Hi All,
I don't know where to start as i dont feel i belong here now. I was tod i had AS 2 years ago by my rheumy, then she moved overseas so i was referred to another rheumy. I saw him yesterday. He told me i dont have AS. What do you guys think. I am 44, have had back pain for over 10 years, then 2 years ago, the pain hit everywhere. I am HLAB27 Positive. I have a brother with AS and the pain in my chest and hips is shocking. The questions i have are about x-rays i have had in the past. Does anyone know what any of it means:-
1) I have Bilateral Sacroilitis
2) Seronegative Spondy Loarthropathy
3) Anterior Spondylotic lipping is seen at L2/3 to L4/5
4) Narrowing of the L4/5 disc
5) Spondylotic bone reaction.
I looked up what i could, and it all leads to AS, especially the first 2. I also have limitation of flexion in the cervical spine.
This doctor that i saw yesterday told me i have no inflammation even though a bone scan showed inflammation in my thoracic spine, shoulders and hip joints. Does ther have to be swelling to be inflammation? I have never had any swelling anywhere. His reasons for saying i dont have AS are:-
1) Blood work is fine
2) He couldnt find swelling or inflammation
3) I have been on methotrexate, salazphrin, arava and gold injections with no success
4) He thinks my x-rays mean nothing
He told me i have fibromyalgia, and ok, i already knew that!! FM is not an inflammortory disease, so why does celebrex help?
Sorry for so many questions, i just dont think he is right and im looking for answers i suppose.
If you can answer any of these questions i would really appreciate it. This place has been a life line the last 2 years. You have all answered questions better than any doctor.
Shirl.
