Imagine Dragons Singer Talks About His Battle With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Dan Reynolds, Eagle Scout and lead singer of Imagine Dragons, is partnering with the Spondylitis Association of America to launch This AS Life Live!, the first interactive talk show for patients with AS by patients with AS. This AS Life Live! aims to increase awareness of AS, the impact it can have on people and the importance of appropriate disease management.
“When I started to have symptoms of AS, my band was just beginning to take off and I was newly married. From the outside, everything was going great for me, but what many people didn’t know was that I was often in severe pain that left me unable to sleep at night or move around on stage — something that was very unlike me,” said Reynolds. “Because it doesn’t exhibit any external signs or symptoms, AS truly is an invisible disease. It nearly took away many of my life’s biggest joys, like holding my child and performing live on stage.”
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic a chronic autoimmune disorder resulting in painful inflammation of the spine and joints in the shoulders, hips and knees. According to Dr. Axe, healing the gut is the key to recovering from autoimmune disorders and following an anti-inflammatory diet is know to ease symptoms.
“I am stoked to be a part of this new series, and help bring the realities of the AS patient experience to life. The challenges I have faced are what drive my passion to discuss my experiences and be a part of the larger AS patient community,” said Reynolds. “I hope that This AS Life Live! will provide much-needed information and support to patients and their caregivers.”
Each episode of the series will feature Reynolds interviewing a different patient, focusing on a unique aspect of their daily life with AS, such as exercise, relationships, the workplace and physician visits. Episodes of This AS Life Live! will air on ThisASLife.com — a vibrant, online global community that provides a supportive environment for patients.
