A patient’s view of Ankylosing Spondylitis:

Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.) is one of the inflammatory types of arthritis; the result is inflammation of joints, organs and attachment points of the ligaments to bones.
AS is typically difficult to diagnose and people often suffer pain for many years before being diagnosed.
From the patient’s point of view AS is an annoying and frustrating complaint to have and for their partners even more frustrating.
The problem with AS is that it follows a path that is totally illogical: Pains in joints move from one to another for no apparent reason. Sometimes it leaves the joint damaged other times there is no damage.
No joint or organ is out-of-bounds, the severity can be mild or severe, and the period can be days or months.
Some people get "Flare Ups", these are a feeling of being unwell as well as being in a lot of pain in many or particular joints.
Depression and a feeling of withdrawing into ones self is a common symptom of AS.
Exercise can help but not necessarily when in a "Flare Up", it is probable best to try some gentle exercise and judge for you whether or not exercise is helping.
Here are some strategies to help you:
If you are in pain, then discuss your medication with your doctor.
If you are feeling tired and run down, then maybe a rest from work could be of help.
If you are feeling depressed try talking to someone who is sympathetic or someone who has AS. Do something that you enjoy doing, treat yourself. Try writing a diary of how you feel each day; it has been proved that this can help chronic conditions.
Don’t give up; there is help out there from somebody.