Hi Amanda, first of all, I'm quite impressed that your rheumy sent you to a chiro. I swear by my chiro and the beneficial effects on my overall well being (not to mention my mobility) that I experience after I see her.
Secondly, I'm surprised that your chiro would negate AS simply because of a lack of xray evidence. It is becoming increasingly clear to many in the medical community that this one criteria for AS dx must be rethought, as not everyone has xray visible evidence of the disease - most especially women, who have a tendency not to show any visible signs until child bearing years are coming to an end. Some of the world's top researchers are in the process of reassessing the diagnostic criteria because of this.
On the other hand, because of your relative youth, I am not surprised at the lack of xray evidence. Back in 91/92 (age 27), I was in full blown AS flare, but because I had no xray visible damage, I was not diagnosed with AS (even tho I was being seen by a chiro, opthie and GP for treatments for the various symptoms). Ten years later, in 2001 (age 37), my chiro found evidence of damage on an xray and set me on the road to diagnosis.
Spina Bifeda Organization This is the website for the Spina Bifeda organization. According to what I read there, it is entirely possible for you to have been born with spina bifeda but be undiagnosed, as there is a form of it that is so mild in its effects that it goes uncaught.
Both AS and Spina Bifeda Occulta could account for what you've been experiencing and I would suggest that you pursue testing for each so that you can determine the proper course of treatment.
There are answers out there, Amanda. It's simply a matter of trying to weed through them all to find the right ones. OK, maybe 'simply' isn't the right word, as there's nothing 'simple' about it, but you know what I mean.
Hugs,
