Growing up with pain, uncertainty, and resilience, learning to move forward one day at a time.
About Eshan Dave
Eshan Dave is a young student from Ahmedabad, living with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Diagnosed at a very early age, his journey with AS began during his teenage years—at a time when life should have been about school, friends, and growth, not chronic pain and medical tests.
Eshan shares his story to raise awareness about early-onset AS and to let others know that even young patients deserve to be heard and understood.
The Early Days: When Everything Changed Suddenly
Eshan’s journey with Ankylosing Spondylitis began unexpectedly during a family vacation. After falling twice within a short span of time, he experienced pain that initially seemed temporary. Painkillers helped, and life went back to normal at least for a while.
But a few months later, another fall during a dance brought the pain back, this time more severe. What seemed like isolated incidents slowly revealed a deeper issue.
Unbeknownst to him at the time, Eshan had already been experiencing dull, aching pain and stiffness in his neck and lower back for nearly two years, and it was gradually worsening.
Searching for Answers: The Diagnosis Journey
As the pain and stiffness persisted, medical consultations became unavoidable. Multiple evaluations revealed that the discomfort was not just injury related, it was progressive.
Eshan was eventually diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting his spine. At just 14 years old, receiving this diagnosis was overwhelming not just for him, but for his family as well.
Numerous tests followed:
- MRI scans
- CT scans
- Endoscopy and other investigations
Each test brought more clarity but also reinforced the seriousness of the condition.
Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis as a Student
Managing AS while being a 9th-grade student added another layer of complexity to Eshan’s life.
Daily life involved:
- Persistent pain and stiffness in the cervical and lumbar spine
- Difficulty maintaining routine activities
- Balancing school responsibilities with ongoing treatment
Treatment included regular medications and monthly injections, sometimes more than once a month, depending on how his condition responded. Despite following treatment plans carefully, relief was not always immediate or consistent.
The Hardest Part: When AS Is More Than Just Joint Pain
For Eshan, Ankylosing Spondylitis did not exist alone. Alongside AS, he faced additional health challenges, including:
- Severe stomach ulcers (requiring surgery)
- Seizures
- Ongoing digestive complications
Managing multiple conditions simultaneously made the journey even more exhausting—physically and emotionally. At such a young age, coping with recurring hospital visits, procedures, and uncertainty became part of normal life.
What Helped Eshan Keep Going
While the pain and stiffness didn’t disappear overnight, Eshan’s journey taught him patience and resilience.
What helped him move forward:
- Consistent medical follow-ups
- Trusting the treatment process, even when results were slow
- Support from family during difficult phases
- Learning to listen to his body instead of ignoring pain
For Eshan, coping became less about “getting cured” and more about learning how to live alongside the condition.
A Message from Eshan to Others Living with AS
Eshan hopes his story encourages others, especially young patients, not to dismiss their symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis and to seek timely care and support.
In this video, Eshan talks about how Ankylosing Spondylitis entered his life unexpectedly, how it affected his daily routine as a student, and what it has taken, emotionally and physically to continue moving forward.
Why Antardhwani Shares Patient Stories
At Antardhwani, we believe stories like Eshan’s highlight an important truth—chronic illnesses don’t wait for adulthood.
By sharing real patient journeys, we aim to:
- Create awareness about early-onset RA & AS
- Reduce stigma around invisible pain
- Offer comfort through shared experiences
Every story adds strength to the community.
Share Your Story
Your journey, whether young or old, newly diagnosed or long-term matters.
If you or a loved one is living with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis, we invite you to share your story with Antardhwani.
