re: Ankylosing Spondylitis - Anybody have insight?

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Has anyone here had it or knew somebody who did

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Unfortunately, AS is a chronic condition and not something you will be cured of; however, it can be managed.
I have it. You can ask me anything.

My experience with rheumatologists is that they will diagnose and prescribe drugs and that's about it. I do not even broach the subject about diets anymore as they usually are dismissive about the link between gut health and autoimmune disease. They are helpful in that blood work will be drawn each visit and it is important to monitor your c reactive protein level and sed rate to see how active your inflammation may be. If you can i highly recommend trying to get an appointment with the Mayo Clinic. They will spend a lot of time with you and also test you for common companions of AS: Crohn's, Colitis, Celiac. Do you gut issues as well?

In regards to gut, you are on the right track by trying anti-inflammatory dieting. I don't know the specifics of what you eat, but I made a lot of hard changes and have benefited greatly. You've got to get your gut healthy. Keep in mind, NSAIDs you may be taking for pain will keep your stomach torn up and the cycle of flare ups active. I wouldn't sweat that too much now though if you are in a bad way and need pain relief.

I'm not crazy about taking biologics, but yes thy have helped me a lot. I'm on Enbrel. Humira will probably what your rheumy will try first. Try to keep excercising. Fight through the pain. Trust me, you do not want to get fused.