Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Patient’s Perspective

According to a study published in the January 2008 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, 0.6 million to 2.4 million adults have AS.¹ The Spondylitis Association of America says that diagnosis delays are common, because the onset of the disease and symptoms can vary from person to person.² Many patients present with low-grade fevers, joint pain and severe fatigue, but some like Mr. McClintock, experience only pain.

When a patient’s discomfort becomes severe enough to seek treatment, they often see a chiropractor, as Mr. McClintock did, or a sports medicine doctor who might not have AS on their radar. Because back pain is such a common medical problem, physical therapy (PT) is often the first course of action.

Mr. McClintock was actually prescribed PT by his doctor. Although the exercises helped with his stiffness, he says they did little to relieve his pain.

Fifty-eight at the time of his diag­nosis, Mr. McClintock was also older than the typical AS patient. Symptoms typically present between the ages of 17 and 45, although they can occur in children, or later in life, such as with Mr. McClintock.

Lifelong Treatment

Another of Mr. McClintock’s race cars.

As the pain in his lower back and buttocks became worse, Mr. McClintock’s doctor referred him to Dr. Brasington, who took his medical history and gave him a physical examination, including X-rays. Mr. McClintock also had bloodwork done, including a test for HLA-B27. The presence of HLA-B27 is associated with certain autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases, including AS, which causes inflammation of the joints in a patient’s spine.

“No one else in my family had [previously been diagnosed with] AS, although my brother, who is 17 years older than I am, was diagnosed with polymyalgia rhuematica this year,” Mr. McClintock says.

After starting on adalimumab in January 2017 and receiving one injection every other week, Mr. McClintock began to see an immediate, noticeable improvement in his pain. “I was told I would probably be on [adalimumab] the rest of my life and that the injections would keep the disease from progressing, while also offering pain relief,” Mr. McClintock says.

Living Continues

As he began to feel better, Mr. McClintock resumed racing and has gone on to win races in five states. He continues to work at the university during the day and to work on cars in his home garage in the evening. He also focuses on staying healthy, getting an annual flu shot and a pneumonia vaccination. When he’s not racing, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 39 years, Tracy, his adult children, son Dustin and daughter Amber, and his seven grandchildren.