This is a collection of hopefully useful pointers to information & other resources on the laugh-a-minute family of arthritis-type diseases.

Links to AS information : UK National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS HQ) (latest accounts ) NASS Guidebook For AS Patients Ankylosing Spondylitis International Federation KickAS.org - "kicking AS into touch" Coalition of Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients (CASP) A volunteer-run UK group campaigning on behalf of AS patients Links to other local AS groups in the UK : You can find a list of all current regional NASS groups, with contact information, at the main NASS website, here : http://www.nass.co.uk/nass-near-you/ If you are having any difficulty finding a contact local to you, send an email to us at info@bristolnass.co.uk stating your region or district, and we will do our best to help. Non-AS-specific links : Information about DISH - DISH is a form of degenerative arthritis involving widespread calcification and ossification of ligaments of the spine, which may give rise to ankylosis. Arthritis Research Campaign - "raises funds to promote medical research into the cause, treatment and cure of arthritic conditions"; publishes a lot of useful patient information too email: info@arc.org.uk Arthritis Insight (USA site) Iritis Organisation - iritis,if left untreated, can damage your sight irreparably; if you develop an irritation (as if you have something in your eye) or "misting" of the eyes that does not clear quickly, contact your nearest hospital (the Bristol Eye Hospital iritis helpline is here) and mention that you have AS The RNIB also has a useful page about iritis : http://www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyeconditions/eyeconditionsoz/Pages/uveitis.aspx - they use an equivalent name for the condition - "uveitis" International Stills Disease Foundation - Stills' Disease is thought by some to be a halfway house between JRA and SLE JRA World - Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis site Amyloidosis Support Network - Amyloidosis is a condition in which one or more organ systems in the body accumulate deposits of abnormal proteins, and can be caused by an inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis UK National Osteoporosis Society - AS sufferers can sometimes develop a degree of osteoporosis Reiter's Information & Support Group - Information & Support Group for the Spondyloarthropathies: Reiter's Syndrome (Reactive Arthritis), Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, IBD - (American site) NHS "EQUIP" information page on disorders of joints, bones and muscle - EQUIP is Electronic Quality Information for Patients - a gateway to quality health and social care information for UK patients, their families and carers CreakyJoints.com - "bringing arthritis to its knees" Products Which May Help : www.stairliftadvisor.co.uk - Independent advice on choosing a stairlift.

Arthritis ... more fun than a hot poker in your eye ...