By way of an update, I finally decided to write this doctor a letter. It took me a long time to write the letter because my early versions sounded very annoyed with the doctor and I knew a gentler approach would be better heard by him.

Finally, I managed to write a letter to the doctor in which I was just sharing information with him, not telling him off. I printed out this emedicine article on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropy and included it with my letter: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2700.htm Since the article is written by and for doctors, I hoped he would read it and believe it.

I dropped the letter and article off about three weeks ago and haven't heard back from the doctor and am guessing I never will. Still, I feel better for giving him the information. My concern was with the next patient he sees who has AS or Undif Spondy. My hope is that he will recognize the disease next time and at least that patient will get appropriate treatment from him.

Karen

I cannot make the universe obey me. I cannot make other people conform to my own whims and fancies. I cannot make even my own body obey me.

Thomas Merton



Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words - and never stops at all.

Emily Dickinson