Hi Maggie,
We haven't met, I'm new here, my name is Sheila, my husband has AS. I am sorry you had such a terrible day. First advice I can give is go to another DR. get a second, third, fourth, whatever it takes until someone listens. My husband Mike went through the same thing for awhile. Our primary Dr. sucked, he pretty much made Mike think he was crazy and actually said he was over emotional because he got teary eyed out of pure frustration & pain one day in his office. Mike finally fired that DR and moved on. It has been tough because a lot of doctors haven't either seen this disease or have not seen the severity that Mike has. Many x-rays, MRI's, bone density tests, scans, blood work and being a guinea pig and pin cushion finally got Mike a diagnosis. The meds have also been a challenge, because what works for one person may not work for the next. He's been on every med you can imagine. Anyway, it's rough, but keep the faith and as I said keep fighting...the squeaky wheel gets the grease eventually. If you need to vent more, feel free, I'm sure I'll be venting in return. I don't feel the pain, but watching the man I love suffer on a daily basis and dealing with the mood swings of the meds and everything that goes with it, gives me plenty to vent about somedays. Take care, you'll be in my prayers! Sheila