Newly diagnosed but also have advanced DISH

Had acdf fusion surgery about a year ago. Dish disease throughout thoracic spine with connecting ossification and now MRI and CT scan shows AS and positive for gene hla-b27. First appt with rheumatologist in a couple weeks. Is there anyone out there dealing with both these diseases like me that can offer some tips/encouragement? This is hard to handle, pain and stiffness is unrelenting.