NCD Chronicles #21: Seven Years Alone With Ankylosing Spondylitis

For several months, JC suffered chest pains mimicking a heart attack. The tightening spread from his chest, up towards his neck. Then without warning, the heel pain appeared. He also had severe, unexplained fatigue. For a year, he battled these unpredictable symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (now known as axial spondyloarthritis or AS), with little guidance. Now, with the help of the right treatment and a healthy fitness regime, JC’s symptoms are well-managed, and he advocates for other people living with AS. Listen to his journey on this episode of NCD Chronicles and visit Axial Spondyloarthritis Malaysia to find out more about the local patient support group. 

NCD Chronicles is a series about people living with NCDs, going beyond the diagnosis to explore their personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. These stories reveal the importance of understanding the unique struggles and needs of the individuals behind the disease, in our response to the NCD epidemic.