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Chronic Disease and Chronic Condition Support Community

Ankylosing spondylitis often starts when you are young and building a life, and it tends to hurt most when you are trying to rest. ShareWell has free online support groups for people living with long-term illness and pain, which you can join standing, sitting or moving around.

Live groups available daily.

Join a Free Group How It Works

Featured Today

in 6 hours

NEW

Good mornings, goals and gratitude's

Tue, Sep 29 | 6:00AM - 7:30AM UTC

Welcome to Good Mornings, Goals, and Gratitudes. Each morning, we meet with open hearts and tired eyes to greet the day gently, set a daily goal, and choose one small act of care for ourselves. Then, in return, we are grounded, lighter, and reminded that we are not alone. In the GGG, we start our day with positive quotes, journal prompts, self-care activities, daily intentions, and a goal we aim to achieve that day, followed by a moment of gratitude. Join us for a gentle, caring way to start your day.

Attendees

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Upcoming Groups

Member-led

Living With Endometriosis

People managing life with endometriosis

Chronic Illness

Endometriosis

Women's health

1/16

Today 5:00 PM • 60 min

annrny1

New 🎉

Chronic illness support

People looking to connect so not lonely, sad, feel hopeless.

Aging

Chronic Illness

Loneliness

1/20

Today 8:30 PM • 60 min

Breathwork for Nervous System Regulation

Ray_L

Breathwork for Nervous System Regulation

people to learn and practice breathwork techniques

Breathwork

Healing

Inner peace

11/15

Today 9:00 PM • 45 min

Solenne

The Muse & the Midnight Quill

The Alchemy of Witchcraft & Modern Neuroscience

Meditation

Spirituality

Vision building

2 spots left

7/9

Wed, 9/30, 1:00 AM • 90 min

Topic context

Understanding ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis, or AS, is a type of arthritis of the spine, also known as axial spondyloarthritis. It causes pain and stiffness in the lower back or hips that is usually worse at night or after sitting, it commonly starts in younger people, and it varies greatly from person to person.

Why it helps

How peer support helps with ankylosing spondylitis

Peer support can help with ankylosing spondylitis because a diagnosis can bring shock, anger and a sense of loss, and social support makes a difference to how people cope. A group gives you that support each week.

Inside the room

What ankylosing spondylitis groups often cover

Pain that is worse at night and after sitting still
Shock, anger or loss after diagnosis
Building work and family life around an unpredictable body
Low mood and anxiety

ShareWell groups are peer support and do not give medical advice, so please keep working with your care team on anything about diagnosis or treatment. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Good fit for

Who these groups may help

People living with ankylosing spondylitis or spondyloarthritis
Young adults who were recently diagnosed
Women and men at any stage

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

Is there an online support group for ankylosing spondylitis?

Not one named for AS. You are welcome in the chronic pain and chronic illness groups listed here, where members have a range of diagnoses, and in the gentle sessions.

Sitting still hurts. Can I move during a session?

Yes. You can stand, stretch or walk around while you take part.

Is this page for axial spondyloarthritis too?

Yes. People with any form of spondyloarthritis are welcome.

Where can I find medical information about ankylosing spondylitis?

The Spondylitis Association of America (spondylitis.org) has an information line at 800-777-8189.