LIVING WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
(AS)
Explore ways to stay informed and supported in your day-to-day life.
Select a topic below to see resources that are available to you.
WELLNESS
Explore practical ways to manage stress and support your overall well-being.
Start Your 30-Day Wellness Challenge
Find strength, knowledge, and support one day at a time. This 30-day challenge is designed to guide and empower you with daily tools for self-care and reflection.
Guided Journaling
Engaging in self-reflection about your emotional well-being may help you process your experiences. Contact a Nurse Navigator to request a journal that you can use throughout your treatment.* Available 8am–8pm ET, Monday–Friday.
Reflecting on Your Progress
If you're new to BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx), this guided reflection can help you think about where you are in your treatment experience and where you'd like to go.
Nurse Navigators do not provide medical advice and will refer you to your healthcare professional for any treatment-related questions.
Coping with Emotional Concerns
There are many things you can do to help cope with the emotional ups and downs related to your diagnosis. To help manage these feelings, you can try:
Staying in touch with your support system. Speaking to friends and family can be beneficial for dealing with the stress you may experience.
Adhering to relaxation techniques. Deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises can help lessen stress and reduce the risk of symptom flare-ups.
Engaging in hobbies and activities. Pursuing interests and activities that bring you joy and relaxation may help you alleviate stressors and refocus your outlook.
Being patient. Improvements in mood occur gradually. Immediate changes should not be expected.
Setting realistic goals for yourself. Small goals add up to big changes. Work on them a little at a time.
Being active. Exercise, physical activity, or participation in activities that you've enjoyed may help boost your mood.
Reflecting on past challenges you've experienced may help you navigate where you're going.
Use this guided reflection to check in with yourself and make a plan for moving forward.
SMART Goals
Break down your goals using the SMART method to stay focused, realistic, and empowered.
The Headspace App
Headspace is a mindfulness and meditation app offering guided sessions to support relaxation, focus, and emotional balance.
Coping Exercise: 5-5-5 Breathing
Calm your mind and body in moments of stress using this simple breathing exercise:
INHALE 5 seconds
HOLD YOUR BREATH 5 seconds
EXHALE 5 seconds
REPEAT
NUTRITION
Discover how smart food choices can support your health and treatment goals.
The role of nutrition in managing YOUR CONDITION
A large number of studies have confirmed that diet can have a direct effect on the immune system, either stimulating or suppressing inflammation. And, as we know, inflammation is a key symptom of conditions like yours.
Anti-inflammatory diets generally recommend:
- High intake of fruits and vegetables, with recommendations for 1 or 2 servings of each at every meal
- Consumption of whole grains (1 to 2 servings per meal), nuts (1 to 2 servings per day), and legumes (1 to 2 servings per week)
- Use of unsaturated fats, like olive oil
- Protein sourced from legumes and lean proteins like fish and chicken
- Limiting the consumption of red meat, perhaps to once every 1 to 2 weeks
Remember to always speak with your doctor before beginning a new or modified diet or exercise plan.
Tips for Success in Using Food Labels
Learn how to read the food labels on the back of foods and beverages to understand how they fit your personal dietary needs.
Tracking Your Diet and Symptoms
Track what you eat and your symptoms to find possible patterns with foods that trigger your symptoms.
GETTING ACTIVE
Learn the benefits of physical activity and how to move your body in ways that work for you.
Getting active
Physical activity may help relieve the pain and stiffness of your condition and boost your mood and energy.
Tips for exercising
- Warm up to reduce the chance of injury
- Exercise where you’re most comfortable—home or gym
- Exercise at a time when your symptoms are NOT at their worst
- Make physical activity a nonnegotiable part of your day and schedule it on your calendar
- Work out with a partner
- Reward yourself for your commitment
Always check with your doctor first before beginning or changing an exercise program.
EXERCISE AND MOBILITY VIDEOS
Looking for some simple exercises to get more active? Watch the videos below, courtesy of the Arthritis Foundation, to learn movements and stretches to help you get going.
Side-Bend Stretch
Stretches your lower back and side muscles (obliques).
Shoulder Blade Stretch
Helps stretch out your back and open up your chest.
March
A range-of-motion exercise that also provides some cardio.
Sit-to-Stands
Helps work muscles used to rise out of a seated position.
Hamstring Stretch
Stretch your hamstrings out from a standing or seated position.
Leg Lifts
From a seated position, safely work a major muscle used for walking.
TREATMENT TOOLS
Get the support you need with tools and tips that make managing your treatment easier.
The MyNavigate Portal
The MyNavigate portal provides anytime online access to user-friendly tools customized to your treatment plan and goals. Within the portal, you can:
- Access and download your BIMZELX Navigate Savings Card, if eligible*
- Order a free sharps disposal container
- Explore injection training resources
- Connect with your Nurse Navigator†
- Set up medication reminders
Want 24/7 access to these personalized tools and resources?
Once you're prescribed BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx), you can sign up for your MyNavigate portal and access all of its features.
*Eligible, commercially insured patients may pay as little as $5 per dose. View complete eligibility requirements and terms.
†Nurse Navigators do not provide medical advice and will refer you to your healthcare professional for any treatment-related questions.
Discussing Treatment With Your Healthcare Team
Track your symptom experience so your healthcare team can better support your treatment goals.
Tracking Your Progress
To help evaluate your symptoms when starting BIMZELX, keep tabs on how you’re feeling at each of your initial doses.
SMART Goals
Break down your goals using the SMART method to stay focused, realistic, and empowered.
SHARPS DISPOSAL
CONTAINERS
Safely dispose of used BIMZELX injectors using this FDA-approved container. You can log in to your MyNavigate portal to request a container be shipped to your home.
TRAVELING WITH BIMZELX
From proper storage for your injection devices to getting through the airport, get helpful tips for staying on track with your treatment while traveling. Call your Nurse Navigator for more information at 1-833-931-6877, available 8am-8pm ET, Monday-Friday.*
*Nurse Navigators do not provide medical advice and will refer you to your healthcare professional for any treatment-related questions.
Have a trip coming up? Download the Travel Checklist to make sure you have everything you need.
COMMUNITY
Find guides and tips for connecting with those close to you and organizations that support your condition.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Whether it’s opening up to those closest to you or connecting with others who understand your condition, community can offer understanding, encouragement, and helpful support along the way.
Talking to Family and Friends About Your Condition
Learn tips for speaking with loved ones about your condition and any help you may need.
PATIENT ASSOCIATIONS
When it comes to living with a rheumatic condition, you are not alone. Here are some organizations that may be able to offer resources, education, and support as you treat your condition:
American College of Rheumatology
An organization that provides education, research, advocacy, and support to improve care.
CreakyJoints
A digital community and advocacy organization that provides education, support, and resources.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
A US federal research institute that conducts and supports scientific studies to improve understanding, treatment, and prevention.
KickAS (Kick Ankylosing Spondylitis)
A free, global, peer support community offering forums, medical guides, and practical tools.
Spondylitis Association of America
Provides resources and support to improve quality of life for people living with spondyloarthritis.
Dating and Intimacy
There is not a specific “best time” to tell someone you’re dating about your diagnosis. Use your best judgment and do what makes you most comfortable. Some other considerations about dating and intimacy include:
- Accepting your diagnosis and maintaining open communication with partners may be the first steps for becoming more comfortable with intimacy
- Explaining to your romantic partners that inflammatory diseases are not contagious
