‘It’s scary’: Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds, 33, talks about battle with rare genetic disorder ankylosing spondylitis (AS) that affects the spine
- Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds is getting candid about his battle with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
- AS is a rare genetic disorder that occurs when the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed
- Reynolds, 33, was diagnosed after experiencing ‘unexplained’ back pain
Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds is getting candid about his battle with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a rare genetic disorder that occurs when the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.
Speaking to Us Weekly on Thursday, Reynolds, 33, said he was struck with ‘unexplained back pain,’ which was not due to any injury, so it prompted him to dig deeper.
‘I had unexplained back pain and it was out of nowhere. It was a lot of pain in my lower back…I kinda shrugged it off but it got worse,’ he said.
Battle to recovery: Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds, 33, talked about his battle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) in a new interview
When the problem persisted, he went to see a doctor though he was initially ‘misdiagnosed,’ before he found a rheumatologist a year later that ‘put him on the road to recovery.’
‘I went to different doctors and they didn’t know what was going on, or they thought they knew what was going on and they’d misdiagnosed me… until I finally saw rheumatologists who diagnosed me with ankylosing spondylitis — or AS — and put me on the road to recovery and really changed my whole life for the better,’ he said.
After being diagnosed with the inflammatory condition in his early twenties, the Grammy-winning singer had to learn to cope with the often debilitating pain as he pushed his career forward.
Upon getting the proper diagnosis and treatment for his condition, Reynolds shared that it allowed him to perform to basically his full capacity, though it is still something he deals with every day.
Whatever it takes: Reynolds was initially tipped off that something was wrong after he experienced ‘unexplained pain,’ that was not linked to an injury.
Candid chat: The Whatever It Takes singer said the whole process has been full of ‘mixed emotions,’ as he called it ‘scary and overwhelming,’ to hear that he had a disease
‘It’s a battle that I have every day when I wake up,’ he said, ‘But I have a treatment plan, I have people on my side. I have a community behind me.’
The Whatever It Takes singer said the whole process has been full of ‘mixed emotions,’ as he called it ‘scary and overwhelming,’ to hear that he had a disease.
‘It’s scary, it’s overwhelming, it’s a vulnerable thing to tell people…I have a disease.’
He continued, ‘The goal is to destigmatize that word so people understand that it’s not something to be ashamed of.’
Chronic pain: Though he has found the answers to his issues he shared ‘It’s a battle that I have every day when I wake up’ as he talked about living and performing through the pain; pictured September 2019
Equipped with the proper knowledge about his body, Reynolds is now striving to raise awareness about the condition.
He has now partnered up with Monster Pain in the AS to bring tangible change and information to people who are suffering.
‘I think that ankylosing spondylitis sounds so intimidating…[the goal is] to bring it to the mainstream, so that when people go to the doctor, they may have an idea.’
Whether it is discussing small exercises and stretches, or even changing up his diet plan, Reynolds is determined to show people that if he can deal with it and live an active life, so can they.
Imagine Dragons: Reynolds is the lead singer of the four person band that has won countless awards, including a 2014 Grammy for their hit single Radioactive; pictured 2016