First thing you want to do is make sure your doctors have good documentation regarding your pain and your inability to function in order to work.  Then apply for SS disability.  The first refusal you get take directly to a good attorney who specializes in SS disability.  Let them handle everything the rest of the way.  If it's still being done the way it was over 10 years ago when I went through the process, the first application will be reviewed by someone in your local SS office.  At the time I was told there would be a 90 to 95% chance of denial.  I gave it to my attorney and he filed the first appeal.  Supposedly that goes to someone else at the same level as the first person in your local office, possibly even sitting at the desk right next to the first person.  I was told there would be a 80 to 85% chance of denial with that one.  When that denial came in the attorney then filed the second appeal and my case then went before an Administrative Law Judge who works for SS.  The first time I went through the process I had a lousy attorney and ended up with a psycho judge.  I had to start all over and, the second time I got a good attorney.  Luckily we ended up with a decent judge.  While we were sitting in the little court room he had a doctor on speaker phone who worked with SS and who had reviewed all my medical records, etc.  After all the medical and legal mumbo jumbo he basically told the judge that I couldn't work and that I wasn't going to get any better.  The judge asked my attorney if we had any questions for the doctor and he replied in the negative.  Then the judge asked if we had anything we wanted or needed to say and again, the attorney replied in the negative.  After court was dismissed my attorney told me it could take 4 to 6 weeks to get an answer.  One week to the day I got my approval in the mail.  I honestly feel if I would have had a good attorney the first time OR had a decent judge the first time, I would have been approved a couple of years earlier but, bottom line is I was finally approved and have been on SS disability for about 10 years now.  Good luck to you and I wish you the best.  Not only in your quest for disability but in your dealings with AS throughout your life.

I am at my hearing level right now. I am 39.  I know that the younger you are the more they want to fight it.  No one knows what we go through unless they can live one of our days.  I started with an attorney from the very beginning of the process.  Get a good lawyer that only gets paid if they wil SSD for you.  They will take a part of your back pay but legally can only take a certain percentage.  It is next to impossible to do this without an attorney.  Don't give up no matter what is my advice to you.  It will drag on forever and can put you in quite a financial mess if you don't have the income to be off work for so long.  In order for my attorney to take the case one of my doctors had to submit a letter to them stating why I would need to be off work for at least a year continuous.  I have a DO and a Rheumatologist.  My DO does all my paper work for me for work and did that too.  I love my Rheumy but she does not like to go out of her way to help with that stuff.  She says she is here to treat us.  Isn't that part of treating us?  She submits the paperwork and notes but that is about it.  Make sure your doctor supports you!!!  That is important!  Good Luck!

I was lucky and got approved the first time I applied about 7 years ago. I was having horrible low back pain and did not know why. It wasen't till last April that I got salmonella and horrible pain in my feet, toes and ankles that I got referred to a rhummy, found out I was HLA-B27 positive and had Reactive Arthritis. Not Anklosing but the low back pain years before most likely was caused by exposure to a intestinal bug that brought on reactive arthritis in my back. I wonder what will be the target area the next time I become ill. My feet and ankles are still in pain from the flare last April. Any way, still on SS disability and grateful that I have it.

I applied in Feb. And was turned down. I hired an advocate instead of an atty.  They have handled EVERYTHING for me since then.  They did an extensive interview with me and asked me questions  about things that I never thought of. I can check on my status with them online and they have communicated well with me.  We are waiting on SSI to determine what the next move is.

I have been on SSI since I was 19 for crohn`s, later developed the AS. I get reevaluated every 3 years by SS, but I get worse as the years go by, so I stay on it. I also have high Bp, liver problems, asthma, get kidney stones, vit D deficient, B-12 deficient, and many , many , more dumb stuff wrong with me. I lose count ,lol.

Yes, turned down twice.  In one year I'll be 50 & will get the attorney & try again..  SS said there was certainly SOME job I could have.  No one knows by looking at me that I would have something this awful.  It is a double-edged sword!  Each day is its own challenge.