How important is diagnosis?

As the title states; I’m wondering how it can help me to receive this diagnosis. My biological father had a very severe case, his spine was rigid by his early 30’s. I have two children.

Because I never met my bio-dad, and because my mom informed me that this was a boys-only, teenage-onset disorder I never considered my chronic back pain anything but “bad luck” and never looked into it.

I have been “tweaking” my back since I was 11. Days of debilitating pain, inability to move. At age 47 I have been having what I believe to be a a flare for about a month.

I have struggled with HS my whole life; I recognized enthesitis as soon as I heard it described. (I just thought I had hot heels!)

Every morning I have to walk a mile before my body functions. I feel like taking ANY days off exercise sends me into a tailspin.

I was recently put on meloxicam & it has helped a ton! But I’m worried about taking it long term for HSD pain only

It feels daunting - so - is it worth it?