themselves or they feel the "tests" are too expensive. Therefore you may suffer in unnecessary debilitating pain until you insist upon testing. Educate yourself with the most knowledgeable doctor in this field who just so happens to have AS himself.

I purchased this book for my husband who is battling AS, when he was first diagnosed & it was all so new to us. The book is very informative about the condition and somewhat thorough. I didn't find it very personal though. Since the author is an AS sufferer himself I just expected a more personal approach to his story telling. He gives you the basic, clinical facts & conventional medical treatments, no more, no less.

Great information filled book from an expert in the field. If you have A.S. You really need ti read this. Nwvwe depend on your doctor to go e you all the information.

This was my fault for not looking further into it, like the year the book was written. My current treatment wasn't even invented yet so not in the book. I had to return it.

It had a lot good information

Although 10 years have past since this was published, most of the information is still relevant.I would add that in my experience, a low starch diet is quite effective.

I really appreciated having this book when my partner was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. I especially appreciated that the person who wrote the book lives with ankylosing spondylitis and is a specialist on the topic. It was helpful.

I was disappointed in the material covered in this book. It contains only basic information and allopathic facts, discredits much of what has been proven at many hospitals and centers around the world in regrads to diet modification. The cost of the book is outrageous for the contents. I read the whole book in less than an hour. For very general basic info it is okay, but nothing that you won't find on the net.

One of the best books available about this painful condition and should be read by both doctors treating this condition and patients who are suffering from this painful condition.Both should benefit from reading this book.

I dont trust the guy. Right from the start there is no mention that the illness is an autoimmune disease. Also although there is plenty of evidence that diet plays a very important role, he says diet doesnt have that much effect Luckily I found that the low starch diet works very well for me (so far). This author is well past his sell by date, recycling old ideas that we should alll be popping medications. The title is misleading.